Revolutionized by the Civil War

Freedom and preservation of way of life was what so many Americans wanted for themselves and their families, and they were willing to give their lives.  Northern Union soldiers fought for the cause, and the Southern Confederates countered the attack.  No matter what side you thought was right; all society was impacted by the Civil War between 1861 and 1865.  With the commencement of the Civil War, society in America was dramatically transformed.  In many ways the war was revolutionary; the re-definition of northern and southern economies, introduction of new war tactics, and the role of woman in society.

Southerners and Northerners were financially affected by the Civil War.  Economies were re-defined; the markets transitioned away from plantations and industries expanded.  The cotton industry in the South was destroyed by the Civil War because the South found it difficult to find a market for their cotton after the North blockaded the Southern coasts.  Chapter 15 illustrated, “Because of the Union blockade, the [South] government had no choice but to build an industrial sector itself,” such as arsenals, government-owned clothing and shoe factories, mines, and powder works.  The Northern economic power was strengthened through the introduction of new banking, monetary, and tax structures.  Tax laws and higher tariffs were passed by Congress in 1863.  In fact, the expansion of the industrial capacity of the North was one factor that aided in their victory.  Yet Southern and Northern economies both dealt with debilitating inflation because of the amount of money needed to pay for the war and its military supplies.

The war also revolutionized society with the introduction of new war tactics.  Per Chapter 15, “From 1861 to 1865, Americans killed Americans on a scale never before seen.”  Modern technology and new strategy made the war bloodier and deadlier.  During the Civil War, muskets and cannons were replaced with high-powered rifles.  According to Chapter 15, “Rifles propelled spinning bullets four times as far as muskets – about 320 yards.”  Due to these new war tactics, generals had to adapt their tactics to warfare.  It became more advantageous to entrench defensive forces, rather than have infantry units charge in close-order formation.  As well, naval technology was innovated by the South with floating mines, the ironclad warships, and the submarine. The ironclad warships were built from radical designs to layer their wooden hulls with armor plates then topped with turrets holding guns.  These warships were built by both Southern and Northern forces.  The world’s first submarine was also designed by the South during the Civil War; however the invention was halted because of several accidents.

 

New war tactics and technology left many more injured, thus the need for nurses became a necessity for the survival of the wounded which brought women onto the battlefields.  Per Chapter 15, “thousands of women on both sides defied prejudices about female delicacy and volunteered to nurse the wounded.”  Additionally Chapter 15 stated, “The war disrupted families, leaving women at home with additional responsibilities while offering new opportunities to others for wartime work in factories, offices and hospitals.”  As war called men away to fight, women often took over their jobs.  The amount of women in manufacturing positions rose from prewar 25% to 33% postwar.  Women were significant either on the battlefield or at home on farms or while at industries.  The war gave new opportunities for women, although it took many years afterward for them to become powerful enough to vote and legally impact government decisions.

In conclusion, economics, new war tactics, and the role of women in society during the Civil War all had some bearing on how American society is shaped today.  We as Americans owe a debt of gratitude for the lives that were given for the freedom we have today and the way of life that was sustained.  No matter what side you would have chosen during the Civil War, one cannot argue that the Civil War was revolutionary.  Even Chapter 15 asserted, “The Civil War had a profound effect on individual lives.”  Because of the war, America now has banking, monetary, and tax structures.  Furthermore, developments in our war technology and strategy during the Civil War have made our military stronger and more advanced today.  Further, the progression of women in society began due to the necessity of war that was neither able to be prevented nor prepared for.  Let us not forget all that was gained in society through the blood and tears that were shed during the Civil War.

Abraham Lincoln, Emancipation Proclamation, 1863

Abraham Lincoln, Emancipation Proclamation, 1863

Who Wrote:

Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States from 1861-1865, issued on January 01, 1863

Audience:

It is apparent throughout the document that Lincoln was not only speaking to his countrymen and the insurgents but the entire world and God.  At the onset of the proclamation Lincoln references the date as “year of our Lord” and in closing assistance from “Almighty God”.

Represent:

Through the Emancipation Proclamation, Lincoln redefined the purpose of the war.  Immediate action was necessary to preserve the Union and help the Union win the Civil War.  Both politically and militarily, the proclamation strengthened the Union and added moral influence to the Union cause.

What being said:

Predominantly, Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation was a milestone for the demise of slavery; for the Union the war had became a war for freedom.  Lincoln used the proclamation as an act of justice and adverted any of his actions to be considered unconstitutional.  Previously in 1861, Lincoln reiterated that he was not going to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it already existed; it was up to the Southern States to decide whether or not to invoke tranquility.  Now in the middle of war, the proclamation freed slaves for “necessary war measure” in states which had seceded from the Union which were still under the armed forces of the Confederate States of America.  Lincoln had a keen awareness that slaves were an asset to the war efforts of the Confederates, meanwhile using slaves as “pawn pieces” for Union’s manipulations. The freedom Lincoln promised the slaves was dependent upon the Union’s military victory.  Freeing the slaves gave the Union a military advantage.  As slaves fled the plantations, it caused disruption to the agriculture economies of the Confederate states.  This economic disruption had a domino effect on Confederate’s exports and imports.  Further, it enabled African-Americans to join the army/navy in support of the Union war effort.  Lincoln reiterated although declared free, the former slaves were to abstain from all violence unless in necessary self defense.  Lincoln was not promoting former-slave uprisings, but to support their efforts toward actual freedom by fighting as Union soldiers.

How being said:

Lincoln clung onto his integrity; he reiterated that he had not misled the citizens of the United States by abolishing slavery in areas controlled by Confederates.  Lincoln upheld the purpose of the Constitution, and used slaves as a weapon of war for suppressing said rebellion.  His proclamation appealed to the logic of his Union countrymen, and found support for his view that the strategic key to Union victory was abolishment of slavery for Confederates.

What proof:

Lincoln blended use of logic appeal and his own perceived character as a war measure to preserve the Union and defeat the Confederacy.   In my opinion, Lincoln was extremely intelligent and strategically planned use of slaves for Union action.  He justifies his action by stating his power and title as the “Commander-in Chief, of the Army and Navy of the United States.”  Lincoln also reiterated numerous occasions in the document, specifically in the third paragraph, “as fit and necessary war measure for suppressing said rebellion.”  Lincoln only emancipated slaves in Confederate territory; however it still committed the North to end slavery.  Amidst war, Lincoln believed his actions were “warranted by the Constitution” and in God’s control.

Abraham Lincoln, First Inaugural Address, 1861

Abraham Lincoln, First Inaugural Address, 1861

Who Wrote:

This was the First Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln on March 04, 1861

Audience:

Initially, Lincoln acknowledged the people of the Southern States; they had no reasonable cause to believe that their peace and their property and personal security were to be jeopardized.  Still, his real target audience was the fellow-citizens of the United States.  He reiterated that he was not going to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it already existed; it was up to the Southern States to decide whether or not to invoke tranquility.  Moreover, Lincoln reaffirmed to all United States citizens that all declarations he had made during his nomination and election had never been recanted.

Represent:

For most United States citizens, this first inaugural address by Lincoln reiterated the clear and emphatic resolution of the rights of the States.  Lincoln continued to reaffirm the new incoming administration would not interfere with the peace, property, and security of all the States.  He guaranteed to all the States that the Constitution and the laws would uphold protection when lawfully demanded.

What being said:

Predominantly, Lincoln stressed that the new administration and all States would uphold the Constitution regardless.  Lincoln declared that if any state chose to remove itself from the Union, it violated the Constitution and that for a State to do so on its own mere motion was unlawful.  With authority, Lincoln forewarned acts of violence within any State or States against the authority of the United States was rebellious.  Lincoln insisted that unless forced upon national authority, no bloodshed or violence was necessary because he would abide the Constitution.  He assured all constitutional controversies affecting the whole people was determined by the majority.  Ultimately, Lincoln was adamant that the country would not separate despite either amicable or hostile sentiments.  Lincoln cautioned that war does not solve political issues; only that war causes bloodshed and grief.

How being said:

The tone of this speech was apprehension; Lincoln was troubled that dissatisfaction of fellow-countrymen would lead to Civil War.  Lincoln used an emotional appeal to ask the citizens of the United States to trust him and his administration, while he reinforced the purpose of the Constitution.

What proof:
Lincoln blended use of emotional appeal and his own perceived character to gain support and trust of the citizens of the United States before he entered office.  In my opinion, Lincoln did all he could through his First Inaugural Address to subdue hostile feelings associated with slavery and inevitable civil war.  He began the Address using his reputation to confirm that he would not recant prior declarations made by him.  Further into the Address, Lincoln referenced that God is on their side; regardless which side (North/South) and that justice will prevail. Lincoln relied on the reader’s faith in the Constitution, and to trust that he would execute the laws of the Union in all the States.  Lincoln pleaded that his countrymen take time and think rationally before entering into civil war.  He forewarned that war will cause misery and won’t resolve identical old questions.  At the end of the Address Lincoln made his final appeal: he promised to preserve, protect, and defend the government but the opposition had no right to destroy it.

"Who Rushed for California Gold?" (pp. 422-423)

Gold fever spread overnight after the discovery of gold in 1848.  No matter how far it took to travel to California, people from all over the world came by foot, horseback, ships or wagons to strike it rich.  It was greed for gold that led Anglo-American prospectors to drive foreigners from the goldfields.  The Foreign Miners’ Tax Law was passed by the California legislature in 1850 which discouraged foreigners from the goldfields by levying high taxes.  The rush for gold also caused a hostile takeover of land previously inhabited by Indians and Spanish/Mexican settlers.  By 1852, 81 million ounces of gold was discovered.  Though many prospectors hoped to strike it rich in California, few actually did.  The gold rush brought new inhabitants to California; however for most their dreams were crushed and in the end prospectors became farmers, small businessmen or workers for corporations.

Q1.  Consider after the gold rush how California’s environment was impacted.  How long after-wards do you think it took for the environment to recover?  During its recovery did it have any financial effect on California?  Why or why not?

Q2.  As an Anglo-American forty-niner explain which hardships would you have found most difficult?  How about as a foreigner?  Why?

The Telegraph: The "Wonder Working Wire" (pp. 402-403)

From its first patent in 1840, the telegraph invented by Samuel Morse significantly impacted American society.  The telegraph electrically transmitted messages with a code that used dots and dashes to represent each letter and number.  These dots and dashes became known as the Morse code and were used as a universal language.  Operators sent short and long pulses of electricity and receivers listened and interpreted the codes.  By 1861, the telegraph reached California and the nation was networked with fifty thousand miles of wires.  America was finally connected; international affairs, businesses, government, newspapers, and even clocks were impacted by the innovative device.  The telegraph was a huge success in the 19^th century and changed America overnight by overcoming vast distances with its speed and efficiency.

Q1.  The telegraph depended on Morse code (each letter and number was represented with dots and dashes).  How long do you think it took to learn this new system as an operator/receiver, and why do you think it took that long?

Q2.  Do you think when a new operator/receiver was first learning the Morse code did they misinterpret and might have caused public panic and social disruption?  Why or why not?