Politics of War

After today you should be able to answer the following questions: What obstacles did the Union face politically and diplomatically during the war? What impact did the Emancipation Proclamation have on the politics of war? Why did riots occur throughout northern cities, and what was the response of the government?

Great Britain South wants England as an ally The Trent Affair England now has no use for Southern cotton (India) BUT, England relies on Northern wheat and corn The Trent Affair CSA sends two men to try to talk with GB 1861, Union captures them aboard a British mail ship, the Trent The British outraged, claimed the seizure of a neutral ship by the U.S. Navy was a violation of international law. Britain threatens war - sends 8,000 men to Canada Lincoln avoids war with Britain through diplomacy Britain chooses to remain neutral throughout the war

Cap’n Charles Wilkes

CSA Envoys to Britain James Murray Mason John Slidell

Emancipation Proclamation Lincoln - disliked slavery, but didn’t think the federal government had the power to abolish it. Issues the E.P. because: His desire to win the war Keep Britain from entering war Slaves were being used behind the lines

Pausing before he signed the final Proclamation, Lincoln reportedly said: I never, in my life, felt more certain that I was doing right that I do in signing this paper.

Emancipation Proclamation January 1st, 1863 Only applied to slaves outside Union control and behind Confederate lines Reactions: North - most people happy, especially free blacks (allowed to enlist in the military). Some thought it was a way of antagonizing South. South - outraged; no hope of a compromise. Made South even more determined to win the war

Dark blue = free Union states Red = Confederacy Light blue = Union states where slavery still existed

Emancipation from Freedmen's viewpoint; illustration from Harper's Weekly 1865

A Union soldier reads the Emancipation Proclamation to newly freed slaves. After Lincoln signed the Proclamation, celebrations took place throughout the country.

Problems & Drama… Both North and the South has people sympathetic to the other side Baltimore crowd attacked a Union regiment Lincoln suspended the writ of habeas corpus: A court order that a person being jailed needs to be brought to the court to determine why they are in jail Why was it issued? Disloyalty and dissent among Confederate sympathizers in Maryland The need to protect the Union army from CSA sympathizers

Pratt Street Riot - Baltimore

Disloyalty Among those arrested were Copperheads Northern Democrats that advocated peace with CSA Both Union and CSA pass conscription laws…Why? Heavy casualties and desertion The need to win the war South: could buy your way out of the draft by paying for a substitute (could also buy your way out in the North) Planters with 20+ slaves exempt

Draft Riots New York City (1863) Lower-class white workers were angered about having to fight a war to free slaves…WHY? Low wages, bad living conditions, and high unemployment among the lower class stirred up a mob mentality and racism July 13-16: Riots!!! By the time federal stopped it more than 100 people were dead and Lincoln declared marshal law in the city http://www.press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/317749.html

Rioters and Federal Troops Clash