The Civil War and Reconstruction

The Civil War was perhaps one of the most momentous events in US History. The struggle to maintain the United States as a whole nation was at risk. This war would test everything that our nation prides itself on. Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

Before the Civil War even took place, many problems arose over slavery and rights for everyone. The Union was under much pressure; it was a make it or break moment. The fight for land led to the Compromise of 1850, making California a independent state from Mexico and becoming one with the US. New Mexico and Utah were both recieving the decision to choose if they would allow slavery or not. The Kansas Nebraska Act also brought forth many issues between the north and south over the right to own slaves or not. Throughout the fight for individual states to recieve the rights to choose if they wanted slavery or not, Stephen Douglas emerged as a great leader; leading many slave states into freedom. The Democratic and Republican party both grew immensly right before the Civil War. The war was not only about slaves, but the manlyhood of the individual states in the South. In March of 1857, after the Dredd Scott vs. Sandford ruling, Abraham Lincoln drafted his campaign for Senate. The Election of 1860 would prove to be very important for all who knew that change was needed. Based off of Lincoln's win, the Lower South and Upper South automatically seceded from the North and the war began. 

During the first two years of the Civil War, the most fighting took place. The Battle of Manassas would mark the bigenning of the war. Both the Union and the confederates had a strong militarry and were not going to give up a fight. Stonewall Jackson a.k.a Thomas Jackson made all the calls when it came to tactics for the Confederates. Jackson knew that to win, he could not leave any room for the Union to attack. Not only had war tactics improved, but technology had as well. The bullets, cannons, shells, and canisters had all been improved and specialized to hit accurately. Jackson knew that if he imposed a war of attrition on the confederates he could win the battle and so he did. George McClellan of the North committed himself to lead the North to victory. Under general Ulysses S. Grant, the Union became a very tough military that would be a force to recon with. The battle at Shiloh did prove to show some weaknesses in the Unions battle plan, but Grant would not surrender. The troops attack from all sides and the war is on. The most deaths to ever be taken on US soil. 

The Civil War would get many laws drafted and passed for the better.Lincoln the head of the federal government was no longer going to stand for the chaos. On September 22, 1862 President Lincoln read his Emancipation Proclamation stating that all enslaved people would be set free. Granted this did not take immediate affect but it held great significance in history. The Battle of Gettysburg would be one of the most decisive battles to take place in the North. The Battle of Gettysburg was a Horrendous mistake on the part of Robert E. Lee. His Calvary General, J.E.B. Stuart went ahead as normal but didn't keep Lee appraised of where he was. When Lee reached Gettysburg, PA, he didn't know that General Meade had shown up with the Entire Union Army. What contact Lee had with Union Forces were small units in the vanguard. He didn't realize that Meade was shortly behind those units. Lee took up fortifications in the area and then engaged Meade. After loosing several key battles (Cemetery Ridge, Vicksburg, Little Round Top, the Corn Field including Pickett's Suicidal Charge), Lee withdrew and headed back into Maryland. Meade had the opportunity to end the war right then but was unsure of how large Lee's forces were so he retreated back towards Washington D.C.. 

With the war over, it was time for the United States to pick up the pieces and reconstruct. The ratified amendments had now given rights to the african americans and they were going to do whatever it took to get them. In spite of all the angered white people, Freedmen's Bureau was created to help freed slaves establish a new life. After the assassination of President Lincoln, Andrew Jackson rose to presidency and helped the confederates rejoin the United States society. Northern Republicans the Carpetbaggers and the Southern Republicans the Scalawags were both fighting to keep the old society and refused change. The Ku Klux Klan began in Tennessee to commit crimes against what they were to believe was an inferior race. There goal was to intimidate the race into submission. 

Throughout the late 1800's many initiatives took place not only for the better. From the Freedom of Slaves to the Civil War. Many deaths over what our country is today. Going from African Americans having no rights, to having a African American President, the United States has made great strides in history.

The Constitution of the United States

The Constitution created on July 4, 1776, will be marked in the history of The United States of America for the rest of life. This day of Independence truly shows the power of what the Untied States had even back in the 1700’s.

In the summer of 1787, delegates of the new colonies gathered in Philadelphia to create new laws. James Madison was most influential because of the way he was able to eloquently speak, but as well get his point understood easily. It was decided that no one would leave Philadelphia until a constitution and a set of laws was created. The Virginia Plan became the focus of the group early on. This Plan was calling for the creation of a bicameral government. Like the Virginia Plan, The New Jersey Plan was put in place, which gave Congress power to tax and create executive and judicial branches. On July 2^nd, the continental congress was stuck in a deadlock. The Great Compromise arose because of the inability to make decisions. This final decision had the legislative branch split into two different houses, and each state would have a house of representatives based on the size of their state. Through The Great Compromise, the Three-Fifths Compromise was created to give 3/5 the rights to enslaved African Americans. Now the Constitution called for a separation of powers among three powers, which we still use today. There were three so the new government could have a checks and balances system. This system made it possible for an equal government and to have everything balanced. The Electoral College was created to collect the votes of the individual states, and whichever candidate had the most was awarded with the most votes became President.

            The supporters of the Constitution such as Alexander Hamilton and George Washington were called federalists. These Nationalists were in support of the Constitution, but also argued that it needed to be approved. The Anti-Federalists were extremely against the Constitution believing that it would be the fall of American Liberty. After the Federalists won ratification, The Bill of Rights was passed which composed of 10 Amendments that gave the rights to the people.

            Finally in the Fall of 1788, the new government was finished.  George Washington was The United States of America’s first President. Washington was to appoint a cabinet that he believed would be best to help him run the country. The secretary Thomas Jefferson was to manage the Nation’s relations, and Alexander Hamilton was to be the Treasury Secretary. During the first few years of Washington’s administration, there were many issues to handle and the officals had jobs that no one knew how to do before. Washington believed that the public should treat him like a royal. He lived in a very large and extravagant house, which was to be called the White House. To create a capital city, they decided that a 10 square mile tract of land would be used as the capital called District of Colombia. This was right on the Potomac River and was close to Washington’s house. 

The Revolutionary Era

Not soon after the arrival to the New World, Britain, one of the largest economies at the time was suffering from depression. In response to the economic slump, they turned to the Colonies to pay taxes on all goods that were being imported. King George III passed the sugar act in attempt to raise money. Colonists very angered by this created a small army of their own called the minutemen. They were to be ready at the drop of a hat. First came boycotts, but from the frustration, the American Revolution started, which quickly turned into the War for Independence. Now the war for independence was much more them a fight of anger, it was a fight for freedom from the British. People such as Thomas Paine wrote pamphlets to gather the attention of all the colonists to fight against this so called government. American aristocrats  such as Thomas Jefferson gathered at the Continental Congress to write the Declaration of Independence in hope of cutting ties with Great Britain. Even though women’s opinions were not very accepted in government one man John Adams would receive letters from his wife Abigail with her opinions on the new government being created, and to the best of his abilities he would try to change them. Abigail Adams was truly one of the first women’s rights activists in The United States of America.

            Now going into detail about the War for Independence that lasted over a year. The American Patriots were extremely angered with the other colonists that called themselves Loyalists who preferred to remain loyal to King George. The war starts at The Battle of Bunker Hill, which then turned to Saratoga. The French officer Marquis de Lafayette convinced 6,000 men of the French Army to fight alongside the patriots in the war for their independence. But the French were not the only ones to help get the American Army in order.  Baron von Steuben a Prussian officer helped drill the Patriots into a well organized military. The war had affected every aspect of life in the colonies. The civilians were probably most affected. With the war going on, the inflation in the economy made it extremely for the colonists to purchase everyday staples. The Native American tribes were even dragged into this war and sided with the Patriots; which helped lead the Americans into victory.

            While the War still brewing, the colonies created a confederation that was put together to create the 1^st United States Government. The Continental Congress created the Articles of Confederation, which put in order how the government would be ran. There was a legislative branch, in charge of making laws, a executive branch that put the laws into action, and a judicial branch that consisted of judges deciding if the laws had been broken. Even though the confederation had many weaknesses, they were determined to create a constitution that would make better for the people. The representatives of each colony served in a unicameral or bicameral legislature. They were created of either one house of representatives or two houses.  Nationalists such as Ben Franklin and James Madison were extremely fearful that the government was way too weak that there was no counterbalance in what they saw as the unpredictable behavior of the states. Upon meeting up, the nationalists decide that it is time to discuss the economic issues caused by the Articles of Confederation. In between this meeting, the struggle of the taxes and debts were really taking their tolls on the colonists causing the start of Shay’s Rebellion. Once this was over, it convinced many people to take action. This was to” decide forever the fate of republican government”