Division, War and Reconciliation 1855-1865

The Slavery Issue

Jefferson described slave trade as, “a cruel war against human nature itself, violating its most sacred rights of life and liberty.” (1st draft of D of I)

1850s North and South on collision course…

New western states, slave or free??

North and South

North

Commerce was king

Industry busy cities

Education, banking, science, reform movements

South

Farming: cotton, sugar, rice, tobacco

Plantations and small farms

Slavery as the lifeblood of their economy

Southern States Secede

South Carolina was the first state to secede.

April 1861 – 7 states met to establish the Confederate States of America.

Lincoln would not accept secession.

April 12, 1861 Confederates fired on Union troops in Fort Sumter.

3 days later Lincoln called upon 75,000 Union volunteers to put down rebellion.

Civil War was on…

Confederate States of America 1861

Union vs. Confederacy

South – superior leadership under General Robert E. Lee

North – larger force under command of General Ulysses S. Grant

Minorities were a presence…

180,000 Black soldiers fought for the Union.

A few Native American regiments served on the frontier.

Women also made a contribution to war effort – one famous woman, Clara Barton, founded the American Red Cross and work as a nurse in army camps and hospitals.

It’s over…1865 Lee surrendered to Grant at Appomattox, VA.

President Lincoln was assassinated days after Lee’s surrender.

The healing of the US had to take place without Lincoln.

Wartime Voices

Sept. 1862 - Lincoln signed Emancipation Proclamation

Many patriotic songs were written:

The Battle Hymn of the RepublicThe Yellow Rose of TexasDixie

Civil War Literature • Speeches• Letters• Diaries• Patriotic Songs• Poetry

Spirituals – sung by African American slaves• Served as a means of communication• Expressed their desire for freedom and

religious salvation• Many had double meaning/secret messages• Most had at least one refrain, emphasizing

most important ideas

“The Good Gray Poet” -Walt Whitman• One of most

influential poets in Amer. history

• Celebrated democracy and the common man

• Best known collection of poetry - Leaves of Grass

Whitman’s Poetry

Free verse – irregular meter and line length.

Catalogs – the listing of images or concrete details.

Parallelism – repeated use of phrases, clauses, or sentences that are similar in structure.

Speaks of democracy, equality, spiritual unity of all forms of life.

Human spirit is reflected in nature.