Research Topics: Civil War Essays

NO TOPIC: AMERICAN CIVIL WAR

Events and Underlying Issues Fueling the American Civil War             The origins of the American Civil War lay in a complex issues of politics, arguments over the scope of the sights of the state versus federal power, slavery, expansionism, sectionalism, economics and modernization. Between the years 1800 to 1860, dispute between the North and the South grew more intense. One of their main disagreements was about the taxes (tariff) paid on goods brought into America from other countries. Southerners felt that the tariffs were unfair; they also felt that it was aimed at them due to their wider variety of imported good compared to the Northerners. In addition, taxes were placed on many Southern goods that were transported to foreign countries, an expense that was not always applied to Northern of similar or equal value. This was allowed by a rather awkward economic structure in states and private transportation companies which has considerably affected the Southern banks as they found themselves paying higher interest loans and rates with banks in the North. The situation grew worse after several “panics” such as one in 1857 which has affected more Northern banks than Southern. Southern financers found themselves burdened with high payments in order to save Northern banks that had suffered financial losses through poor investment.              In terms of politics, the years before the civil war were characterized by such that the political power in the Federal government which was centered in Washington, D.C. was changing. Accordingly, Northern and mid-western states became more powerful as their populations increased. Because the Southern population did not grow rapidly, they in turn lost political power. As one part or section of the nation increased greater than the other, the nation was divided. This was called sectionalism. The Southerners then felt that there was a growing need for freedom form the central Federal authority in Washington. They believed that the state laws carried out more weight than Federal laws and that they should abide by the state regulations first. This issue was referred to as “State’s Rights” and became a very hot issue in congress. It must also be noted that up to the 1860s, there were only a few in the South who wanted to apply the doctrine of secession to make a separate Southern country. However, moderates from both North and South kept hoping that their differences over tariffs, slavery and territories will be compromised in the forum of the United States Congress. Compromise was possible as long as no side controlled the Senate. Before, the Senate was perfectly balanced; however, the acquisition of new territories had begun a long and bitter struggle between the North and the South as to whether the new territories would enter the Union as free or slave states.             Another dispute between the Northerners and the Southerners and perhaps the most emotional one was over the issue of slavery. Since the early colonial period, slavery has been of life in America since America is an agricultural nation and accordingly, crops including cotton were in large demand all over the world. However, slavery is more acceptable in the South compared to the Northern states of America. Southern planters depend on their slaves to run their plantation and make them profitable. Cotton was a plant that grew well in the southern climate; however, it was a difficult plant to gather and process. As a result, labor in a form of slaves was used on these plantations to plant and harvest cotton, in addition to other plants such as sugar and rice. Many slaves were used to offer labor for the various household chores. The notion of slavery was one of the reasons for the fueling of the mutual distrust between the Northerners and the Southerners.             Many Northerners felt that slavery was uncivilized and that it should be abolished. These northerners were called “abolitionists” Abolitionists apparently disagreed with the Southern laws and beliefs regarding slavery. Nevertheless, slavery has always been a part in the Southern way of life for well over two hundred years and was protected not only by state laws but by Federal law as well. The Constitution of the United States guaranteed one’s right to own property and protected everyone against the seizure of property. Slaves were viewed as property in the Southern states since it was of primary importance to the economics of the Southern cotton industry.             There was complete contrast in the views of Northerners and Southerners regarding slavery. Southerners did not appreciate having told by Northerners, abolitionists in particular, that slavery was indeed totally wrong. This disagreement created much debate, mistrust and understanding. Reference:   Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

NO TOPIC: AMERICAN CIVIL WAR

Events and Underlying Issues Fueling the American Civil War The origins of the American Civil War lay in a complex issues of...

The Zulu and American Civil War: a Comparative Presentation

The Zulu and American Civil War: a Comparative Presentation                   Conflicts have many forms. It may be as simple as a disagreement, a sibling rivalry in the family, a bitter feud among friends, a clan jealousy, a gang fight, or a war between nations. All conflicts and wars have roots and reasons that are sometimes elusive to understand or even know. From ancient times to present, quarrels may have started from simple or even trivial differences and disagreements. Often, these small disputes, when ignored, have even escalated to a clash between ethnic groups bent on wiping out each other entirely.   The Concept of War In his book,  (1995) cited several theories on the origin of war. Although he employed the sociological, anthropological and psychological perspective of the nature of conflicts, it gives some insight into understanding man’s behavior. One of the cited theories is the competition theory, which states that organisms compete over scarce or limited resources. In the animal kingdom, this is seen in the form of neutralism, mutual inhibition, competition, amensalism, parasitism, predation, commensalisms, proto-cooperation, and mutualism. It can be noted that in this theory, competition does not necessarily result in violence; rather, in the case of multiple participating species, some groups tend to gravitate together against another competitor.  also cited in the same book that throughout history, war had been accepted as a normal way of ending arguments, disagreements and conflicts of interest between human groups. He further states that war is a trinity composed of (1) primordial violence, hatred, and enmity, (2) play of chance and probability, and (3) its element of subordination. Group selection as an evolutionary theory of war was described by   as a trait of a grouped species to unanimously decide or choose something because of its benefit or advantage to the group. This ‘good-for-the-species’ thinking is stated simply in the words ‘for the greater good’.  also cited in the same book that throughout history, war had been accepted as a normal way of ending arguments, disagreements and conflicts of interest between human groups. He further states that war is a trinity composed of (1) primordial violence, hatred and enmity, (2) play of chance and probability, and (3) its element of subordination. The 19th century anthropologists otherwise came to a different conclusion:  that the class struggles and wars were created because of the appearance of surplus production and socio-economic classes. In the history of mankind, there are many recorded as well as undocumented occurrences of war. They possess individual characteristics that are unique and used in association to their own identities. Among the numerous histories of wars, it could be assumed that the Zulu War and the Civil War of the United States are among the most popular wars in world history due to its historical implications and worldwide effects. This paper aims to enumerate the similarities and differences between the Zulu War and the Civil War. Specifically, a comparison of the armies, tactics, weapons, battles, commanders, politics, and strategies will also be provided in order to substantiate the report.   THE ZULU WAR               Also known as Anglo-Zulu War, the Zulu War was the battle between Britain and the Zulus in 1879 and occurred in eastern South Africa. The war is certainly similar and was preceded with the several previous conflicts and colonial wars took place in the African continent. Historical briefs state that this war possesses critical and complex origins, vague decisions, and other factors that led to bloody battles among the participants – the natives and the British forces.             However, facts state that the origin of the dispute lies mainly in the territorial problems as invasion and colonialism (1990). Back tracking in 1854, the territory was named as the republic of Utrecth. Then, the Boers received a deed of cession from king . A commission conducted a boundary survey to mark the limits of the territory in 1860 and to obtain Zulu but it failed. Here comes the invasion of  (brother of  the son of king ) to the town. This action led the assembly of several armies on the boundary headed by  There are many actions done to reconcile the differences of both parties. But the aggravating situation and the affecting factors are inevitable.             The British are in search of trade and profit when they saw Zululand (2002). Then, they sprung up on the southern boundaries of the land. They adopted the “forward policy” in order to bring up other British colonies. With the consequences of succeeding events, the conflict came into a state of aggravation. Prior to the war, the Tugela River marked the boundary of the British colony and the Zulus. When  became the king, he formed 40,000 to 60,000 men because he did not submit into British supremacy. He received an ultimatum from Natal to disband his troops and pay damages for the alleged insult that he made (2000). When he did not responded, British forces headed by Lord Chelmsford attacked them. As the bottom line of the history, there is a presence of land acquisition and territorial colonialism, ideological conflict, and battle of principles and ancestral domains by among the mentioned characters.   Politics, Commanders and Armies, and Tactics             With different intervention and attempts, the political rule of  to the Zulus revived the military of his uncle , which is another influential individual throughout the history (1990).  succeeded in making his army units equipped with firearms. Under his rule, there are actions in inducing the Kaffirs in the Transkei to raise war. There is also assistance offered to allies like  in his fight against the Transvaal. Overall,  rule is tyrannous. The tension between the ruling party and the Transvaal persisted and when Britain entered in 1877 for the Transvaal, they suffered and lived with the current problems.             After the issuance of an ultimatum by the lieutenant-governor of Natal in February of 1878 on the issue of boundary, the Cetshwayo rule neglected it (2000; 2002). In January 1879, the British force under the leadership of Lieutenant General , 2nd  invaded Zululand. The British have a total of 5000 Europeans and 8200 Africans forces directly commanded by him while 1400 Europeans and 400 Africans are stationed in Utrecht. The British troops attacked Zululand in three columns – Lower Tugela, Utrecht, and Rorke’s Drift.              has a total of 40,000 men. The British entry was opposed. The Rorke’s Rift advanced near Isandlwana and Lord  divide the forces to move out and support another allies. Upon his departure, Colonel  camp was surprised by the immediate attack of nearly 20,000 Zulu armies. The other attacks became more intense.             For the Zulus, they carried an offensive attack by deploying their popular “buffalo horns” (1990). It composed of the following elements: the “horns” or bordering right and left wing elements to surround and pin the enemy – consist of the younger troops, the “chest” or the primary central force – prime fighters, and the “loins” or reserves – older veterans. The Zulu forces developed their encirclement tactics to cope up with the attacks of the combatants. They also controlled their troop movement by having some tricky elements like three points attacking in the encirclement battle. The Zulu armies obtained a higher command status and unit leadership.             Provided with the aforementioned strengths, they loss the battle. With the cooperation of all forces, the British gained a victorious ending with about 100 men killed as to compare 12,000 to 15,000 Zulu armies. This is the fall of the Zulus. After the war, there is a hard reorganization and everyone suffered the aftermaths.    Weapons and Results               According to records as well as to the imaginary assumption of the existing living condition of the period, it could be said that the weapons of the people are not exactly the same as of today (1999). The European troops are armed with modern armors and artillery. They are supplemented with allies and levies – locals and natives.             Historically, the warfare of the Zulu forces was ritualistic and ceremonial in nature. When  rise in power, he adapted a number of tribal practices (1990). Thus, the practical problems of military command throughout the ages played a part in organization of the Zulu fighting machine. Even though they have a great number of people, confidence, unit leadership, and mobility, the problem in the modern weaponry hindered them. Thus,  introduced new kinds of traditional weapons. He threw the long and light weapon and substituted it with a heavy and short spear. He also utilized larger and heavier cowhide protection. Then, he trained his men to be more effective in combat. He was praised for the fact that he combat their enemies with barefoot. But even though the Zulu armies are not upgraded in their military equipments, they are considered one of the most astonishing native victories of the colonial period because of the bravery that they shown. With the brutal motives of , there are major changes in the weapons, organizations, and tactics. Logistics also developed as dependent to the current changes in the army. Further, the age-grade regimental system is dominant.             The use of modern arms by the British forces caused the Zulus to fall even with their large number of people. Their number was not equivalent to the modern firearms and artillery. Thus, they failed the war.               THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR               “…but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive, and the other would accept war rather than let it perish, and the war came.”   , 2nd Inaugural Address 4 March 1865 ( 2006)     Of all the considerable factors that contributed to withdrawal of Southern States from the Union and Civil War, the role of slavery and race in motivating both Southerners and Northerners usually draws the most attention and the hottest debate ( 1996). Certainly political and economic concerns played their part, yet these hinged invariably on issues and competing interests that arose from slavery and the institutions as well as the ideals built upon that institution. Many “unreconstructed Southerners” continue to insist that the sectional conflict originated over states’ rights, not slavery, although these people seldom complete the thought by specifying which “rights” they mean ( 1996). This reasoning usually entails the arguments that few white Southerners owned slaves and therefore had no interest in preserving the institution, and that most white Northerners were racist and did not initially invade Dixie for any desire to free African Americans. Although truth exists in both of these assumptions, an enormous amount of scholarship on these very issues points to the centrality of slavery and race in the coming of the war. The American Civil War is a sectional feud between the Confederate States of America and the United States of America. It is considered as the largest historical event that extensively came into view in American public consciousness.  As what was noted by  (2000), over a hundred years after the first shot was fired, “its genesis is still fiercely debated and its symbols heralded and protested.” The Civil War shoved a great deal of reexamination on federalism, civil rights, and democratic-republicanism. As for people’s perception, the war translated the American regime from a federalist system based on freedom to a centralized state that circumscribed liberty in the name of public order.             The Civil War has significantly and enormously influenced the centralization and nationalization of the American federal system. It settled incessantly the national concern over whether a state could constitutionally separate from the Union. The Northern states wanted a centralized government while on the other hand; Southern states wanted a decentralized form. In depth analysis depicted that slavery is was one of the primary reasons for these contradicting concerns (1998).              Historically, the reasons of the war range from the complexity of political issues, competing understanding of the principles of slavery, federalism, expansionism, sectionalism, economics, modernization, and competing ideas of nationalism of the Antebellum period ( 1999). As recorded, a total of 970,000 casualties (about 3 percent of the total population) including 560,324 deaths.    Commanders and Armies             In totality, the participants of the two forces are former military men and products of the United States ( 1994). According to the records of the U.S. War Dept., (no date), the leaders and soldiers of the war are:             South – includes military commanders and strategists such as P.G.T.    North –   Tactics, Weapons, Politics, and Results             Considering the fact that the most military leaders of the war are graduates of the United States in West Point, they both posses the same characteristics inherent in the academy. Armies and Navies used tactics characterized by massing forces collectively in large formations to convey the greatest possible military capability to abide on an enemy. However, the only significant difference to note is the fact that they differ in purposes in fighting. Confederates are fighting for liberty and independence from a tyrannous leadership while the Union is for the preservation of the nation (1994).  The American Civil War is appropriately called as “the first modern war” in the history. With this premise, it could be deemed that there is a fast development of the previous armors and artillery being used.             After the admitted defeat of the Confederate forces, the war ended. But the war had lasting aftermath to the American politics and culture as a whole (2003). It could also be deemed that it created a bigger effect in the global perspective. The conflict of interests and ideology is among the underlying principle to the politics of the war. The aims of ending slavery, movement towards economic progress, and leadership dominance complicate the internal relation of the states. The results of the war paved way to the period of reconstruction   Synthesis             The Zulu War of Africa and the American Civil War possess many attributes in common but unique in the given period of time and location. They involved many number of armies, utilized and developed various innovation in weaponry and military tactics, and the results paved way to upward movement of the nation. However, there are also some differences in participants and motives of the war as presented in the reports and findings above.     Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

The Zulu and American Civil War: a Comparative Presentation

The Zulu and American Civil War: a Comparative Presentation Conflicts have many forms. It may be as simple as a dis...

American History

American History   East Civil War             It has been reported that the American Civil War caught both sides unprepared, with both the Union and the Confederacy had to build their armies practically from scratch ( 2006). Both sides sought a quick victory focused on the respective nearby capitols of Washington, D.C. and Richmond, Virginia, but neither side would surrender their national identity cheaply ( 2006). In addition, even after the First Battle of Bull Run, many were slow to accept that war would last much longer than a single campaign, spilling across the continent, and even to the high seas ( 2006). Much of the resources of America would be consumed before it would be resolved ( 2006).             Because of the fierce resistance of a few initial Confederate forces at Manassas, Virginia in July 1861, a march by Union troops under the command of Maj. Gen. on the Confederate forces, there was halted in the First Battle of Bull Run, or First Manassas, whereupon they were forced back to Washington, D.C. by Confederate troops (2006). Alarmed at the loss, and in an attempt to prevent more slave states from leaving the Union, the U.S. Congress passed the Crittenden-Johnson Resolution on July 25 of that year, which stated that the war being fought to preserve the Union and not to end slavery (2006). Although the Union troops enjoyed an early advantage, driving the Confederates back, the tide turned that afternoon (2006). Col. inspired his Virginia brigade to withstand a strong Union attack and timely reinforcements arrived by railroad from Johnston’s army (2006). The green Union soldiers began to fall back and it turned into a panicky retreat, with many running almost as far as Washington (2006). The Union defeat at First Bull Run shocked the North and a new sense of grim determination swept the United States as military and civilians alike realized that they would need to invest significant money and manpower to win a protracted, bloody war (2006).             The war continued and included the states of Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, the District of Columbia and the coastal fortifications and seaports of North Carolina (2006). It includes the campaigns that are generally most famous in the history of war, if not for their strategic significance, but for their proximity to the large population centers, the major newspapers, and the capital cities of the opposing parties (2006). With the development of the war, the Union Army suffered 13,000 casualties and the Confederates lost 10,000, and the difference in manpower between the two sides now becoming more noticeable, the Union consisted of 23 states and 22,000,000 people, the Confederacy had only 9,000,000 people (including 3,500,000 slaves) ( 2006).  Abolitionist Movement             It has been reported that the abolitionist movement is the reform movement during the 18th and 19th centuries, which is often called the antislavery movement and seeks to end the enslavement of Africans and people of African descent in Europe, the Americas, and Africa itself ( 2006). The Revolution set in motion actions in every state to abolish slavery, and although it succeeded in the northern states by 1804, the emancipation was so gradual that there were still a dozen “permanent apprentices” in the 1860 census ( 2006). The principal organized bodies to advocate this were the Society of Friends, the Pennsylvania Antislavery Society, and the New York Manumission Society ( 2006). In the 1820s and 1830s, the American Colonization Society was the main vehicle for proposals to eventually do away with slavery and had a broad support nationwide ( 2006). In addition, a radical shift came in the 1830s led by , who demanded “immediate emancipation, gradually achieved” and demanded that slave-owners repent immediately, and set up a system of emancipation ( 2006). In the South, the blacks were eventually be given freedom for abolitionists continued to pursue the freedom of slaves in the remaining slave states and to better the conditions of black Americans generally, in accordance to the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863 ( 2006). In addition, the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment in 1865 officially ended slavery ( 2006). The abolitionist movement helped many slaves to be freed and helped each to realize their plight as being inferior to white Americans during those times. The abolitionist movement became a way wherein many slaves were given human rights, as before the emancipation era, most slaves or black Americans were maltreated and abused. With the help of the abolitionist movement, which lead to the emancipation of the slaves, it has somehow given them “freedom” for a very short while. For a short while, the blacks were given the right to vote and participate in national elections, but many whites again, took away this right from the blacks. In a way, it has open a window to freedom, as when the whites tried to take away their freedom, many leaders, such as Martin Luther King, Jr. lead many blacks to support him in his cause. This is to fight for their freedom and to stand up for equality among race, gender and skin color. It has also paved a way for other movements in different parts of America to be established and be supported by many.             During the emancipation era, many blacks were killed as compared to the times of slavery, which led to the realization of the community and society to take action, for most are killed without judicial or legal trials (.). This matter has awakened the conscience of the public and has lead to justification of the whites by giving reasons. One reason for these merciless killings is that blacks are accused of planning an insurrection against the whites, so many were murdered to stop it. Another reason is the blacks’ participation from national elections (.). Their situation was devastating, for the government has given them the right but could not protect them from having it. The third reason was the incidence when a slave makes a romantic relationship with a white woman, even if the relationship is voluntary (.). The blacks were accused to be rapists and assailants of womanhood (.). From these accusations and injustices, many concerned citizens, including white men and women stood up for human rights and helped many black families. By setting a good example, they had encouraged many other citizens, even from other states and other countries to uphold human rights and to promote equality among race. This has changed the political dialogue of the era, as many leaders emerged and many movements to fight for equality came about. The rights of the blacks were gradually given importance by the whites and more citizens around the world, especially in the United States have become more culture sensitive. While the abolitionist movement’s greatest achievement was certainly the liberation of millions of black people from servitude, it also reflected the triumph of modern ideas of freedom and human rights over older social forms based on privileged elites and social stratification ( 2006).                   Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

American History

American History East Civil War It has been reported that the American Civil War caught both sides unprepared, with bo...

The American Wars: a Creative Presentation

The American Wars: a Creative Presentation                   Conflicts have many forms. It may be as simple as a disagreement, a sibling rivalry in the family, a bitter feud among friends, a clan jealousy, a gang fight, or a war between nations. All conflicts and wars have roots and reasons that are sometimes elusive to understand or even know. From ancient times to present, quarrels may have started from simple or even trivial differences and disagreements. Often, these small disputes, when ignored, have even escalated to a clash between ethnic groups bent on wiping out each other entirely.   The Concept of War In his book,  (1995) cited several theories on the origin of war. Although he employed the sociological, anthropological and psychological perspective of the nature of conflicts, it gives some insight into understanding man’s behavior. One of the cited theories is the competition theory, which states that organisms compete over scarce or limited resources. In the animal kingdom, this is seen in the form of neutralism, mutual inhibition, competition, amensalism, parasitism, predation, commensalisms, proto-cooperation, and mutualism. It can be noted that in this theory, competition does not necessarily result in violence; rather, in the case of multiple participating species, some groups tend to gravitate together against another competitor.  also cited in the same book that throughout history, war had been accepted as a normal way of ending arguments, disagreements and conflicts of interest between human groups. He further states that war is a trinity composed of (1) primordial violence, hatred, and enmity, (2) play of chance and probability, and (3) its element of subordination. Group selection as an evolutionary theory of war was described by   as a trait of a grouped species to unanimously decide or choose something because of its benefit or advantage to the group. This ‘good-for-the-species’ thinking is stated simply in the words ‘for the greater good’.  also cited in the same book that throughout history, war had been accepted as a normal way of ending arguments, disagreements and conflicts of interest between human groups. He further states that war is a trinity composed of (1) primordial violence, hatred and enmity, (2) play of chance and probability, and (3) its element of subordination. The 19th century anthropologists otherwise came to a different conclusion:  that the class struggles and wars were created because of the appearance of surplus production and socio-economic classes. In the history of mankind, there are many recorded as well as undocumented occurrences of war. They possess individual characteristics that are unique and used in association to their own identities. Among the numerous histories of US wars, it could be assumed that the Civil War of the United States is among the most popular wars in world history due to its historical implications and worldwide effects.   THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR               “…but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive, and the other would accept war rather than let it perish, and the war came.”   Abraham Lincoln, 2nd Inaugural Address 4 March 1865 (2006)     Of all the considerable factors that contributed to withdrawal of Southern States from the Union and Civil War, the role of slavery and race in motivating both Southerners and Northerners usually draws the most attention and the hottest debate ( 1996). Certainly political and economic concerns played their part, yet these hinged invariably on issues and competing interests that arose from slavery and the institutions as well as the ideals built upon that institution. Many “unreconstructed Southerners” continue to insist that the sectional conflict originated over states’ rights, not slavery, although these people seldom complete the thought by specifying which “rights” they mean ( 1996). This reasoning usually entails the arguments that few white Southerners owned slaves and therefore had no interest in preserving the institution, and that most white Northerners were racist and did not initially invade Dixie for any desire to free African Americans. Although truth exists in both of these assumptions, an enormous amount of scholarship on these very issues points to the centrality of slavery and race in the coming of the war. The American Civil War is a sectional feud between the Confederate States of America and the United States of America. It is considered as the largest historical event that extensively came into view in American public consciousness.  As what was noted by  (2000), over a hundred years after the first shot was fired, “its genesis is still fiercely debated and its symbols heralded and protested.” The Civil War shoved a great deal of reexamination on federalism, civil rights, and democratic-republicanism. As for people’s perception, the war translated the American regime from a federalist system based on freedom to a centralized state that circumscribed liberty in the name of public order.             The Civil War has significantly and enormously influenced the centralization and nationalization of the American federal system. It settled incessantly the national concern over whether a state could constitutionally separate from the Union. The Northern states wanted a centralized government while on the other hand; Southern states wanted a decentralized form. In depth analysis depicted that slavery is was one of the primary reasons for these contradicting concerns ( 1998).              Historically, the reasons of the war range from the complexity of political issues, competing understanding of the principles of slavery, federalism, expansionism, sectionalism, economics, modernization, and competing ideas of nationalism of the Antebellum period (1999). As recorded, a total of 970,000 casualties (about 3 percent of the total population) including 560,324 deaths. The Origins of American Civil Wars  The origins of the American Civil War lay in a complex issues of politics, arguments over the scope of the sights of the state versus federal power, slavery, expansionism, sectionalism, economics and modernization. Between the years 1800 to 1860, dispute between the North and the South grew more intense. One of their main disagreements was about the taxes (tariff) paid on goods brought into America from other countries. Southerners felt that the tariffs were unfair; they also felt that it was aimed at them due to their wider variety of imported good compared to the Northerners. In addition, taxes were placed on many Southern goods that were transported to foreign countries, an expense that was not always applied to Northern of similar or equal value. This was allowed by a rather awkward economic structure in states and private transportation companies which has considerably affected the Southern banks as they found themselves paying higher interest loans and rates with banks in the North. The situation grew worse after several “panics” such as one in 1857 which has affected more Northern banks than Southern. Southern financers found themselves burdened with high payments in order to save Northern banks that had suffered financial losses through poor investment.              In terms of politics, the years before the civil war were characterized by such that the political power in the Federal government which was centered in Washington, D.C. was changing. Accordingly, Northern and mid-western states became more powerful as their populations increased. Because the Southern population did not grow rapidly, they in turn lost political power. As one part or section of the nation increased greater than the other, the nation was divided. This was called sectionalism. The Southerners then felt that there was a growing need for freedom form the central Federal authority in Washington. They believed that the state laws carried out more weight than Federal laws and that they should abide by the state regulations first. This issue was referred to as “State’s Rights” and became a very hot issue in congress.   Tactics, Weapons, Politics, and Results             Considering the fact that the most military leaders of the war are graduates of the United States Military Academy in West Point, they both posses the same characteristics inherent in the academy. Armies and Navies used tactics characterized by massing forces collectively in large formations to convey the greatest possible military capability to abide on an enemy. However, the only significant difference to note is the fact that they differ in purposes in fighting. Confederates are fighting for liberty and independence from a tyrannous leadership while the Union is for the preservation of the nation (1994).  The American Civil War is appropriately called as “the first modern war” in the history. With this premise, it could be deemed that there is a fast development of the previous armors and artillery being used.             After the admitted defeat of the Confederate forces, the war ended. But the war had lasting aftermath to the American politics and culture as a whole (2003). It could also be deemed that it created a bigger effect in the global perspective. The conflict of interests and ideology is among the underlying principle to the politics of the war. The aims of ending slavery, movement towards economic progress, and leadership dominance complicate the internal relation of the states. The results of the war paved way to the period of reconstruction ().         Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

The American Wars: a Creative Presentation

The American Wars: a Creative Presentation Conflicts have many forms. It may be as simple as a disagreement, a sibl...

History Writing Assignment: Lessons from African American Civil War

LESSONS FROM AFRICAN AMERICAN CIVIL WAR         The history of African American Civil War during the early battle was indeed one of the most devastating civil war in the history of mankind. The battle began by African American was during the mid 18th century led the assault of the confederate positions using hand to hand combat but basically defeated. The Assault of fort Wagner has become one of the most unforgettable battles of the African American Civil War. The Confederate have suffered tremendous casualties of more than 68,000 people that leads to death of about 37,000 lives of white and black Americans.       Although the black soldiers have risk their lives in the battle but the African American still suffered from discrimination consequently when they are given shorter salary increase and allowance during the war. You may ask why the African Americans have joined such war without the knowledge and principles they upheld in the battle. Actually the Civil war has not been the battle for truth and justice but a battle of power and political motivation of greed. We are not going to trace back the History of War on its absolute manner but the history of people during and after the war and how they lived and why the changes have brought forth a wider history appreciation.       If we are going to look back in the reality Africans would think about having a new life in other land but in vain, they have landed in the hand of Americans due to Trans-Atlantic slavery. The Americans would bring millions of African to their country to become a slave. The life of African American 200 years ago was like of that Animal in the farm, they are the slave because of their color. They are working day and night for white people. They are the ones who worked for on the plantation for food that they could not eat. Most women have been raped and transferred into sex slavery and some children starved to death, they are brutally murdered like chicken into their own homes and anywhere else and this has been their lives for decades, they have suffered long enough without political, social, and cultural deliverance. During the mid 17th century the slavery has become legal       This has been the reason why African American has joined the troop rebels to fight for freedom. The war brought about traumatic political changes and social will in the heart of most African American in quest for freedom. They would rather die fighting than being a worthless Slave of society. They want to end the Slavery they have experienced and they will risk their lives for their children to manifest changes in society. This has been the reason why without a doubt struggled against the civil war. It was Abraham Lincoln who emancipated the proclamation of executive order of liberation during the 1863 but was ridiculed for it was not in their control to take freedom into their hand it took them more years to really uphold the liberation.       It was 1865 after four long years of fighting the end of Civil war brought forth political and social motivation among the African American society. Knowing that they are free inspired by hope and liberty, some of them started to look for work on lowlands and highlands. Some of them came back to their masters and some of them have taken time to school even if it’s hard for them to understand. They have realized the value of changes that they have experienced, that’s why some of them got married to live a normal family life. They have taken the advantage to live and practice their cultural belief without difference, they sought economic freedom to live in modesty and create a little business among themselves.  Although some of them have not been successful to live a worthy life that they expect, most of them have not suffered much about slavery although there is discrimination during those times.       The known tale of Slavery has shaped the lives of many African American until today. The freedom of the United States and their Political, Social and Cultural conformity will remain as long as they upheld the moral values that they have learned in the entire course of history. The death of thousand African American has brought forth noble heroes that will protect the land of the free. Slavery and lawlessness will never be experienced against their land for there will always be men and women who will fight for freedom if there will ever be tyrants who would try to occupy their country.                Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

History Writing Assignment: Lessons from African American Civil War

LESSONS FROM AFRICAN AMERICAN CIVIL WAR The history of African American Civil War during the early battle was indeed one of the mo...

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