Two Presidents and the Origins of the Crisis - Coursework Example

1. Imagine: In February 1861 President-Elect Abraham Lincoln and President-Elect Jefferson Davis met secretly outside Washington to discuss the origins of the present crisis. Please provide a succinct yet detailed statement each man would have delivered at that meeting. In 1861 Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis met secretly to discuss certain crucial issues, particularly regarding the ongoing crises. They primarily discussed about the decisions both of them had taken, to resolve the current issue. Abraham Lincoln said that his main objective was to save the Union from external influences and that it needs to be accomplished without creating any negative impact on their country. Abraham Lincoln told “enemy is at your door, wait not to meet him at your hearthstone, meet him at the doorsill, and drive him from the temple of liberty, or pull down its pillars and involve him in a common ruin” (McPherson 212). This should be considered as evidence that our country is not safe anymore. Abraham Lincoln also mentioned that he thoroughly disliked to comment on the various tactics employed by historical leaders who played an instrumental role in earlier wars. Government always must be “of the people, by the people and for the people” and victory always must be “an anti slavery triumph” (McPherson 218). Jefferson Davis strongly disagreed on excessive individualism that were ruling the states. He pointed out that this kind of extreme individualism won’t bring any good to the state. Instead, it will only create neglect towards teamwork. He also emphasized that “war meant it’s for all and not for single”. This means, war is always for a group of people and not for a single person. He told “each state has the right of revolution” (McPherson 240). Political revolution or any kind of revolution always placed the state in a crucial, authoritative position and the right of revolution is for everyone. 2. If as Mr. Sparks contends what is Past is prologue, there is much in the Civil War Era that is relevant to your lives today. Please provide 3 examples of how a study of The Civil War helps you understand the United States in 2010. If a civil war breaks out in the Unites States in 2010, it, will, perhaps mark the end of this country. There would be violence, bloodshed, riots and insurgencies all over the country, leading to loss of millions of human lives as well as the ultimate breakdown of the country’s vast social and economic infrastructure. A study of the civil war has helped us to understand the consequences of the war on the United States. The United States had become just like any other country during the period of the civil war. The civil war lead to a breakup of the various states in the United States of America. Although Barrack Obama, the President of the United States, is trying his best to control such a possible mishap from striking the nation in 2010, the country still fears the outbreak of a disastrous civil war & the disintegration of the states. While taking the history of the civil war in the United States, we can understand the situation that prevailed in the country during that period. In the history of the United States, the civil war is one of the earliest factual industrial wars. It was the most aggressive period in the history of the country. Various deadly weapons and military equipments were deployed in the war. Many people died and lots were badly injured in the war. “Disease was a greater threat to the health of Civil War soldiers than enemy weapons” (McPherson 487). The war, ultimately, lead to the eradication of the slave system in the United States and also strengthened the authority of the Federal Government. The social, cultural and political problems had determinedly influenced the renovation of the period, which ended in the year 1877. “Arguments about the causes and consequences of the Civil War, as well as the reason for the northern victory, will continue as long as there are historians to wield the pen” (McPherson 859). 3. Why did William Lloyd Garrison call the US constitution a covenant with Death and an agreement with Hell? Be specific. William Lloyd Garrison was a famous reporter, abolitionist and communal reformer of the United States. A reputed editor of a major abolitionist newspaper, he was also a strong opponent of the slavery system. He staunchly opposed violence and slavery, at the same time upholding the welfare and rights of women in the society. “According to William Lloyd Garrison, who was present as a reporter for his newspaper The Liberator.” (McPherson 716). On July 4th in 1854, a protest rally was conducted for opposing slavery in the society. Some of the abolitionists like William Lloyd Garrison and Henry David Thoreau were the driving forces behind this rally. “Most abolitionists had traditionally counseled nonviolence” (McPherson 84). Many abolitionists gathered for this movement at Harmony Grove. It was a day which marked the death of liberty for the abolitionist society. After a prolonged public debate, the congress passed a resolution which allowed western colonizers to establish as well as legalize slavery in their countries. In the north, the people who had earlier discarded the terrible cautions of the abolitionists, began to take notice of the volatile strength of the slave owners. Between 1846 and 1865, the public carried out rituals at the same location at Harmony Grove. The major aim of the rally was to protest against the prevailing slavery system in the United States. The rally started off with a mantra as well as prayers. In this rally, William Lloyd Garrison was one of the key guiding lights. His statement of freedom declares that all people must be treated equally and there should not be any discrimination. However, when the anti-slavery rally failed, William Lloyd Garrison created a copy of slave law and “publicly burned a copy of the constitution” (McPherson 120). Garrison “Holding up a copy of the U.S. Constitution, he branded it as "the source and parent of all the other atrocities--a covenant with death, and an agreement with hell." As the nations founding document burned to ashes, he cried out: "So perish all compromises with tyranny!"” (Yacovone). This is the reason why William Lloyd Garrison calls the US constitution a covenant with Death and an agreement with Hell. 4. Discuss Lincoln presidential leadership: Abraham Lincoln possessed powerful leadership qualities, which brought him severe enmity and rivalry from other opponent groups. Lincoln built a most unusual team which comprised people who were highly experienced and educated. He gave equal attention to the views and opinions of his various team members. He experiences benefited him a lot as they helped him to identify his potential and weaknesses. Lincoln treated his subordinates with equal respect and shared the credit of his success with them too. He could identify the inherent weaknesses in his character and therefore, appointed people who could compensate for it. He enjoyed a good, friendly relation with soldiers and found time to spend with them. He strongly believed that leaders should be brave and reliable enough to be devoted to their objectives. One of the finest traits in his character was that he had an excellent capacity to communicate with people. Abraham Lincoln was elected as President of the United States in 1860. He got two-thirds of the votes in the election. The South had declared that if Abraham Lincoln won the election in 1860 and became the president, they would leave the Union. Soon after he became the President, seven of these states withdrew from the Union. The main motive of the withdrawal was to protest against his presidentship. But, Lincoln was focused on maintaining the togetherness of the Union rather than taking steps to eradicate slavery. “Lincoln promised generous treatment based on his power of power of pardon” (McPherson 823). The southern states jointly formed the ‘confederate states’ after they got separated from the Union. In 1861 these states laid plans to attack the Fort Sumter. “Fort Sumter had become a commanding symbol of national sovereignty in the very cradle of succession” (McPherson 263). Lincoln tried to avert this attack by commanding the navy to maintain obstruction in the southern ports. However, this had a seriously negative impact on the South. The trade of cotton, which was the main source of income for the south, became obstructed. Manufacturing of goods such as clothing, guns etc came to a standstill. Another four states unwillingly joined hands with the confederacy during the war. The South lacked a unified army. Even though all states had armies, they severely lacked unity. The confederates took the Union by surprise during the first phase of the war. The army of the confederates defeated the army of the Unions, which compelled Lincoln to built up a powerful team for the war. Finally, the team emerged victorious, resulting in the eradication of slavery from the United States. Lincoln’s pragmatic approach came as a strong revelation to his rivals, who later on, became his dedicated supporters. Lincoln’s powerful persona and his strong, disciplined approach had helped in doing away with all kinds of problems that existed in the society of the time including cultural and racial differences. 5. Please discuss Mr. Sparks’ concept of the sleeping Tiger. Be specific and provide examples. The concept of Spark is very clear. It brings out the feeling of fear and terror associated with the American civil war. Great destruction had taken place during the civil war. Millions of people lost their lives in the war. Civil war is referred to as ‘sleeping tiger’ here. Everything is calm, placid and peaceful in an ordinary situation. However, when war breaks out, it is just like an angry tiger and can destroy all that comes in its way. One of the examples to highlight this is “newspapers and Sanitary Commission reports published horror stories about fetid hospitals, drunken surgeons, untended sick or wounded soldiers dying in agony, and the like” (McPherson 486). Another issue that is being highlighted concerns the medical services. Medical services offered during the civil war proved to be utmost failure. An evidence for this is “the medical services represent one of the Civil War’s most dismal failures” (McPherson 486). The civil war presents a horrible and pathetic situation. The civil war witnessed the “end of medical ages” (McPherson 486). One of the best evidences for this fact is that doctors were unaware about the methods to cure some of the killer diseases that spread during the civil war. However, the year 1860 witnessed a new era in medical revolution. But, this revolution had taken place too lately and wasn’t of much significance. Works Cited McPherson, James M. Battle cry of freedom: The civil war era. Oxford University, 2003. Web. 31 Mar. 2010. Yacovone, Donald. ““A covenant with death and an agreement with hell”.” The Massachusettss Historical Society, 2010. Web. 31 Mar. 2010. . Read More