Politics During the Civil War

What you need to know CSA – British relations Trent Affair Emancipation Proclamation Suspension of habeas corpus Conscription laws Draft Riots

The CSA and the UK CSA needed help from Europe –CSA much poorer and less equipped than north for long war –$ from “King Cotton” would force Europe to recognize CSA Main hope for CSA was Britain

Slavery in Europe British Empire outlawed slave trade in 1807 & slavery in 1837 France banned slavery in 1814 Most of Europe banned slavery in 1815

British recognition Brits had stockpiled cotton – knew wartime supply would be low Got cotton from Egypt & India instead 1860s famine – Brits needed US corn & wheat more than CSA cotton

Trent Affair 2 CSA officials on merchant ship HMS Trent headed to UK US stopped ship to arrest CSA officials, angered Brits

Trent Affair Brits sent troops to Canada to threaten invasion of US Lincoln apologized – he didn’t want 2 wars at the same time –Had CSA officials released

Emancipation of slaves Abolitionism had grown in north since war started Lincoln much more focused on keeping union together –Slavery distant concern to him

Lincoln & southern slavery CSA had been using slaves for military support –US had the right to free slaves in south – take away ability to fight Many Brits were for emancipation –Freeing southern slaves might keep Brits from helping CSA

Emancipation Proclamation Effective January 1, 1863 Freed slaves in CSA territory –Did not free slaves in the 5 slave states that didn’t secede –MO, KY, WV, MD, DE No actual effect, only symbolism

Public opinion of EP Huge support in Britain –Ensured Brits wouldn’t help CSA Free blacks in US became able to join army & help N Democrats & soldiers thought it would drag war out

Reaction to EP in CSA Southerners were outraged –War became struggle to protect their way of life –Fought harder, more brutally

Northern attacks on USA Baltimore – crowd had attacked US army on way to Fort Sumter Lincoln’s response – suspended writ of habeas corpus

Writ of habeas corpus Law that says government has to justify why a prisoner is held Can’t just jail someone without bringing up charges on him/her

Lincoln’s crackdown Government took over many telegraph offices Supreme Court ruled that Lincoln didn’t have right to suspend habeas corpus –Lincoln ignored the ruling

Copperheads Northern people who wanted peace with the south Many were rounded up and imprisoned without trials

Conscription Drafting citizens to army duty Both CSA & US used the draft –CSA – all able-bodied men –Except men who could pay for a substitute or had >20 slaves “Rich man’s war, poor man’s fight”

Union draft law White men for 3 years Men could pay for substitutes –Or just pay $300 to avoid draft –Few US soldiers drafted – almost all (92%) were volunteers

Draft Riots Poor in northern cities didn’t want draft –They were scared of what would happen if slaves were freed –Blacks might come north for jobs

Draft Riots Poor draftees rioted in NYC –Targeted rich who could pay to avoid service –US troops stopped riots, killed more than 100 people

What you need to know CSA – British relations Trent Affair Emancipation Proclamation Suspension of habeas corpus Conscription laws Draft Riots

Homework Read Chapter 11, Section 4 (pages ) Reading quiz tomorrow