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.

Encounters and Colonies

Who were the first Americans? Almost 40,000 years ago the first settlers came to what is to be known as the United States of American. Three major cultures were soon to meet and have to find a way to develop as one unit. The three cultures would soon lead a vast global interchange and be the start to a brand new world.

Even though the three cultures had similar customs, they were all different in their own ways. The Native Americans who were native to the lands had kinship networks that made their families extremely close and social. In their opinion they didn’t need anything more then what they had. The Europeans who were 1st cross to the new lands were the ones who in the end, bring the cultures together. People seeking refuge from the hierarchy of Europe made the trip to start a new life. The last of the three cultures were the Africans. Africa, the head of trade had much to offer to the new lands. Songhai, one of the largest empires at the time had an abundant amount of gold and ivory to trade with the rest of the world. When the Europeans mainly Spanish and Portuguese came, they brought the Africans with them for free labor. The trade off to the Africans working for them was that after 7 years of backbreaking labor, they would receive their own piece of land and were free to do what they wanted with it. With all the new ideas happening in the new world, Europe enters the Renaissance for a quest of knowledge to learn and understand much more.

Navigating the seas wasn’t always an easy task, but for Christopher Columbus there was no fear in searching for something new. Columbus set off west hoping to land in India. Sometime during the journey Columbus and his crew land on the islands in the Caribbean being greeted by the Tainos Indians. This trip was not made history because of its discovery, but for is encounters with the people. With this sail came the exchange of many goods from people all the way to technology. The Columbian Exchange brought many great and innovative ideas to the Indians but as well as death with the spread deathly disease.

            After 1942, the Dutch, Spanish, French and English reach America and all have ideas of how to make themselves rich. The Conquistadores of the Spanish, invaded many congregacions in éattempt to win power over the Americas. In attempt to make friends with the Native Americans, the Spanish created a system know as the encomienda system. This system created jobs for the Native Americans to work under the Spaniards. After colonization, the Spanish established Persidos to mark as outpost and keep watch during battles. A man named Popé assembled the discouraged people and revolted against the Spaniards which in the end drives the Spanish away. Powhatan the leader of the Native Americas was very upset with the Spaniards and distrusted them very much. Soon, the Native Americans became allies with the English and created a treaty; pay for land. With all the land, the English decide to grow tobacco. A small farm turns into multiple and there is not enough hands to work the fields. The English turn to indentured servants who would work for a period of seven years and then receive land in return. The English brought a huge wave of new immigrants which includes the Puritans. The reformation pushed the Puritans out of their native lands seeking religious toleration. 

            Mercantilism was practiced throughout the colonies in hope of give more power to their state, but to sustain their power they had to maintain a balance of trade. This meant they must import as much goods as the export. At the beginning it worked to their benefit, but Great Britain did not hold up to their side of the deal and created the salutary neglect. The agriculture throughout the Americas, Africa, and Europe created the triangular trade, which proved to sustain a great amount of significance throughout the century. The middle passage was a route traveling between Africa and Europe bringing enslaved Africans who would soon be sent to America. The people of the Americas were not extremely rich landowners, but  gentry  the people of the colonies who could not afford to have people work for them. All seemed well until the Great Awekening arose and bought great tension to the colonies. Preachers traveled around the colonies reminding the people of the power of God and the authority of the clergy. With this, many people decided that they would stand up for themselves and speak against the opposing theories.

            In the end, the trip to the Americas brought many new ideas and opportunities. The Relations were made stronger between many countries and cultures. A new age of people arose and the colonists finally had a place to call their own and be who they wanted to be.