"I'am a slow walker, but I never walk back" -President Abraham Lincoln

"The art of war is simple, find out where your enemy is, get at him as soon as you can and strike him as hard as you can, and keep it moving on."-General Ulysses S. Grant


The Civil War was by no means civil. This war brought about a change in America's history that I'am forever grateful for. There is a saying: "United we stand, divided we fall." We will explore the reasons for the division of the states, also why this was war was so important for the millions of African-American people and lastly the after effects this had on America as a whole. I think that war should be avoided if at all possible, but as I read on further in history, I realize sometimes, there is no other way.

The summer of 1861 was the start of a war that would forever change the lives of the American people. The rising tensions of the Northern and Southern states could no longer be ignored. The Southerners were feeling that their livelihood was being threatened. Slaves were an integral part of the lives of the Southern people and the thought of the possible loss of their economic status was not to be born. The North wanted more land and the freedoms that come with it. A few were also angered by the injustices that the slaves suffered. The Civil War was about to become a clash of the Titans, each side secure of victory, past compromises and laws were long forgotten. This was disheartening to President Abraham Lincoln and he is quoted as saying:
"Both parties deprecated war, but one of them would make war rather than let that nations survive, and the other would accept war than let it perish." It was a conundrum, there was not an easy way out.

For the millions of black people who were in enslaved, the Civil War meant freedom; and because of this they took risks to enlist and fight. The slaves escaped by the thousands from the southern plantations, some with just the clothes on their backs. By 1862, the smell of emancipation was in the air. On July 17, the congress adopted the second Confiscation Act, "Under the act, Confederates who did not surrender within 60 days of the acts passage were to be punished by having their slaves freed." (Source: "Historical Times Encyclopedia of the Civil War" Edited by Patricia L. Faust) By September 22, the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation promised freedom to slaves in the areas that were still in rebellion. This was a great victory for the slaves; no matter which way you look at it, the Civil War was about racism, and looking back in history, this seemed to be the underlying cause of some of our most horrific wars.

The Civil War was a blood bath of horror. Harsh weather, lack of food and clean water, unskilled surgeons with their bloody, unsanitary scalpels and needles hastened the spread of infection and disease. All of this culminated to the death of about 620,000 soldiers. On April 9, 1865, Lee surrendered, the North had won. The end of The Civil War paved the way for the rise of industrial capitalism and most importantly the end of slavery. Was it worth it? Yes. Was it unfortunate? Yes. For America, the pro's out weigh the cons, and you know why? This wasn't any ole war-this war was about FREEDOM.

"Raise less corn and more hell" ( Mary Lease Elizabeth)

Who wrote:

Document 1
Mary Elizabeth Lease

Document 2
Ignatius Donnelly

Document 3
Lorenzo Lewelling

Audience:
WCTU, People's Party Convention, Inaugural Address

Represent:
The farmers, workmen and laborers who were sinking under the strain of unfair politics and a poor economy.

What is being said, argued/and or requested:

In document 1 Mary Elizabeth Lease is recounting the earlier days of America. The days before mortgages and credit. She is saying that we went from having hope and optimism to despair and loss because of the unfair monopoly of our financial system.

In document 2 Ignatius Donnelly is speaking on the rise of the rich and ever sinking status of the poor. The unbalance of these two economic groups was a great injustice. Bribery and corruption were ruining the plight of the laborers, farmers and workmen at the hands of capitalists.

In document 3 Lorenzo Lewelling address was on the plight of the farmers of America. He attacked social Darwinism with a empathetic intimacy. He spoke on the governments lack of protection for the hardworking farmer. The government was failing in it's duties to protect and help the American people, it was time for a change.

How it's being said:

In short the Populist movement was a movement against a government that was catering to the wealthy. These voices of protest were an important start in the "little" people having a voice. They were speaking out against the banking systems which were believed to be working in the favor of the wealthy few; as well as the corruption and bribery in politics. They were hoping for a new political party, one that placed importance on insuring an active role of economic equity.

What Proof:
The proof that was cited per the documents consisted more of what was perceived and gathered from extensive research of America's dwindling economy, and the farmers, working poor, and laborers.

Historic Significance/relevance:
The forming of a "Populist Party" was an important step in the highlighting of future banking issues, as well as currency and electoral reforms.

How does this document’s premise or theme fit into the historical context you are reading about in your textbook?

These documents were a very important part of this historical context. We have 3 people who recognized the seriousness of the unbalanced plight of hard-working American men and women. Their passions joined with others encouraged a change in American politics that reaches far into today.

History CDL Assigment

America is the land of the free and the home of the brave. It is to this place that between 1880-1914 millions of Jews fled religious persecution. Russia was a in a state of unrest, the Jews were easy targets for frustrations. The violence against the Jews was rising, homes were being ransacked and personals items destroyed, they were beaten, tormented and in more than a few cases-put to death. America was a beacon of light to the Russian Jews, a place where they could worship safely and rebuild their lives.

Traveling by steamboat was the main way of travel from country to country in those days, for the many immigrants, it was a long, hard journey. The quarters below the decks were dark, tight and cramped. Many times they shared what little space they had with cattle, the spread of infection and disease killed many. This did not deter the family of Abraham Bisno; They were among some of the first Russian immigrants determined to get to America, they sold everything they had, even the clothes off their backs to pay for a passage to America.

For the Russian Jews, settling into America was not always easy, many lived in slums and worked in factories and sweatshops. Many saved up their money and built businesses, for them, having their freedom was worth the price.


Why was is so hard for the immigrants once they arrived in America?

The assassination of which Czar caused the anti-semantic pogroms to be at an all time high? And why?