Politics during the Civil War The Expanding Presidency

Union Politics Lincoln’s Cabinet Lincoln’s Cabinet William Seward: Secretary of State, kept England and France out of the war. William Seward: Secretary of State, kept England and France out of the war. Salmon Chase: Treasury Secretary, leading abolitionist, eventually place on the Supreme Court. Salmon Chase: Treasury Secretary, leading abolitionist, eventually place on the Supreme Court. Edwin Stanton: Secretary of War, “War Democrat” Edwin Stanton: Secretary of War, “War Democrat”

Border State Crisis Lincoln: Lincoln: must keep border states in the nation. must keep border states in the nation. Declares martial law in Maryland. Declares martial law in Maryland. Troops sent to West Virginia and Missouri Troops sent to West Virginia and Missouri Must attract mountain whites or keep them neutral. Must attract mountain whites or keep them neutral. 50,000 join the Union army (W.Va). 50,000 join the Union army (W.Va).

The Public Lincoln Public statements had to cater to Border States Public statements had to cater to Border States Primary purpose of war was to preserve the Union at all costs. Primary purpose of war was to preserve the Union at all costs. Declared Union not fighting to end slavery Declared Union not fighting to end slavery Aug. 22, 1862 letter to Horace Greeley: “My paramount object is to save the Union, and is not either to save or destroy slavery…If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone, I would also do that.” Aug. 22, 1862 letter to Horace Greeley: “My paramount object is to save the Union, and is not either to save or destroy slavery…If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone, I would also do that.” Antislavery statements would have led to insurrection in the border states. Antislavery statements would have led to insurrection in the border states.

Emancipation Proclamation Lincoln knows announcement can lead to Border state revolt. Lincoln knows announcement can lead to Border state revolt. Decides keeping Europe out more important. Decides keeping Europe out more important.

European Diplomacy Aristocracies support Confederate cause. FranceEnglandAustria-Hungary (Except Russia)

Why did King Cotton Fail? 1861=oversupply of cotton 1861=oversupply of cotton Working class England and France hated slavery and influenced their governments. Working class England and France hated slavery and influenced their governments. By 1863 cotton supplies run low but Lincoln had issued the Emancipation By 1863 cotton supplies run low but Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Captured cotton shipped by North during the war Captured cotton shipped by North during the war Northern grain fed England during bad harvests Northern grain fed England during bad harvests England’s economy boomed lowering unemployment. England’s economy boomed lowering unemployment.

British Diplomacy Officially Neutral Officially Neutral Trent Affair Trent Affair Naval Base Naval Base CSS Alabama CSS Alabama Charles Francis Adams Charles Francis Adams Laird Rams Laird Rams

French Diplomacy Napoleon III openly hostile to Union Napoleon III openly hostile to Union 1863 enthroned Maximilian as Emperor of Mexico 1863 enthroned Maximilian as Emperor of Mexico US cautious, does not want to widen the war US cautious, does not want to widen the war

Domestic Politics Homestead Act of 1862 Homestead Act of 1862 Morrill Land Grant Act 1862 Morrill Land Grant Act 1862 Pacific Railway Act 1863 Pacific Railway Act 1863

Expanding the Presidency Motive: Lincoln felt saving Union more important than following the Constitution. Motive: Lincoln felt saving Union more important than following the Constitution. Congress generally agreed. Congress generally agreed.

Bending the Rules Lincoln declares blockade Lincoln declares blockade Increases the size of the army and navy Increases the size of the army and navy Extended enlistments to three years Extended enlistments to three years Suspended writ of habeas corpus Suspended writ of habeas corpus

More Bending Arranged for “supervised” elections Arranged for “supervised” elections Shut down opposition newspapers, arrested editors Shut down opposition newspapers, arrested editors Signed a bill outlawing slavery which conflicted with Dred Scott decision. Signed a bill outlawing slavery which conflicted with Dred Scott decision.

Confederate Politics States’ Rights limited Jefferson Davis’ power. States’ Rights limited Jefferson Davis’ power. CSA: created by secession therefore it could not deny future secession CSA: created by secession therefore it could not deny future secession Davis almost impeached Davis almost impeached Davis a poor politician Davis a poor politician Relied on “King Cotton” Relied on “King Cotton”

Assassination April 14, 1865 Ford’s Theater by John Wilkes Booth. April 14, 1865 Ford’s Theater by John Wilkes Booth. Dooms the South to worse punishment Dooms the South to worse punishment