Alexander Gardner Pics!

Thanks to  these websites for making this blog possible:

1. www.joiamagazine.com
2. www.photographyhistory.blogspot.org
3. www.wikipedia.org
4. www.commons.wikimedia.org
5. www.nps.gov
6. www.nationalparkstraveler.com\
7. www.dailymail.co.uk

Election of 1860

For every election there has to be one republican candidate and one democratic. The democratic candidate for the election of 1860 was Stephen Douglas, the republican was Abraham Lincoln.  The republicans choose Lincoln as their candidate because they believed he could win the Electoral College by taking New Jersey, Illinois, Indiana and Pennsylvania. They thought this because he had become something of an inspiration to the people. The election was very close. Lincoln won just barley, receiving 180 electoral votes.

The votes of the Electoral College were split among four candidates in the 1860 presidential election. The states that Lincoln won are shown in red, Breckenridge in green, Bell in orange and Douglas in brown.

Bloodiest Day & Bloodiest Battle

Antietam

The Battle of Antietam was fought on September 17, 1862 in Maryland. Unlike the majority of the battles, Antietam only lasted one day. And within that one day, there was 22,717 casualties. That was the largest amount of tolls in a day in, not only the Civil War, but in American history.

This battle was also very signficant because it was inconclusive. Everyone believed that McClellan should have won. This is because the Union outnumbered the Confederates 2-1 and McClellan already knew Lee's battle strategies.  However, with Lee's and his troops' bravery and determination they put up a admirable fight.
Antietam was the battle that inspired Abraham Lincoln to create the Emancipation Prolomation. This document freed slaves living in the rebellious states, however not the border states. It also made a collasol change to the war.With it, people started seeing the war as a war, but instead a fight for what's right. The other big change that came with the Proclomation was that African Americans were able to join the forces. This immensly increased the number of troops the Union had.

Gettysburg

The battle of Gettysburg, was fought on July 1–3, 1863.  In this three day battle, there were between 46,000 and 51,000 casualties, the largest amount of all the battles of the Civil War. This battle was very significant because it was the supposed "turning point" of the war. This win for the Union granted them a huge advantage.


Thanks to these website for making this blog possible:

1. www.college.cengage.com
2. www.npr.org
3. www.wikipedia.org

Uncle Tom's Cabin's Impact

          No, Uncle Tom's Cabin is not a house in the woods with a cozy fireplace and loads of hot chocolate. It was a novel written by Harriet Beecher Stowe in 1852. The book was written to show her anti-slavery views. Although it was claimed to be the "most popular book of the century", many despised it and the message it gave. It was said that it "helped lay the groundwork for the civil war".  This is because it gave people a idea of what slavery truly is, how horribly the slaves were treated. It open their eyes to how disgusting the attitudes of some whites were, towards the blacks. After the book was published many people turned anti-slavery.















Thanks to these websites for making this blog possible:

1. www.wikipedia.org
2. utc.iath.virginia.edu

Dred Scott and the Unconstitutionals

          Dred Scott was a courageous and brave man. He was also a slave, a husband, and a father. He wanted the best for his family, which he believed was his job to give them. Therefore, he was determined to get them their freedom. After failing to buy them out of slavery, he decided to sue. The reason he believed this would/should work, is because he lived in a free territory.
          Many believed that he would win the case and their freedom because there were many other cases similar to his that have won. However he lost the case because he " failed to provide a witness to testify that Scott was in fact a slave belonging to Eliza Emerson." He sued again, and lost again.

Scott's News Trials

          However, that didn't stop Scott. When he was sold to Sanford, he decided to sue him as well. The Supreme Court's decision was that it wasn't their problem or job to deal with slaves in the territories. This is because they believed that slaves weren't protected by the Constitution since it states "...nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property..." and they believed the slaves to be the property of their white counterparts. Also, since Scott was African American, they didn't see him as an American, so they didn't think he had the right to sue in a federal court.  Therefore, Dred Scott and his family stayed enslaved. However, the fight was far from over. People against slavery were infuriated by the Supreme Court's decision. Here's an excerpt of a article that was written by an angry citizen:

The Courageous Dred Scott


 

"The three hundred and forty-seven thousand five hundred and twenty-five Slaveholders in the Republic, accomplished day before yesterday a great success — as shallow men estimate success. They converted the Supreme Court of Law and Equity of the United States of America into a propagandist of human Slavery. Fatal day for a judiciary made reputable throughout the world, and reliable to all in this nation, by the learning and the virtues of Jay, Rutledge, Ellsworth, Marshall and Story!

The conspiracy is nearly completed. The Legislation of the Republic is in the hands of this handful of Slaveholders. The United States Senate assures it to them. The Executive power of the Government is theirs. Buchanan took the oath of fealty to them on the steps of the Capitol last Wednesday. The body which gives the supreme law of the land, has just acceded to their demands, and dared to declare that under the charter of the Nation, men of African descent are not citizens of the United States and can not be — that the Ordinance of 1787 was void — that human Slavery is not a local thing, but pursues its victims to free soil, clings to them wherever they go, and returns with them — that the American Congress has no power to prevent the enslavement of men in the National Territories — that the inhabitants themselves of the Territories have no power to exclude human bondage from their midst — and that men of color can not be suitors for justice in the Courts of the United States!"

          This case also made it seem as if slavery was starting to catch on and expand. Therefore, the Northerners were a little frightened for what was to happen next. However, it turned out to work in their favor. The few Southerners that were anti-slavery finally put their foot down and decided to stand up for their views. This caused the Republican party to strengthen.

Thanks to these websites for making this blog possible:

1. www.nps.gov
2. www.pbs.org
3. www.wikipedia.org



The States With Power

MISSOURI COMPROMISE


In 1820, the Congress believed that the way to compromise between the southern and northern states was for there to be an equal amount of slave and free states. So this law was their way of trying to make peace.
36°30′ north was a line used to divide slave and free states west of the Mississippi River, with the exception of Missouri,which became a slave state. Because of this Maine entered as a free state, so the states would be balanced out.


TARIFF, NULLIFICATION CRISIS, + STATES' RIGHT

The government put a protective tariff on imported goods in 1828. They did this to protect the Norths' economy, which it did. However, the Southerners had something to say about it. It did them a great disservice, because it increased the cost of goods not made in the US, which they bought often. Their economy wouldn't last long if it continued, so they decided to revolt. With James C. Calhoun as their leader, they made a declaration to not follow the law: a nullification. To avoid war, the government lowered the tariff.


COMPROMISE OF 1850


The Compromise had 5 major points:

1. Texas present day borders are set in exchange for US assuming dept
2. The land that used to be Texas was divided into NM, AZ, UT, and NV
3. Slavery was abolished in Washington DC
4. The Fugitive Slave Act was passed; a.was controversial b.required citizens to assist in the recovery of fugitive slaves c.denied jury trials d.claim process was easier e.more federal officials
5. California becomes a free state

The Georgia Platform was a document that stated it was in agreement with the Compromise, and that they believed that this was the solution to their problems.

Thanks to these websites for making this blog possible:

1. www.wikipedia.org
2. www.texastribune.org

Slavery- Inside the Torment

       Slavery was a time of pain, frustration, and constrictions. There were so many rules and restrictions put on the lives of African Americans. They were treated as objects or pets to be sold and bought whenever their masters pleased.
  

  They suffered through many hardships, consisting of...

• whipping and beating (were killed if they fought back)
• the separation of their families
• all rights are taken away (including free market, freedom of speech,etc.)
• weren't allowed to be educated
• got a myriad of diseases
• sometimes even beat by the own kind (drivers)
• lived in horrible conditions
• malnourishment

 Some additional Facts...

•  Black men married white women, ensuring that their children would be born free.
• The nature of the slave family depended on what type of farm they lived in. For example larger farms, such as rice plantations, would most likely keep the family together. This is because with larger plantations, more slaves are needed.
• By the early 1700s, southern slave owners finally realized that it is profitable to let slaves marry. The more children made and not needed, the more they could sell, the more money they got. However northern slave owners did not agree and did not approve of marriage among slaves.
• Owners often sold young girls, especially the light ones, to prostitution
• When a master died, his slaves will be distributed to his children or sold
• Female slaves sometimes had to breast feed the white babies
• Parents hoped their kids with die to relieve them from their grief
• Newly freed slaves often go searching for their long lost kin

Slavery, although a horrid time, was beneficial to our society. We would not only be a lot less advanced in electronics and even business, but we would might have had been all the same race. Everyone would be a mix of this or that, and although some people might see this as a plus, i believe it would take away from each of our uniqueness. If everyone on the planet was one culture, one race, then what would you have to learn. People travel the world to learn about others ethnicity's, however what would they learn if we were all the same.

If you are really interested and want to learn a little more about their history go to this website:
http://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/tserve/freedom/1609-1865/essays/aafamilies.htm

Thanks to these websites for making this possible:

1. www.pbs.org
2. www.whatdoesitmean.com
3. www.answersinhistory.wordpress.com
4. www.nationalhumanitiescenter.org