A Common Objective With Different Strategies
Throughout the early 1800’s, presidents shared various opinions respecting slavery, but every president’s ambition included producing a successful, united country. Andrew Jackson reflected that goal in 1835 during a post office mob in Charleston. Abolitionists dispersed antislavery propaganda throughout the South, which infuriated Southerners, motivating a conflict at a post office in which slavery adherents plundered and destroyed abolitionist material. Jackson’s reaction displayed the necessity of an undivided union by advising his followers to remain calm (Latner 29-32). James Madison demonstrated comparable actions by predicting that slavery would induce United States’ downfall as a whole. Madison, therefore, emphasized the importance of staying attached and not allowing slavery to tear the country apart, suggesting free blacks colonize in Africa to promote a gradual termination (“Posterity” 3-4). The urgency to maintain a cohesive unit affected decisions made by both Andrew
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Following the post office mob in Charleston, Jackson suggested outlawing abolitionist tracts in the South. While the proposal motivated to prevent violence and conflict, the result produced further polarization between the North and the South inspired by the contrast Jackson’s idea demonstrated (Latner 29-31). James Madison’s viewpoint proved the discrepancy between his and Jackson’s perspectives regarding slavery. Although he owned slaves, Madison considered slavery to clash with the principles of the Bible. He additionally expressed the federal government’s obliviousness to this concept as well as the United States citizens’ (“Posterity” 3). Despite the common goal of unity within the country, the two presidents handled actions concerning slavery incredibly
Another domestic affair is slavery and abolition, which was forcefully brought into politics. Northern evangelical opponents organized and began to bombard the nation and Congress pleas and petitions to rid the republic of this astounding mistake. People defending slavery responded with violence. South Carolina nullifiers, liked abolitionism to the tariff as part of a systematic campaign of Northern sectional oppression against the South. Andrew Jackson had bought and sold slave and used them to work his plantation. He perceived it as a threat to sectional harmony and his own national Democratic
The people of South Carolina felt that the Tariff of Abominations placed upon them favored northern manufacturers, and wanted to invalidate, or nullify it. This movement was led by Jackson’s Vice President, John C. Calhoun, who was known to be the “Voice of the South.” However, Jackson claimed that nullification is “unauthorized by the constitution of the United States, and violate the true meaning and intent thereof and are null, void, and no law, nor binding upon this State” (Primary). In other words, Jackson decided to stand against nullification of laws because they were a violation of the constitution and a sectionalism action by the South Carolinians. Jackson’s effort to fight for the rights of the union imprinted an idea that future presidents would follow. Sixteenth president Abraham Lincoln fought for the nationalist mentality his forefathers had worked to build. He attempted to abolish slavery in the South, because he believed that “A house divided against itself cannot stand” (Jackson 2001). Because Jackson fearlessly stood up for the rights of the union, he set a precedent of nationalist notions and actions that has carried throughout
With the Civil War in full swing in 1863, President Lincoln was grappling with a nation divided. Long-standing racial turmoils had finally boiled over in 1861 with the battle of Fort Sumter. The country had been thrown headfirst into bloody battles, culminating most recently with the infamous Battle of Antietam. Antietam allowed the president to issue the most important document of his career with a narrow Union “victory”and an attempt to boost low spirits. As a result, the North secured an advantage when Lincoln announced his intent to free all Confederate slaves with the shocking Emancipation Proclamation. Determined on securing and protecting the Union, Lincoln took a pragmatic approach in issuing the controversial document. A defining moment in American history, it is essential to investigates the reasons and acts leading up to it, the responses it elicited from the nation and the world, and its effects on the country.
As a result of the Compromise of 1850, California was admitted as a free state, the territory disputed between Texas and New Mexico was surrendered to New Mexico, the slave trade was abolished in the District of Columbia, the Mexican Cession was open to popular sovereignty, and a stronger Fugitive Slave Law was enacted. In a speech to the Senate on March 7, 1850, Senator Daniel Webster stated his opinion that the North is wrong for not obeying the Fugitive Slave Law and that succession is amiss [Document D].The tone of Webster’s speech is objective as he attempts to see both sides- the North and the South. Webster is unbiased because as a Northern man, he agrees with the South. The peace was only temporary. The Fugitive Slave Law upset Northerners and the Underground Railroad became more active, peaking between 1850 and 1860. Massachusetts went so far as to making it a penal offense for a state official to enforce the act. The act also brought the issue of slavery into the limelight before the entire nation. In fact, by 1858, there was no avoiding the subject of slavery. During the Lincoln-Douglass Debates in a speech at Alton, Illinois on October 15, 1858, Abraham Lincoln stated that slavery was no longer just a political issue [Document G]. Slavery was splitting the nation and during the Second Great Awakening, even churches split over the issue. Lincoln’s speech is
“’One section of our country believes slavery is right, and ought to be extended, while the other believes it is wrong, and ought to be restricted. That,’ he said with a touch of irony, ‘is the only substantial dispute’” (Oakes 140). People bickered whether or not Lincoln was doing the right thing by signing the Emancipation
Ellis describes a heated House debate in 1790 where slavery was reluctantly addressed. Benjamin Franklin and James Madison’s reactions are discussed. Ellis recognizes that in this moment, compromise was absent and the divisions within the country were becoming increasingly conspicuous. Ellis emphasize that making slavery a non-issue eventually led to the Civil War. The next event described by Ellis was the publishing of George Washington’s Farewell Address. Ellis addresses Washington’s legacy and regard for future generations of America. In his next story, Ellis examines how the relationships of 1776 turned into more sensible collaborations that would mold American history. Ellis focuses mainly on the relationship between Jefferson and Adams as well as Adams’ collaboration with his wife, Abigail. In his final piece of evidence, Ellis tells the story of the extensive communication between Adams and Jefferson during the last fourteen years of their lives, restoring their lost friendship after a political betrayal.
In contrast to Douglass, Washington’s famous speech known as the “1865 Atlantic Compromise” was not a protest or challenge of the political system, nor did he speak about the lack of social equality. Instead he focused his efforts on what blacks could accomplish, how they could compromise. He believed the militant rhetoric of Douglass and others distracted blacks from the path of liberty, equality, and economic success. Washington’s speech emphasized that it was the dual responsibility of blacks and whites to make the blacks a more
The Whigs would have supported this depiction of Jackson due to Jackson’s views on nullification, economics, and expansion. Jackson was a tyrannical ruler and abused his power often. The Whigs saw his strengthening of the executive branch monarchical and unfair. Jackson also wanted to limit the role of the federal government in economic affairs and worked to destroy the Bank of the United States (BUS). Jackson faced the nullification crisis of 1832-1833, where the convention declared the tariffs of 1832 unconstitutional. In 1833, President Jackson urged Congress to pass the Force Bill that authorized him to use military force in order to collect tariff duties. Southerners, along with the Whigs, became more conscious of their minority position. Jackson also wanted Indian tribes to move out of the way of expanding white settlement, which the Whigs were opposed to.
In the time period of 1862 to 1865, when Lincoln takes office in March 4th to his assassination, the United States was dealing with the issues of preserving the Union. In determining whether Lincoln’s goals to preserve the Union by freeing the slaves, one must assess the knowledge of their relationship. Politically, President Lincoln tried to convince the political groups that abolishing slavery would help preserve the Union; intellectually, he gave the idea of ending slavery to the citizens through speeches; and socially, after Lincoln freed the slaves, they were pursued to join the war for the Union’s cause. In order for Lincoln to save the Union, he would find it inevitable to end the slavery issue.
Throughout the history of mankind, slavery has existed in one form or another. Since the times of ancient civilizations to modern era subjugations, there have forces who feel strongly of its necessity and purpose, while others have devoted themselves to seeing the ideas and acts of slavery abolished. America is not an exception to the concept of slavery and during the nation’s early history, parties from both sides have been made famous for their beliefs in the continuation or the denouncement of slavery in the United States. To understand the contrasting views of pro-slavery advocates versus abolitionists in antebellum America, a comparison of the individual positions must be made to further understand the goals of each party.
In the later half of nineteenth century America, the new nation’s original ability to resolve conflict through means of peaceful compromise had vanished. Various spans of conflict such as Westward Expansion, the Market Revolution, Sectionalism, Mexican American War, the succession of the southern states and ultimately the failure of the Compromise of 1850 that made compromise between the North and the South unattainable. It was the uncompromising differences amongst the free and slave states over the power of the national government that created a divide that would result in divisional violence. From the industrialized North, the agricultural South, Jackson’s Presidency to Lincoln’s and the rise in America 's involvement in politics that followed, slavery was merely one pawn on the board during America’s transforming years that would later reveal itself to have been the vehicle for the Civil War.
"By the time Lincoln took the oath of office on March 4, 1861, he addressed a divided nation" (Ch. 5 pg. 164). The United States was going through hard times of dealing with slavery in the 1800’s. Slavery was the hot topic in politics of that time period just as the debate over abortion or gay marriage is today. The issue over slavery really grew in the early 1860’s; around the time President Abraham Lincoln took office. Lincoln became president and kept his own personal beliefs about slavery to himself. As his career as president progressed, he embraced the beliefs of Henry Clay and made it clear to everyone how he felt about slavery. The authors purpose to
Before Jackson’s presidency, the Missouri Compromise was passed in 1820 in an effort to create a balance between the slave states and free states. This was significant because many southerners wanted to expand slavery while northerners wanted to abolish slavery. While northerners argued that Congress should be allowed to prohibit slavery, southerners insisted on “popular sovereignty”, the idea that states should be able to determine whether or not slavery should be allowed in their state(history.com). As a result, during Jackson’s presidency, more white men began to work and as the number of states entering the union increased, laws excluding African American men from voting increased under Jackson’s reign. This shows how racial segregation increases under Jackson’s reign. African Americans were given no civils rights and equality. Because of this, there was an Abolitionist Crusade in which William Lloyd Garrison forms an Anti-Slavery Society in the 1830s. The majority of the Anti-Slavery Society is made up from democrats who protested the denial of political and civil rights to slaves. Freed and runaway slaves such as Frederick Douglass gave many speeches and wrote Narrative of the
In the early years of the 19th century, slavery was more than ever turning into a sectional concern, such that the nation had essentially become divided along regional lines. Based on economic or moral reasoning, people of the Northern states were increasingly in support of opposition to slavery, all the while Southerners became united to defend the institution of slavery. Brought on by profound changes including regional differences in the pattern of slavery in the upper and lower South, as well as the movement of abolitionism in the North, slavery in America had transformed from an issue of politics into a moral campaign during the period of 1815-1860, ultimately polarizing the North and the South to the point in which threats of a Southern disunion would mark the beginning of the Civil War in 1861 (Goldfield et. al, The American Journey, p. 281).
The adulation that he enjoyed in the six days between the Southern surrender at Appomattox and his death would have been challenged by this contentious issue. But, the enormous political capital that he gained as the victorious Commander in Chief and as the first president to be re-elected since Andrew Jackson, as well as his pragmatism, his measured idealism and typically incrementalist strategies would have allowed reconstruction to succeed and the nation could have avoided a hundred years of Jim Crow, lynchings , intimidation and enforced segregation.