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U.S. Civil War Essay

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Introduction

The American Civil War forever changed the face of a divided and troubled nation. From 1861 to 1854, the citizens of the United States turned against each other and shed their own brother's blood. The divergence between the Union and Confederacy involved issues from political and military precursors to economical and ethical constituents. The significance and sweep of the Civil War was recorded not just through great politicians and generals, but also through the words of soldiers, wives and most importantly the former slaves. Behind the Civil War laid intricate causes, presidential controversy, life changing political documents, and a historical outcome. The Civil War was genuinely an ugly and atrocious war, but it was a war worth fighting for. The causes of the Civil War are not as simple as black and white; there are many shades of gray. It was more than a battle of right and wrong, it was fight to unite the country under one belief hence one side would have to relinquish their ways. ...read more.

Middle

He vehemently believed "there [was] no reason in the world why the Negro [was] not entitled to all the natural rights enumerated in the Declaration of Independence, the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness (Lincoln, 1858)." Lincoln strongly felt that no one should be deprived of the basic rights of a human for the pigment of some one's skin was of no importance when it came to that matter. All people deserved a chance at happiness and freedom in his eyes. However, Lincoln acknowledges that "... [the Negro was] not his equal in many respects-certainly not in color, perhaps not in moral or intellectual [power] (Lincoln, 1858)." He was subtly racist for he assumed the people of color were inferior to him simply because of their darker complexion. Even so, he thought everyone have the right too all liberties that humans enjoy. The Emancipation of Proclamation was the first step for the Union to commit to giving blacks and whites alike their basic freedoms. ...read more.

Conclusion

A state cannot make laws limiting the rights of citizen, nor refuse due process of law (Burson, 2004)". The government protected the former slaves by giving them state and federal citizenship. Their rights and liberties were guarded and bounded by the Constitution. Unfortunately, racism and discrimination continued to be present throughout the nation. Slaves endured the events that led up to the war, the presidential controversy, their emancipation, and reconstruction of their home. Even after protective laws, amendments and citizenship, African Americans were still slaves by another name. They lived in an atmosphere that seemed like a living holocaust. Lynching were a common practice among the Southerners. A variety of industries would use authoritative oppression to incarcerate former slaves or extend a punishment. There is no retribution for the acts committed. The former slaves and their children were subjected to a hostile society. Africans have had a dark and ugly past in the Americas. No amount of justice can undo the destitution and coercion that they had to tolerate. ?? ?? ?? ?? Tran 1 ...read more.

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