The Civil War Produced More Radical Changes In America Than the Revolutionary War - Essay Example

TOPIC: The Civil War produced more radical changes in America than the Revolutionary War. INTRODUCTION: War is an armed confrontation with the enemy or a prolonged conflict between two countries, states or two parties which usually put negative impacts on the society. Wars of any range or at any time leave some impacts and repercussions which are later resolved or justified by leaders. Similarly Civil War and Revolutionary War, both left some impacts on the society. Impacts could be positive and negative, depending on the foundations laid for wars. Here in this essay, I would discuss that whether the civil war produced more radical changes in America or the Revolutionary war. REVOLUTIONARY WAR: The ideology of John Locke impressed American Colonies and provoked them to fight for their rights. Locke wrote in “Two Treaties of Government” that it is beyond humanity to rule individuals and rejected the claim of kings and queens of having a divine right to rule masses. Locke infused the spirit of liberalism and democracy. (John Locke, 1821) The main idea of Revolutionary movement was to address the differences that lay within a mother country like religious, traditional and social differences. He stated: “The natural liberty of man is to be free from any superior power on earth, and not to be under the will or legislative authority of man, but to have only the law of Nature for his rule. The liberty of man in society is to be under no other legislative power but that established by consent in the commonwealth, nor under the dominion of any will, or restraint of any law, but what that legislative shall enact according to the trust put in it.” (John Locke, 1821) Evolutionary War was more than a political agenda and took course during 18th century which initiated in 1763. The seed was sown earlier after the British forces enforced the series of taxes on the American Colonies which was imposed in the name of defense and security cost. American colonies felt the discrimination that was made by British regulatory authorities as British person were not made liable to pay tax. The discrimination enraged American Colonies and in retaliation their Thirteen Colonies in North America collaborated and stood united to form a separate nation which would have no influence or governance from the British Empire. To make their move official, they rejected the rule of Parliament of Britain and together they cast out the royal officials. The colonies demanded for an elected representative in the ruling British Parliament and within the span of two years, American colonies formed Committees for Correspondence which would direct their own Provincial Congresses in majority of the colonies. The advantage of committees was enormous as it was easy for individuals to share and comment on different issues between British community and American Colonies. With a little more efforts, the provincial congresses proved to be effective and dismissed the parliament and replaced all British ruling bodies. In response to this political setback, British government tried hard to assert pressure and reform authority by dissolving local governments with the help of British troops and to impose rule directly from Royal officials. British troops were confronted by American militia in 1775. George Washington was chosen as commander in chief to guide and lead the army as American Militia lacked in almost every essential skill or training. Washington finely used both army and militia for his strategies to defeat British combat troops. Blacks were promised to be freed if they serve the army and soon blacks in large numbers were recruited in both the armies. Large number of blacks escaped and joined the British Army against Americans. After a constant fight between both nations, the Independence of America was declared on July 4, 1776. The main purpose was to achieve liberty, democracy and equality among the nation which was severely lacking in the British Empire. CIVIL WAR: (Nicolay, 2009) In the middle of 19th Century, Abraham Lincoln was chosen as the 16th President of America who is considered as the war president, presented his ideology for new reforms, condemnation of slavery and growth in the industrial sectors. Lincoln designed his strategies opposing the ideology of Pierce and Buchanan administration that would save slavery for next thousand years if similar policies are followed. He targeted North America to be the most influential; and empowered industrial sector. To accomplish his dream of empowering North America, therefore offered people to migrate to the land of opportunities specially asking Blacks from South America to come and work constructively to get rid of Slavery. (Hofstader, 1974) The disease of keeping slaves continued from the British Era which was surviving in huge numbers in South America rose against it and withdrew from the union which enraged Lincoln and soon he pledged to announce war to defend and protect federal union. Civil war began on the issue of slavery between North and South of America in 1861 and continued for four years until Lincoln got victory to his people in terms of abolishing slavery. (Schwartz, 2008) Lincoln was the man of his words tried his best to deal with political, social, economical and military crises and finally saved the Union and steered North America to victory. Lincoln authored the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 about the thirteenth amendment to abolish slavery legally. In a letter to Albert Hodges, editor of the Frankfort Commonwealth, Lincoln wrote "I am naturally anti-slavery. If slavery is not wrong, nothing is wrong. I cannot remember when I did not so think and feel." (Williams, 2004) Lincoln wrote in response to a critic, James Cockling: “You dislike the Emancipation Proclamation, and perhaps would have it retracted. You say it is unconstitutional. I think differently. I think the Constitution invests its Commander-in-Chief with the law of war. The most that can be said--if so much--is that slaves are property. Is there--has there ever been--any question that by the law of war, property, both of friends and enemies, may be taken when needed? And is it not needed whenever taking it helps us, or hurts the enemy?” (Schwartz, 2008) Lincoln declined the writ of habeas corpus, procedure method to release a prisoner whose imprisonment is not found relevant to law. The denial of writ was opposed by higher authorities but Lincoln stood hard and confronted the people who were against it. John Merryman, in retaliation to this change supported South Americans and contributed for the confederate army. (Williams, 2004) Lincoln drafted report to Congress on July 4 “The whole of the laws which I was sworn to [execute] were being resisted...in nearly one-third of the states. Must I have allowed them to finally fail of execution?... Are all the laws but one [the right to habeas corpus] to go unexecuted, and the government itself...go to pieces, lest that one be violated?” By the end of 19th Century, America was dominant in industrial sector, got strong judicial laws, revived infrastructure, achieved modernized educational system and reformed women rights. COMPARISON: After studying the baseline of both the wars, it could be said undoubtedly that Civil War made radical changes in American History than the Revolutionary War. (Raum, 2009) Revolutionary war was the war of nation, where American Colonies wanted to be called a separate entity whereas Civil war was the war of equality, ethics and moral reforms within a country. People could count the advantages of civil war, though people faced hard time during the war, but Lincoln genius mind was able to tackle it without making any disastrous loss. He dealt with the wrong constitutions and revised them with required changes to bring liberty to all with equality. It is quite saddening that South America had the population of 9 million people in 11 confederate states among which 3.5 million people were slaves. If Civil war and Emancipation Proclamation wouldn’t have authored in time, the slavery wouldn’t be eradicated from American Society. (Todd, 2001) The impact of Revolutionary war was limited to territorial achievement though it was fought for freedom and independency but did not last long until and unless Lincoln provoked people to take this matter seriously and fight for equality, and opportunities. Lincoln was soft spoken but was firm with his decisions. Marx added “Lincoln was a single-minded son of the working class, who had led his country through the matchless struggle for the rescue of an enchained race and the reconstruction of the social world” It cannot be denied that America faced a heavy loss of American People in Civil War than in Revolutionary War but the outcomes were overwhelming in the sense of freedom. Blacks were rejoiced for the first time in American history after getting emancipation from slavery for lifetime. Accomplishment in Civil war resulted in the formation of strong and firm economical and political infrastructure in America. Thus Civil War was much more fruitful for people in America than the revolutionary war. Abraham Lincoln’s reputation and prestige is an asset for the upcoming leaders who want to earn respect, dignity and love from a nation. In short, Lincoln with his greatness is remembered as the top leader in the American History. BIBLIOGRAPHY: Richard Hofstadter, The American Political Tradition 169 (Vintage Books, 1974). John M. Hay, John G. Nicolay, “Abraham Lincoln: A History” Volume 2, 2009, Cosimo Books, New York, U.S.A. Barry Schwartz, “Abraham Lincoln in the post heroic era: history and memory in late Twentieth Century America” The University of Chicago Press – 2008 Elizabeth Raum, “The Revolutionary War: An Interactive History Adventure” Capstone Publishing Company 2009, Minnesota, USA. Anne M.Todd, “The Revolutionary War” Capstone Publishing Company 2001, Minnesota, USA. Frank Williams, “Abraham Lincoln and Civil Liberties in Wartime” The heritage Foundation: Leadership for America, Lecture on Security and Defence, May 5, 2004 John Locke, “Two Treaties of Government” Whitemore and Fenn 1821, London, U.K Read More