1. Lincoln Struggles to Preserve what is left of the Union
Unit 7: Civil War

2. Secure DC & Deal with Political Opposition
Why are Border States important to the south?
DC would be an island
the only lines for overland supplies, troop movements, transportation, and communication to Washington, D.C., ran through Maryland, with the railroads running through Baltimore.

3. Riots in Maryland 6th Massachusetts Arrives in Baltimore. Results
20,000 person mob forms
Fight their way through
Results
4 soldiers and 12 Baltimoreans die
Mayor orders bridges destroyed.
Lincoln suspends Habeas Corpus –

4. Maryland becomes an issue
Maryland is an uncertain ally.
Lincoln monitors the Maryland legislature and arrests a number of its members.
(Guantanamo Bay, Cuba)
In 2007 there were 395 terrorism suspects being held at a
high-security prison at the U.S. Naval Base in Guantánamo
Bay, Cuba

5. Lincoln Suspends Habeas Corpus
Right of any person under arrest to appear in court, to ensure they have not been falsely accused.
Only Civil Liberty included in original constitution.
Who has the power to suspend this right?

6. Another Case – John Merrymen
Arrested in May of 1862
Participating in a group whose mission was armed resistance of government.
Wrote to Rodger Taney
Supreme Court Chief
Roger Taney
Issues Writ of Habeas Corpus b/c only Congress could order a suspension
Lincoln ignored Taney saying he had the power - refused Merrymen’s release

7. Copperheads-1863 Known as Peace Democrats
Urged the South to secede and demanded an armistice with the Confederacy
Their leader, Ohio Congressman Vallandigham was exiled to the Confederacy
Confederate sympathizers were to be tried in military courts.

8. Lincoln’s Sets a precedent
Constitutional or not?
What is more important: preserving the Union? OR
Guaranteeing the rights of individuals?
Presidential War Powers
Lincoln sets an example (a precedent) for future presidents
Before Congress convened after his 1st Inaugural he called for army volunteers and spent federal funds for war.

9. Think-Pair-Share
Which of the situations described are the most severe in terms of the war? Why might they be handled differently than others?
Remember that keeping writ of habeas corpus doesn’t mean that you are automatically setting someone free; it means that you brining formal charges against them and letting the court decide if the person should be set free or go on trial. Which of the people could be brought up on charges, without suspending the writ? Why?
In which of the situations is it essential to the war effort to suspend the writ? Why?
What is the ultimate goal of suspending the writ?
The directions ask you to take the perspective of someone from a border state; how might that background influence your ideas on the suspension of the writ?
Lastly, you might ask the students to compare the suspension of the writ during the Civil War to the current war on terror; would it be appropriate to suspend the writ today? Why or why not?