Episode Nine: The Better Angels of Our Nature (1865)))

1. Where did the phrase “reconstruction” come from?

Once Lincoln knew that they (The Union) had won the war, he began to plan the process of rebuilding the country, this proces was called “Reconstruction”. Reconstruction occurred after many bloody battles of war. Lincoln and other generals discussed on how Reconstruction would operate, there were many questions; “How would the South be brought back into the Union?”, “What should be done to help the newly freed men and women become useful citizens?” and “How were the defeated white Southerners leaders to be treated?” Lincoln then decided he wanted Reconstruction to be carried out in a friendly, helpful way. In conclusion, the phrase “Reconstruction” came from Lincoln’s process of bringing the Union (North) and Confederates (South) together into a united nation.

2. What were the purposes of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments?

After the Civil War, three important amendments were passed to help with “Reconstruction”. Here are two:

14th Amendment-This amendment was adopted in  1868. This amendment gave equal protection to all americans. It greatly expanded the protection of civil rights to all citizens of america.

15th Amendment- This amendment was passsed in 1870, this amendment said that all citizens have the right to vote.  It granted all African American men the right to vote. This amendment said that citizens would not be denied on account of race, or color.

These amendments made the Constitution stronger and better, they connected the things that had been incorrect in the Constitution 1789. Slavery finally came to an end.

3. What were the Jim Crow laws and how did they affect the lives of southern blacks?

The Jim Crow laws separated blacks from the whites from each other. Blacks and whites could use the same types of equipment, but each equipment would be designated to either “White Only” , or “Colored”.  Southern blacks were forced to use the old resources while the whites used the brand new equipment. This affected the Southern Blacks in many ways, they were still being discriminated. Some examples of what happen to the African Americans were: Blacks had to use separate fountains and black children attended different schools than white children. The Jim Crow laws were passed from the local governments (in the South)  segregating the whites from the blacks. The Jim Crow laws were legal during the late 1800’s and early1900’s.

4. What did “separate but equal” mean?

Seperate but equal may sound like a good thing, but  “seperate but equal” is not equal. “Seperate but equal”, was a passed belief in the United States Constitutional law that permitted the system of segregation. This authorized ct  allowed services facilities and public accomadations to seperate the race of people.

5. Why do we commemorate wars?

We commemorate wars to honor those who have served in war and to those who sacrificed their lives to save their country. Commemorating the wars informs the citizens  on how important the war was, and make them realize some things that they have never thought of before.  Setting up a memorial, ceremony, or observation is a good way to to recognize the soldiers of war and is the best way to show your respect for them.

6. How is it important to a country and to its veterans?

Commemoration is important to a country and to its veterans because it can really make the veterans realize what an impact they have done to their country. It really shows them how much they have done. Showing a commemoration to a country and its veterans really shows recognition and respect to those who served for the country.

Episode Eight: W@r is All H3LL)))

1) What was the significance, respectively, of the fall of Savannah, Charleston, and Richmond?

All three cities were important to the Confederacy. Once a city was taken down and captured, it could affect the whole Confederacy. (That’s why Ulysses Grant planned on capturing Richmond; hoping to cause a great impact on the Confederates to win the Civil War. The significance of the Fall of Savannah, Charleston, and Richmond, was to lead the Union to victory.  These three cities were the three populated cities that caused major influences.

2) What was the importance of the Freedmen’s Bureau?

Freedmen’s Bureau was a very important act during the “Reconstruction”  of the United States after the Civil War. It increased the rights for African-Americans, 4000 schools were open to the blacks because of this act. All these schools educated 250,000 African-Americans. 21% of the blacks could read by 1870. This act was established by Congress, this provided 4,000,000 African-Americans to independence.  The Freedman’s Bureau also supplied the slaves eith medical care and food. This was the Great transition for blacks to go from slavery to freedom.

3) Compare and contrast Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address with his Second Inaugural Address.

When Lincoln gave his speech at the Gettysburg convention in 1863, he believed the war a had a certain purpose. Lincoln knew there were too many people dieing in battle, but Lincoln believed the terrible war had a purpose. The purpose that it must give a new birth to the dream. (The dream that people are created equal.) He gave this speech after the battle to inform citizens about war and what to be aware of.

In 1864, Lincoln’s self-esteem seemed to be different, Lincoln was more confident with his words and decisions at the Second Inaugural Address than his speech at Gettysburg. Lincoln knew that he saw the real purpose for the war, that it had a different purpose – the purpose that slavery would end, even after all the deaths of the citizens. (He though this happened all  because of God’s mysterious ways.

4)What is the theme of each?

After learning about the two addresses, the theme of each event were both different. Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address was an opportunity to try to explain the meaning of the war to the Northerners. This happened after the big battle at Gettysburg, (led by George. G. Meade). The Second Inaugural Address, Abraham Lincoln told the American people (North and South) that he wanted peace, he wanted everybody to be kind and generous toward each other. This happened after Lincoln won re-election against McClellan.  If you look in to each subject deeper and closer, both Addresses featured Lincoln trying to tell the people what to do. Lincoln was trying to direct the Americans, and suggesting what they should do next.

5)How do they differ?

The Gettysburg Address and the Second Inaugural differed in a few ways. First of all the two events happened because of different reasons. The Gettysburg Address occurred because Lincoln was invited to a Ceremony to make a “few appropriate remarks” just after the Battle of Gettysburg. (Lincoln used this opportunity to try and explain the meaning of the war). The Second Inaugural Address happened because of Lincoln’s tremendous victory for presidential election. After Sherman’s siege at Atlanta, Lincoln won re-election resulting to the “Reconstruction” of the United States. Another difference between the two is that Lincoln had Different purposes for doing what he did at each event. At the Gettysburg Ceremony, Lincoln was not what the people came for, they came to hear Edward Everett, the main speaker of the event. At the Second Inaugural speech, Lincoln was the man people came for, it was Lincoln’s speech that drew everybody in to attend the inauguration.

Episode Seven:Most Hall0wed Ground (1864)

1) Who was nominated by the Democratic Party for president in 1864?

General George B. McClellan was nominated by the Democratic Party for president in 1864. Democrat McClellan was one of  Lincoln’s top commanding generals in the Civil War who led great battles. McClellan called himself a peace candidate. He said he would end the war quickly. He didn’t think slavery should be allowed in western territories, although he had no guaranteed intention he would abolish slavery in the South once he won the election. McClellan’s supporters called him a great general who had been misunderstood by the president. On the other side, his opponents (Lincoln’s supporters) said McClellan meant the end of the Union which was right. Think about all the times McClellan hesitated in war to fight, and think of all the experience Lincoln has already had with the four past years of presidency and all the decisions he has made with the war.

2) Why did Lincoln choose a Democrat for a running mate?

Lincoln had to do something he has never done before, win the popularization election and win. Lincoln needed to win the re-election in 1864 in order to restore the United States back together, and he knew there was a big chance in losing against his opponent McClellan. Lincoln chose a Democrat for a running mate for the extra support from the Democrats. Lincoln’s former running mate Hannibal Hamlin was a Republican, he already knew that he would gain the support for this politic group. That’s why Lincoln eventually chose Andrew Johnson to be his running mate. It was argued and noted that all Lincoln needed was the votes of those who previously supported the Democratic Party in the North. Johnson was a Southern Senator who just didn’t agree with slavery. He refused to join the Confederacy and made it clear that he was fighting for the Union. To be brief Lincoln chose a Democratic running mate because he needed the support of the Democratic groups in the north for votes to win the presidential election. At the same time Lincoln was looking for a Democratic leader who was against slavery and Johnson was the man who left the Confederacy to support his own belief in the Union.

3) What did it demonstrate about the Republicans’ faith in Lincoln’s popularity?

This demonstrated that the Republican’s faith in Lincoln’s popularity wasn’t as high as McClellan’s. People thought that Lincoln wasn’t doing a great job as president to end the Civil War. Northern people were starting to get sick of he war, people were losing their sons every morning. As a result, they blamed it all on the president. Many Northern people started to lean towards McClellan’s side of the campaign. People just wanted the war to end, and that’s just what McClellan was telling the people he would do. If Lincoln did not have a Democratic running mate, most Democratic votes would have went to McClellan and Lincoln would have most likely lost the election. The Union would come to an end.

4) Why was Lincoln pressured to drop emancipation as a condition for peace with the South?

Lincoln was pressured to drop the Emancipation Proclamation act as a condition of peace with the South because of the many casualties occurring during the war. (He was also pressured to drop Emancipation Proclamation because he knew he was going to lose against McClellan.)During war, the country grew weary of the killing. People were getting tired and exhausted through the overuse of soldiers. Over 130,000 African-Americans were fighting for the Union, and he did not want to betray them. Lincoln though about the “promise of freedom”, and he knew the promise must be kept.( The “promise of freedom” was the promise to end slavery and to free the black people) Fortunately Lincoln flatly refused to end Emancipation Proclamation, along with  Generals Grant, and Sherman. He believed the war would continue and become even bloodier because the south would never, on its own eliminate slavery.

5) What other factors were hurting Lincoln’s chances for re-election?

One factor that was hurting Lincoln’s chance for re-election was the fact that people were starting to refuse in believing him. People knew that so many people were dying in war because of Lincoln and his own decision. Another factor was McClellan saying he would immediately end the war with the South. People were starting to believe McClellan would lead to peace and our own independence.  Everyone was tired of the war, many people no longer cared about the Union anymore. Some just didn’t care about slavery anymore. A miracle would have to happen in order for Lincoln to win the re-election, and that’s just what happened – Sherman captured the city of Atlanta.

6) What implications can be drawn from Lincoln’s landslide victory?

Lincoln won 91% of all the votes against McClellan. People now knew that Lincoln was a man to trust, they believed he was strong and determined. Although there were some implications than can be drawn from Lincoln’s landslide victory. The victory ensured that the war would be continued without yielding to any Southern concessions. There would be more casualties and deaths from Emancipation Proclamation, many more people would die.

7) What were conditions like at Andersonville Prison?

Conditions at the Andersonville Prison were harsh and depressing. Stockades ( an enclosed protected wall) were crowded with prisoners. Prisoners used whatever resources they could find to survive. Andersonville prison was mostly known as the “prison Camp” of the Civil War. It only took a few months for the establishment to gain a horrid sight and smell – it was so horrible that prisoners who entered the gate for the first time would vomit. Conditions were horrible, nearly 50,000 men died in the Andersonville Prison during the Civil War.

8 ) Why are there prisoners taken during wartime?

Prisoners are taken during wartime by the opponents of the other side. Prisoners are usually taken to fight against their own team, or to be tortured and abused. In this scenario, Southerners created the prison to hold Northerners as captives as an effort to win the war. But the Main reason why prisoners were taken during the Civil War was because the Confederates needed a site where prisoners could be guarded by a fewer amount guards. Another reason was so that there would be less of a chance of the Northern military raids to free them. Finally, so that the Confederacy would have an abundant supply of food for themselves.

9) What obligations do captors have to their prisoners?

In my opinion, obligations of a captor to their prisoners may vary. If a captor needs the prisoner alive for information or evidence, they should occasionally care and feed for the prisoner (They should give them food and water once in a while to keep them alive.). But if a captor takes a prisoner as an attack to hurt the opponent (just like what the Confederacy did to the Union), than they should have to monitor their prisoners to prevent fugitives. There are many obligations a captor must have to their prisoners, they should be; responsible for feeding their prisoners once in a while, and always monitor the prisoners to prevent any escapes.

Episode Anim:Valley ng Shadow of Death

1. How did supplies reach troops during the Civil War?

Supplies were very limited during the Civil War, supply trains couldn’t just go to the fields (where soldiers were traveling) to nourish the soldiers. Most armies were forced at some point to live off the land they were around with. These soldiers were so desperate that they had to steal to live.  Some would steal supplies from townspeople and take them by force. Men would gather food from the farms of others, and when they couldn’t use it- they would burn it so others wouldn’t be able to get it. People were greedy and harsh with their supplies, they were destroying their own country.

2. What types of supplies would troops need in order to fight a war?

Generally speaking, the types of supplies troops would need in order to fight a war would be food, water, weapons, and shelter. Troops need food and water for energy and survival during traveling. Food and water was very sacred during the Civil War, soldiers and armies would raid townspeople homes for food. Some parties only source of refreshment is water from the muddy James River.        Another type of supplies troops need to fight in war are weapons, you can’t just run out in war and expect to kill people without a weapon. To be specific the weapons needed to fight in war are: guns, cannons, rifles, knifes, horses, swords bombs and a uniform (so you don’t accidentally kill someone else on your side.) The correct supplies are a necessity when it comes to war.

3. How did the Union blockades affect the flow of supplies into the South?

The Union blockade took place between 1861 and 1865 when the Union Army designed a blockade to prevent the passage of trade goods, supplies, and arms to and from the Confederacy. The closure consisted of 3,500 miles of the Confederate coastline. The Union blockades greatly affected the flow of supplies in the South. The blockade disrupted distribution of food and denied the Confederacy revenue from exporting raw cotton and other staple products. Throughout the war, the South had usually had a plentiful amount of supplies to grow and eat, now that the blockades took place Lee’s army nearly always was short of supplies as the war progressed into its final two years. The Union blockade was a powerful weapon that eventually ruined the Southern economy, it greatly slowed down the flow of supplies in the South.

4. The Civil War often split families apart. Where do you think one’s loyalty should lie– with one’s family or one’s country?

The Civil War often splits the families apart, I think that a person’s loyalty depends on their position. There are different reasons for one’s loyalty. If one has a family to tend and support for, they should be loyal to their family. If one has no family to care and support for, they should be loyal to their country. Everybody has a different position their position helps guide them into the right direction.

5. Trace Sherman’s advance through the South. Which major cities lay in his path?

During Sherman’s advance through the South, there were a few major cities that lay in his path. The first and most important city that was in the way of Sherman was Atlanta. Sherman captured Atlanta on September 2 which led to Lincoln’s presidential victory in re-election. In December, Sherman took the city of Savannah. From Atlanta to Savannah Sherman still destroyed everything between. These were the cities General Sherman captured during his advance, but here are the cities that lied in his path:

 

• Atlanta
• Savannah
• Charleston
• Chattanooga
• Johnston

6. Why do some southerners, even today, consider him the greatest villain of the war?

Some Southerners consider Sherman to be the greatest villain of The Civil War because he was one of the main reasons why the Union claimed victory for the civil War. During General Sherman’s march, he destroyed everything in his way. In 1864 General William T. Sherman forced the Confederates forces to evacuate the city. This assured Abraham Lincolns success in the presidential election against McClellan in 1864. Lincoln did win the re-election as president of the United States because of Sherman’s victory. Lincoln then rebuilt the country and ended slavery. Without Sherman and his great victories on devastating the south, Lincoln would have lost the election and American History would be completely different.

Episode Five: Ang Universe ng Labanan

1. Why was the Battle of Gettysburg such an important northern victory?

The Battle of Gettysburg was such an important victory because it was one of the closest oppurtunitys for the North to win the Civil War. The Union just waited patiently and shot all the Confederates as they marched up to attack the Union. After three days of bloody combat, the South lost because of an old strategy Lee attempted (the straight- up attack, Lee tried this with a short amount of soldiers.) After the battle Lee had no choice but to get his tired men home, there was no more talk of invading the North. The Confederates lost The Battle of Gettysburg, 28,000 men were killed, wounded or missing (one-third of the Confederate army), while the Union lost 23,000 of their army ( one- fourth). Once the news of the victory arrived in Washington, the city celebrates the glorious victory on the Union.

2. How did Lincoln view the victory?

Lincoln viewed the victory of the Battle of Gettysburg in ways others wouldn’t. Although this war had 51,000 casualties (people who died), Lincoln believed this bloody war had a purpose, he believes it must give a new birth to the dream (the dream that people can govern themselves; the dream that people are created equal.). Lincoln wrote and spoke a speech at the Gettysburg Ceremony to explain the meaning of the war. This speech lasted for only two minutes, once Lincoln finished there was not a sound, clap, nor cheer – Lincoln called this speech a complete failure. On the other hand people know this as one of the greatest speeches ever because Lincoln had no notes to guide him through his speech at all, he spoke from his heart.

 

3. Who took responsibility for the Confederate defeat?

General Lee, the great leader of the Southern Army is the man who took responsibility for the Confederate defeat. Lee blames no one but himself, he used and out-dated strategy; a straight up down-the-center frontal attack. General Lee was outnumbered, but he still took a big risk and gambled everything on this old-fashioned military charge. For two hours straight, the Rebels fired and marched toward the Union. The Confederates were daring, they kept on charging, as a result the South ended up losing. Although this wasn’t the end of Robert E. Lee, he was stubborn- he would not give up.

4. In what ways did women contribute to the war effort?

Women contributed to the war in many ways. Women supplied the army and soldiers with food and nourishment. Another effort women did was the preparation of cartridges both for muskets and cannons. Thousands have been made by women and this was only a little of  their labor. Women were cutting out and sewing flannel shirts for the soldiers. Other women made bandages and prepared lint (lint were used as paddings to cover wound.). They also ran the family, farms and formed sanitary commissions. Women were engaged with daily chores everyday, they made an extreme difference to the Civil War.

5. How do women participate in war today?

Women participate in war today the same way a man would. Women do everything a man would do today in battle. They would handle guns, maneuver machines, and march as soldier. Women do just as much things a man would do, they can play a big role in war and make a huge difference.

6. Have their roles changed?

Women’s roles obviously changed over time when you compare today to the 1800’s. Back then women were not allowed to fight in battle. In war today women who want to fight in war are allowed to. In the 1800’s women also had no right to vote. Because of the 19th amendment, women today are allowed to vote. Everybody today have equal right and aren’t discriminated by their gender.

7. What issues did the Civil War feminists address?

Some issues the civil War feminists addressed was the lack of acknowledgement for them. In the 1800’s, Women were not allowed to vote, the 15th amendment gave all the citizens the right to vote, although it did not mention whether women were citizens or not. Women were now demanding equal rights, they wondered why their freedom was controlled, they knew they were as smart and capable as men.

The Shakers during the Civil War had been called the first conscientious objectors.
8. What does conscientious objector mean?

The meaning of conscientious objector is one who refuses to serve in the armed forces on grounds of conscience because of religious, moral, and ethical reasons. Shakers believed in segregating and separating men and women. People believed women as the weaker gender, they make them do all the work in the house, where as men worked in fields or shops.

9. If the US issued a draft tomorrow, would you consider yourself a conscientious objector?

If the U.S. Issued a draft tomorrow I would be considered a conscientious objector. My belief is based on my religion and my religion does not kill people because of the 1st Commandment. There really isn’t a right of or wrong answer here because it depends on your own conscience.

10. Would it make a difference what the war was about?

Depending if you are a conscientious objector or not would not make a difference to what the war was about. The war’s main issue was slavery, the North wanted to free the slaves while the South wanted to keep slavery. Just because you have a certain ethnicity or religion to refuse to fight in the army doesn’t mean it will change the whole reason of what the war was about. Religion and race was not the reason for the Civil War, it was because slavery.

11. Is war morally right at certain times and morally wrong at others?

War is morally right at others at certain times because there are times where help is desperately needed. The government tries to recruit certain people they can for help to win the battle (also known as the conscription act). The time when war starts to be wrong at others is when they force the people to fight. People can’t object their religion as a conscientious objector because the government won’t believe you, they will just take you in either way. The only way to avoid being involved in the army is if you really show something to prove yourself that you really are true to what you have said about religion and beliefs.

3pisode 4: Simply Murder

1. Why did the North have to resort to conscription in 1863?

Conscription is the government’s power to draft or make a person serve in the army. Once the Northerners started to die from sickness/diseases due to unsanitary conditions,  the army started to deplete. This caused huge military losses and shortage of soldiers. The North resorted this conscription to gain more soldiers with an army experience for the Union Army. The act was seen unfair to the poor because this was a passed act making all men between the ages of 20 and 45 liable for military service and would only be avoided if paid a money fee. This was a complete downfall of freedom, but it was the only way to keep fighting.

2. Do you believe the government should have the power of conscription?

I believe that the government should have the power of conscription (conscription- also known as the Enrollment Act; a passed movement stating that men between the ages 20 to 45 are somewhat forced to fight in the military unless they pay a fee of $300) if it is really necessary. In other words, if it gets to the point where the amount of soldiers is very scarce. The government does have the power to make and approve laws, in this scenario President Lincoln wrote and created the Enrollment Act of 1863 (conscription act). For those who disagree, I would just like to say that if Lincoln or the government never even considered the power of conscription, the Union certainly might  have not lasted the Civil War.

3. At what point can the state impose on your liberty in order to defend the nation?

I think that the state can impose on your liberty in order to defend the nation when help is desperately needed. When the army starts to recruit anyone between the ages of 20 and 45 to fight in battle, this must mean that more soldiers are needed. Therefore, the state can impose on your liberty in order to defend the nation when war reaches the point where so many soldiers die that there is not enough to keep fighting. You may think that this is unfair, but it’s all for the safety of what you are fighting for.

4. What was the cause of the Richmond bread riots?

The cause of the Richmond Bread Riot was because of the shortage of food for men and women. Soldiers started to sleep and live in other homes that did not even belong to them. Soldiers would use and take up all the owners supplies. Then they would start to abuse their privileges and rights. Soldiers would just take owners crops, they would do this so much that there would be no more food left for the owner and their family. Now would you like total strangers barging into your home, your personal life, and just use everything that belongs to you?

5. Why was the South so harshly affected by inflation?

The South was so harshly affected by inflation because of the noninterest treasury notes and supplies.  The Confederacy began to produce so much counterfeit money that it threatened to Confederacy to break apart. This inflation all began in May 1861; there had been an issue of $20 million of fake money they began to do this throughout the remainder of the year so that it had $105 million non -interest money.  This is what the Confederacy did to finance the war. Soon, dishonestly paid its expenses by issuing even more counterfeit money to pay for weapons and supplies. The South had to survive of counterfeit money and had a lot of trouble bearing through.

6. When did the Confederates begin using their own currency?

The Confederates began using their own money in April of 1861. After the Civil War had just broken out (1861), the newly established Confederate government began to issue its own money as legal tender to the citizens of the South. From then on, notes (what they called money) were issued on through 1864.

7. Who were the “Copperheads”?

The Copperheads were a secret organization hoping to end the Civil War. This Democratic group originally named themselves as Peace Democrats. They were opposed to the American Civil War, wanted the North to declare peace with the Confederates. Theses Democrats were mostly opposed to Lincoln’s administration of Emancipation Proclamation.

8. What ideals did they stand for?

The ideals the Copperheads stood for was to end the Civil War and create peace between the North and the South. These Copperheads were the Democrats, they were opposed to Lincoln’s administration of conscription- at the same time were sympathetic for the Southerners. However, their main goal was to end the war between brother and brother, and father and son.

9. How can a country in the midst of a civil war allow for freedom of expression?

A country in the midst of a civil war can allow for freedom of expression simply by communicating to the right places. When you want your opinion heard and acknowledged you need to know whom you can speak to, so the word is spread, or where to send your messages to actually do something about it.

ǝposıdǝ ǝǝɹɥʇ: Forever Free

Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant are known as the two great generals of the Civil War. 1.What traits did they exhibit?

Robert E. Lee

1.     Robert E. Lee was an aristocrat: dignified and tough, he was a man who rarely hesitated; this was an excellent trait for a general leader. His persistence is what took General McClellan’s army down in battle. He attacked; he fought for seven days straight, the two armies fought fiercely. He was also said to be known for his handsome respected general look. Soldiers were awed by him; they rushed into battle and died just for him. Lee was a political hero in the South – although he didn’t like slavery, he was devoted to his home states only (the South). It was hard for Robert E. Lee to turn against the North and join the Confederates. These were his words explaining his decision: “I cannot raise my hand against my birthplace, my home, my children.”

Ulysses S. Grant

1. Ulysses Grant was an everyday kind of fellow: he was soft-spoken and tough. Grant was very good at fighting; he was the general Lincoln was looking for- someone he could finally trust in battle. Lincoln tried many generals; unfortunately not one of them fought the way Lincoln thought they should. When Lincoln ordered McClellan to go after Lee, McClellan waited and sat for 19 days straight. He let the Confederate army get away. Each Northern general would lose battle and Lincoln would end up being blamed. That is why he favored Grant; he was the kind of general who didn’t worry about military theories. He just out killed or outlasted the enemy. Ulysses Grant fights, Lincoln could not spare this man.

2. What personality traits make a good leader?

2.   Some personality traits a good leader should have are the courage, leadership, and confidence to actually do something. Take Ulysses S. Grant for example, his courage to lead an army of 120,000 men and keep attacking the Confederates at the battle of the Wilderness. Although Robert E. Lee won this battle, Grant learned from his mistakes and soon decided to besiege Petersburg. There also must be a lot of leadership inside a good leader. Both Grant and Lee were able to be a leader and control many soldiers in war. And finally, a leader should have the confidence to actually do something at war. When George McClellan set out to invade Richmond, he began to lose confidence because of intimidation. This is the reason why he lost this big war (This was the Unions big chance to win the Civil War), Lee had enough confidence to keep marching on to fight. A leader of an army must exhibit excellent traits to become a superb leader.

3. What factors it difficult for Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation even though he was personally against slavery?

The Emancipation Proclamation was designed to help the Union win the Civil War and fight against slaveholders. Some factors that made it difficult for Lincoln for the issue of the Emancipation Proclamation were the contradictions. President Lincoln knew that he could not eliminate slavery without first saving the Union. He also knew he couldn’t save the Union without eliminating slavery. Lincoln was stuck in a tight corner, he did not believe he had the power to end slavery because it was evil, but he believed he could end it to preserve the Union.

4. Did he fear that freeing the slaves would mean the dissolution of the union?

Lincoln did fear that freeing the slaves would mean the dissolution of the Union. He knew that slavery was gradually bringing the whole nation apart. This issue was rapidly tearing the nations apart.  Once he freed the slaves it would no longer be enough to save the Union.

 5. Who were the abolitionists?

The abolitionists in this situation were the Northerners. The Northerners became abolitionists when the South demanded the Congress to pass a fugitive slave law. The law states Northerners had to return runaway slaves to their owners. Some specific abolitionists in the North included Abraham Lincoln (Was the leader of the Union, he fought for slave’s equal rights.), Harriet Tubman (Led all fugitives slaves to the North where all slaves could be free.), and Frederick Douglass (One of the few men who spoke out and wrote quotes to alert the people how terrible slavery was).

6. Where and when did the movement begin?

The Emancipation Proclamation began in September 22, 1862 and took place in America. This movement occurred during the Civil War was intended on bringing slavery to an end in the South. It declared the freedom of all slaves in any state of Confederate States of America.

7. How has this week’s episode helped you to understand the Civil War better?

This week’s episode has helped me understand the Civil War better in many ways. I learned about Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclamation and it’s meaning and purpose. The Emancipation Proclamation was written by Abraham Lincoln, it was made to help the Union win while declaring freedom for slaves. I also learned about abolitionists. Lincoln, Harriet Tubman, and Frederick Douglass were all abolitionists.

 

Episode Two- A very ʎpoolq affair

Research the major battles that occurred during the first part of 1862. 1. What were they? 2. Why were they so significant?

There were a few major wars that occurred during the first part of 1862, one was the “General McClellan’s  Campaign”. General McClellan’s Campaign was a journey (planned by the North) by boat all the way from Washington D.C to Richmond Virginia. [General George B. McClellen was appointed leader for this expedition, he has had many experiences with an army. McClellan organized an army of 100,000 men- the largest amount commanded by one man. The goal for this journey was to capture Richmond, the capital of confederacy. If Richmond fell, the Confederacy may collapse and the Civil War would be over. This war however failed because of fear and hesitation, McClellan’s confidence had been destroyed- he ordered his army to retreat. The Union Army went back to the North losing their chance to end the Civil War.]

Another major war was the Shiloh War. The Confederacy launched a surprise attack against the Union army but failed. This was the South’s opportunity for the Confederacy to earn a huge victory.

The last major war was the War between The Monitor and The Virginia (War at Sea). This was the war between the North and the South in sea, they fought with battle ships called “ironclads”. (Ironclad ships were ships coated with iron, these ships were durable and powerful.) The South secretly constructed a battleship called the “Virginia”. This was the South’s super weapon to destroy the North, the Virginia could sink every vessel in the North. What the South did not know was long before the launching, spies had informed the North navy department that the Virginia was being built. So the North also decided to secretly build its own ironclad vessel to counter the South’s attack: the “Monitor”. On March 9, 1862 the two ships met, they fought for four hours. The Virginia’s guns kept firing but the Monitor could not be hit. Neither ship went down and could not sink each other, the battle turned out to be a draw.

3. Why is the Civil War often considered to be the first modern war?

The Civil War is often considered the first modern war because of the unexpected changes of war behavior. (There were new weapons, and communication and transportation techniques This is the first war to use mechanical and electronic help (trains and telegraph). They finally had weapons that could shoot accurate and kill at half a mile).  People were expecting an orderly by-rule-fight. Unfortunately cities and farms were burned and civilian populations were terrorized.  Before this bloody war began, civilians who came to spectate for fun expected this battle to be controlled and civilized. Well it wasn’t, it turned out to be a total war. This was the first modern war and it got out of control.

Research the technology of war at the time — weapons, ships, transportation and medical practice. 4. Why were the casualties of the war so terribly high?

The casualties of war were terribly high because of the new techniques that were developed. (casualties- Someone injured, killed or captured in military engagement.) Soldiers fought with new rifled guns that could kill a man a half mile away. It is said that old rifle guns could be fired at you all day without you finding out. Soldiers would also communicate with others by playing the snare drum. They would tell them when to fire, march or cease fire. This communication could be heard from miles away. It took time for the Civil War Generals to adjust to the new weapons and technology.

Consider the quote from Frederick Douglass, “Any attempt now to separate the freedom of the slave from the victory of Government; any attempt to secure peace to the whites while leaving the blacks in chains will be labor lost.” 5. Discuss the meaning of the quotation.

When Frederick Douglass wrote this quote he was trying to urge the equal rights for slavery. Slavery has not come to an end yet. Whites were fighting for what they wanted and blacks were as well. Douglass was trying to speak out, he wanted people to be aware of the situation of slavery. If there is no struggle, there is no progress.

6. Could the war have ended without the freeing of the slaves?

The Civil War could not have ended without the freeing of slaves. Remember that slavery was the main issue of war, this is what started the fight between the North and the South. The South strongly believed in slavery, it was said to be a “sacred right of government”. On the other hand, the North disagreed. They believed slavery was evil, most people who were not enslaved did not realize how terrible this issue was. The South wanted to keep slavery and spread it around the world, the North wanted to end slavery for equal rights. The only option left was to fight in war and they would not give up until they got what they wanted.

7. How has this week’s episode helped you to understand the Civil War?

This episode helped me understand the new  techniques used  in war. There things each side used that has never been used in war before. This is why they called this the first Modern War of America.

 

Episode One- The Cause

1. Consider the events leading, directly or indirectly, to the Civil War. Was slavery the main issue for the war’s beginning?

Slavery was the main issue of war because there were many disagreements on slavery between the “Union” (The North)  and “Federal Union (The South). The south believed in slavery, they believed it was good for the nation and thought it was a system inspired by God. However the north (along with Abraham Lincoln) believed slavery was evil and would just produce more evil. The south strongly believed slavery was the creed of this world. They wanted to change everything- this included leaving the United States because of the North’s belief and their rebel. There were no more options for the North. If they wanted to survive and gain their true founding principles, there would have to be war.

2. What were other contributing factors?

Some other contributing factors to the war’s beginning was when the Southerners (a.k.a Rebels) believed in “states’ rights”. This was the belief that any of the states had the right to depart from the United States . The South said it was tyranny to keep states joined with them when they were against their wishes. To prove their point, the South created their own nation. Eleven southern states followed and left the United States. It was called the Confederate States of America, they elected their own president and a congress. The North would not let the South simply part away from the United States. Lincoln wanted to settle the decision whether a minority have the right to break up the government when they choose. The Northerners were willing to fight for the Union under one circumstance: once agreed to uphold the duties, no one could just pull out when they wanted. If they did, there would be no Union at all.

3. If slavery began in this country in 1619, why did it take 200 years for it to become such a divisive issue?

If slavery began in 1619, it took 200 years for it to become such a divisive issues because slavery was not as harsh and there were few people who rebelled. Most people who did not like slavery and were against it kept quiet. At first slavery sold an economic problem for planters: slaves made a cheap easy source of labor. And after the Revolutionary War, slavery grew harsher and harsher. People who weren’t enslaved did not realize how terrible this was. Northerners believed slavery was wrong and said the nation could not exist half slave and half free. Lincoln was also opposed to slavery, he believed that the Declaration of Independence was to be taken literally (“All men are created equal”). If these people did not step up to fight for their own rights, it would have taken more than 200 years to make slavery a divisive issue.

4. What specific events helped to make slavery an issue of public debate?

Some specific events that helped make slavery an issue of public debate war the Southern need of expanding slavery in the west. There were western lands coming into the country and Southerners wanted slavery to spread in this area to make slave territories in the west. Northerners disagreed with this thought. This scene led to the Civil War. The Civil War was between the North and the South fighting for their beliefs on slavery. More than 620,000 Americans died. This was the war between the states, Americans fighting Americans.

5. Why did white people in the South believe that their liberty required the continuation of slavery?

The white people in the south believed that their liberty required the continuation of slaves because they thought the way of their life depended on it. The Southerners belief of this so-called “Sacred right of government”  (sacred right of government is a God-given right) led to Civil War. The South said they were doing the same thing that George Washington, John Adams and other revolutionaries had done against King George: fighting for freedom. Southerners were fighting for white freedom, not considering the fact they were tyrannizing black people.

6. Do your students agree or disagree with Lincoln’s idea that in a constitutional democracy no section of the nation is free to break away–that to attempt to leave is rebellion.

Lincolns idea that in a constitutional democracy no section of the nation is free to break away and leave was reasonable and agreeable. Eleven southern states withdrew from the Union and formed their own nation- they also elected a president and a congress just because of their wishes to keep slavery. Lincoln’s stated that the attempt to leave was rebellion and chose to settle this now. The decision was to fight for the American form of Government- for the Constitution and for the Union.

7. Why did the spirit of compromise which had helped the nation avoid civil war in earlier crises totally break down by 1860?

The spirit of compromise finally broke down in 1860 because no one could agree with each other, the North and the South could no longer compromise.  There were those words in the Declaration of Independence- all men are created equal. It had turned out that not all people were equal in the United States. Both the Northern and Southern chose to fight at war for their faith and belief. Both nations were also too confident. The South were sure the Yankees (North) were all cowards. One political leader said he would use his handkerchief to wipe up all the Southern blood that would be spilled. They bragged and bragged to their wives and girlfriends as they marched off in their handsome gray uniforms. The Northern men on the other hand were just as confident. They knew the North had more men, more industry and more money. But what made them more confident was that they were sure the Southern Soldiers were lazy. Without their slaves they wouldn’t be able to do a thing. The Northerners boasted to their wives and girlfriends and marched off in their handsome blue uniforms. As a shot had been made from the Southern’s guns, the Civil War had been initiated.