Stephen LaRock's Civil War Project

Essential Questions

    1.)    How did the views of a typical soldier (Union/Confederate) affect the outcome of the war in general, if at all?

    2.)    How did the actions (letters, beliefs, etc.) of the significant leaders play an important role in the civil war?             

    3.)    What were the important aspects of the civil war in which Vermont played a significant role in and how did Vermont contribute to the general outcome of the war?

    4.)    How were slaves being treated (both perspectives) throughout the civil war?

    5.)    What is the significance of a Jeffersonian view of the civil war?

Introduction

There are so many different things that can be said about the civil war, in particular, how many people believe that this United States war began over the prolonged existence of slavery. To a certain extent, this is true especially when considering that Mr. Abraham Lincoln stated that "Government cannot endure permanently half slave, half free..." This is one statement that will never in any generations history be over-looked because it is such a powerful quote that essentially led to Lincoln's election on November 6th, 1860. Even more so, with this election of President Lincoln many southerners became terrified that his power and beliefs toward slavery would ultimately ruin the southern slave society. The fear of the south losing its slaves was another huge factor that arguably led to the start of what would become one of bloodiest wars in the United States because most slave owners earned a huge profit from the work of their slaves. With multiple states seceding from the nation before and even during the civil war which began on April 12th, 1861 at Fort Sumter, there was evidence of how southern states were truly making an attempt toward the brewing southern life of owning and gaining from black slaves. Evidently, on April 17th, 1861; Virginia seceded from the Union and within five weeks Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina followed in Virginia's footsteps, which formed a Confederacy of eleven states. Although, the Union would soon have 21 states and a population doubled that of the Confederates, which should not be overlooked.

As important as these figures might be to some of us, this idea of a United States civil war is not solely based on numbers and dates, which some of us may struggle to understand in its entirety. However, it is inaccurate to say that numbers and especially dates don't provide a partial understanding of this war because they can truly be used as a starter tool towards grasping the ultimate realization of a civil war in America. With the intent to not fully get caught up in this idea of specific dates and numbers, just an example of how numbers may have a huge influence on our understanding of the civil war can be seen within the Confederate surprise attack on Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's unprepared troops at Shiloh on the Tennessee River. At least 13,000 Union soldiers were killed/wounded and 10,000 Confederates, which was more men than in all previous American wars combined. Those figures truly do act as a huge support in trying to understand the extremity of such a complicated war because they help to set a basis as to exactly why so many men had to be killed.

Why did so many men have to be killed? This is ultimately a question that will live on forever and ever. As long as our history continues, there will always be the question risen as to why so many people had to die in a war that was essentially over popular sovereignty. Popular sovereignty not only in the sense that the northern states and the southern states were ultimately attempting to gain complete control, but also in the sense that this war evolved around the southern attempt for independence. President Lincoln wanted to see a nation combined into one force, while the south truly wanted to make a living off of what had become their status quo; slaves, slaves, and more slaves. This United States civil war was one that was fought with regards to the total expense of different views. It was truly a war of perspective, and as is evident within any timeline of the civil war, once the war was underway there was just no way of turning back because everyone was being influenced by their own beliefs as well as their neighbors. Stonewall Jackson once said: "Let us cross over the river and rest under the shade of the trees." These words were spoken in the midst of his death and one could arguably imply that his words speak entirely for the south perspective. Once getting caught up in the heart of the war, the south became more strongly influenced to make a stand on behalf of their living conditions because that is what they had initially been brought up to believe. The south wanted to make a stand, become successful, and finally rest with independence. Whereas what had become of the north throughout this civil war can solely be summoned up with the words of Lincoln: "With malice toward none; with charity for all...let us strive on to finish the work we are in...to do all which may achieve and cherish a just, and a lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations." These two perspectives that derived from the civil war are statements that clearly show how different views and beliefs did indeed play a role within the war itself because they acted as motivators, but yet largely contributed to the many events/battles of the civil war. The north perspective, and even more so the southern view of life evidently played a significant role in the war, which can more so be seen within a Jeffersonian view of the civil war, as well as the slave perspective that was embedded within one of the bloodiest wars in United States history.     

Jeffersonian View of the Civil War

http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig2/miller1.html  - Very Interesting Website. Check It Out!

A Few Highlights (From the site)

"The term Civil War is a misnomer. The South did not instigate a rebellion. Thirteen southern states in 1860-61 simply chose to secede from the Union and go their own way, like the thirteen colonies did when they seceded from Britain. A more accurate name for the war that took place between the northern and southern American states is the War for Southern Independence."

"If I had foreseen the use those people [Yankees] designed to make of their victory, there would have been no surrender at Appomattox Courthouse; no sir, not by me. Had I foreseen these results of subjugation, I would have preferred to die at Appomattox with my brave men, my sword in my right hand." ~ Robert E. Lee

"Reflecting on the War for Southern Independence let us hope that the Confederate Battle Flag that Louis Thomas Hicks’ North Carolina regiment carried with it into battle at Gettysburg, with the cross of Scotland’s patron saint emblazoned on it, will come to be viewed in the 21st century, not as an badge of slavery, which it is not, but as a symbol of opposition to centralized government power and tyranny."

African Americans in the Civil War

 http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4narr5.html  - A very simple, yet clear account of the role of African Americans and slaves.

"More than 200,000 blacks fought for the Union, and 38,000

died, the majority of disease."

"The end of the war marked the end of 250 years of slavery in North America and the beginning of a new era of freedom for African Americans. But the questions raised by the abolitionist movement, of whether we can live as a multi-racial society, are still with us well over a century later."  

Conclusion

When looking at the significance of the civil war from a larger view point, it is essential to take into consideration the view of a Jeffersonian because one can truly grasp the essence of this view which is in relation with the southern life style. When reading through the above article of a Jeffersonian View the significance of it can be summoned up with the idea that the south didn't necessarily want to be portrayed as a confederate nation completely uncivilized and taking advantage of the black race. Rather, the south arguably wanted to become a nation where they could hold true to their generated living style and ultimately become separated from a nation of complete liberty. Now, obviously when there appear to be two very distinct perspectives of the civil war, one could argue either way according to their beliefs. However, when looking at a Jeffersonian perspective one can truly get engaged and educated with what is being said about the role of the southern nation in the civil war. The civil war was more so based around a strive for independence rather than a strive to abolish slavery and target what is essentially portrayed as being wrong. 

The ideas as to why there was an American civil war can at time be misleading when we as historians get caught up with the idea that this was solely a war evolved around slavery. To a certain degree, this can at times be an inaccurate statement because it evidently seemed to be more of a war based around personal interest and independence. Yes, the strive for equality is also a validated argument from the northern perspective, which shouldn't be over-looked, but at the same time, should not be targeted as the sole purpose of this United States Civil War that began on April 12th, 1861. Let us look at the role of African Americans within the civil war and notice that there were a great number of black people who fought for their freedom. As important as freedom is to a successful nation, a nation where racial differences can be forgotten, on a larger scale one can ultimately see that no matter what has been and will continue to be said about the black race; the question as to whether we can continue to live as an interconnected racial society will always be with us throughout the course of history.

On November 8th, 1864, Abraham Lincoln was re-elected as President and stated the following: "I earnestly believe that the consequences of this day's work will be to the lasting advantage, if not the very salvation, of the country" This statement, alongside everything else that has been stated about the civil war, is certainly a perspective of great significance that is difficult to over-look. Wanting to believe the southern perspective of a Jeffersonian on this war becomes even more so difficult when something to this extent is stated. It appears that Lincoln's purpose is to truly take that popular vote and motivate everyone to stand by him in pursuance of "one nation." This proves to be another perspective that consequently interferes with the southern view of life that one truly wants to obtain as the right way to live. However, this is where the excitement of a civil war comes into play because what would ultimately be the purpose of a war if there wasn't two sides? There wouldn't be any war and one truly has to grasp that idea, in order to grasp the idea that what Lincoln said upon his re-election isn't necessarily the whole picture of the civil war, but rather paves the way to an understanding as to how there essentially was a southern nation in pursuance of an ever-lasting independence.       

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