Lincoln & America's Social Revolution James McPherson,

 
 
 
 
James McPherson, in his book, Abraham Lincoln and the Second Revolution, argues that the Civil War brought about a much more radical change in government than the first American Revolution in 1776. When considered closely, three key Civil War documents - namely the Emancipation Proclamation, Lincoln's second inaugural address, and the 13th Amendment - each support the notion of a major political and social revolution having occurred in the form of the Civil War.

Having defined "revolution" in a number of ways, McPherson makes clear that dramatic and often sudden political change is indeed one form of revolution. Therefore, the election of Abraham Lincoln himself is the first way in which the Civil War era can be considered as such. Southern Democrats had dominated the national government for two generations. With sectional differences at an all time high, Abraham Lincoln, a Republican, put a halt to the Democrats' election streak. Before Lincoln was even elected, seven southern states had seceded from the Union and formed the Confederacy (McPherson 28). This major political power shift indicated an air of revolution and it was noted as such by the southern states that, as McPherson earlier points out, realized the impending social and economic structure changes that would occur when he freed the slaves. To echo modern day strategists, the South acted "preemptively" by seceding even before Lincoln took office, to avoid a revolution, when the reality is that their ac


     
 
 
 
    

 

Related Essays

LINCOLN, JOHNSON AND RECONSTRUCTION This resear .... Foner, Eric. America's Unfinished Revolution 1863-1877. .... "Emancipating the Republic: Lincoln and the .... Perret, Geoffrey. Ulysses S. Grant Soldier & President. .... (6046 24 )

Impact of the Murder of Abraham Lincoln .... Gabor S. Boritt, ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 1992. .... Plowden, David, ed. Lincoln and His America, 1809-1865, with the Words of Abraham Lincoln. .... (9137 37 )

CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT VS. WOMEN'S RIGHTS MOVEMENT .... Donald, David H. Lincoln. .... Reconstruction: America's Unfinished Revolution 1863-1877. .... Gerteis, Louis S. Morality & Utility in American Antislavery Reform. .... (7476 30 )



Category: History - L
 
 
 
Common Topics
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Click Here to Get Instant Access to over 32,000 Professionally Written Papers!!!
 
 
 
Join Now  
 
 
 
 
 
Saved Papers  
 
 
Save your essays here so you can locate them quickly!
 
 
 
Testimonials  
 
"Thank you for making such a high quality site! Your papers are the best I have seen around"
Debbie B.
 
"Your site was very helpful and gave me the details I needed in order to complete my essay!!!"
Mike F.
 
"This site is an excellent vehicle for quick referrences. Thanks a bunch!"
Carla T.
 
"Great site, I got a lot of new ideas I would have never thought of before."
Nate A.
 
"I love this site!!!"
Marie H.
 
 
 
 
Copyright © 2007 - 2012 Lots of Essays. All Rights Reserved. DMCA