It is eerily personal, as we complete this course reading about the civil war and living through today’s adversarial climate of protesters, division of social, economic and political parties. As Abraham Lincoln said in the Gettysburg Address “and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from this earth” (Lincoln 428). The Civil War, while largely believed to be largely about slavery it appears to me that state’s right played just as an important role in the actual cause and continuance of the war. The division of the states and their prosperity, industry, education and representation in Congress divided this country, much as it is today.
The argument boils down to the fact that the South would rather “make war...then let the Union survive” however, the North was willing to “accept war rather than let it perish” showing us that the South was fighting for the money while the North was fighting for the idea and the hope that the Founding Fathers have planted.
States’ rights, the powers held by individual U.S. states rather than by the federal government, had been an issue since the ratification of the Constitution when some feared that the federal government had more power than the states and wanted an outline of the Americans’ basic liberties. During the lead up to the official outbreak of war, state powers were a matter that caused major conflict between the North and the South. When South Carolina seceded from the Union, they stated that the Northern states had “denied the rights of property established in fifteen of the States and recognized by the Constitution.” At this time, slaves were seen as property rather than humans, and the right to property was guaranteed by the fifth Amendment. Although the quote does not explicitly mention slavery, it can be seen that South Carolina seceded because the state had felt like its so-called entitlement to own slaves had been violated when Northern states began to disregard the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850 which required all runaway slaves to be returned to their master even if they had escaped to a free state.
Apostles of Disunion, written by Charles B. Dew, is a book that focuses on the topics of Slavery, States’ rights, and Secession. The introduction chapter of the book talks about how Dew grew up as a “son of the south”, and how his ancestors fought for the confederacy. He talks about how he went to school in Virginia and he packed his Confederate flag to hang on his wall. Dew says that he didn’t think much about secession, however, he knew that the south had seceded for the lonely reason of states’ rights.
Document A: The Rhode Island Assembly wrote a letter to the Congress, addressing them that they don’t agree with placing taxes on imported goods. The Congress wanted to place taxes on imported goods as a source of income, but first, all of the states had to agree with this. This was around the time when the Articles of Confederation were ratified. Their central government was based on the Articles of Confederation; yet, they had weaknesses in some areas. Taxing was one of their weaknesses. The Congress didn’t have the power to enforce taxes on imported goods, so they discussed it with the states. Rhode Island didn’t agree with putting taxes on imported goods, and therefore, the congress wasn’t allowed to do it. In the letter, the Rhode Island Assembly proves that this tax is contrary to the constitution, and thus, it shouldn’t be
As stated before, the US was justified in going to war with Mexico because of three reasons, Americans were killed, Texas was already annexed, and Manifest Destiny allows it. The United states had many superb reasons for going to war with Mexico. This essay is significant because it helps explain the United States’ choice to go to war with
“The lack of… nationality, I believe, is one of the great evils of the times…” Senator John Sherman stated on February 10, 1863. The United States had been split into sections from the beginning, and it created a lack of unity and togetherness. In Document A, the reader can acquire from the reading that South Carolina (and later many other states) seceded from the Union because of states’ rights. Document A states that an amendment (specifically the
The Texas House of Representatives organization is one in which one hundred and fifty members compose it. Each of these members is to be elected for a two-year term. As well, each member in this position has to be a natural U.S. Citizen of the United States and must be at least 21 years of age or older. Prior to entering an election he/ she must have two complete years of been a resident of the state and one year of been a resident of the district from which they were chosen to form part. The Texas House of Representative is in charge of electing the speaker of the house, which is also known as the presiding officer. This house organization basically stands to construct and enforce its own rules, as it also judges the right qualifications
On September 2nd, 1862, Abraham Lincoln famously signed the Emancipation Proclamation. After that, there’s been much debate on whether Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation truly played a role in freeing the slaves with many arguments opposing or favoring this issue. In Vincent Harding’s essay, The Blood-red Ironies of God, Harding argues in his thesis that Lincoln did not help to emancipate the slaves but that rather the slaves “self-emancipated” themselves through the war. On the opposition, Allen C Guelzo ’s essay, Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation: The End of Slavery in America, argues in favor of the Emancipation Proclamation and Guelzo acknowledges Lincoln for the abolishment of slavery through the Emancipation Proclamation.
He says that this is often avoided and many people say it is over reasons such as states’ rights, which is true, but he makes it very clear that the primary reason for the war was because of the heated debate over slavery. He says that southern leaders, such as Confederate Vice President Alexander Stevens claimed that slavery was the “heart of conflict.” The Fugitive Slave Act, which allowed the capture and return of fugitive slaves to their rightful owners, was pushed by Southerners, but was “a slap in the face of state rights” because when a slave escaped his owner and entered a state that was considered a “free state,” that slave should considered free, right? Wrong. According to this Act, no matter where the slave was in the United States, a slaveholder had the right to retrieve his slave.
This essay will explore the reasons as to how and why secession occurred and whether slavery was the main
The legislation consists of six major steps such as (1) initial proposal of a piece of legislation by a member of Congress, (2) the committees ' analysis of the draft, (3) preparation for the actual voting in Congress, the so called floor action, (4) the conference committee, (5) the analysis of the draft by the President, and (6) codification of the law and its enactment.
Anyone who has been to Gettysburg knows that it is a profound experience to tour the quiet Little Round Top, Cemetery Ridge, Seminary Hill, and other hallowed ground. To fully fathom all the lives lived, the hopes and dreams of those incredibly scared and brave young boys who laid down their lives to save our country and end the injustice of slavery is impossible. Touring that battlefield is a humbling experience, but looking over the now-tranquil fields of Gettysburg made me question whether that sacrifice was worth it, when so much prejudice and hatred still lives on in America. When we came to the spot where President Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address, I reflected on the speech that I consider to be one of the most important in American history. It is one of those speeches that has stood the test of time, and is as important today as it was 154 years ago.
Duties of a Congressman Overall congressmen and congresswomen are responsible for quite a few duties that include: Representation, Legislation, Constituency, Investigation, Congressional Leadership, Personal Office Management, and Electoral/Political Activity. In a member of congress’ normal week, they participate in committee activities, greet delegations from their home states, oversee constituent services in their districts, supervise their office staff, speak on the floor, interact with news outlets, and attend various political activities like raising money, planning, and or politicking for an upcoming election. Although a congress member’s job ranges far and wide, there is no job description for their role, so upon election to congress, each member is responsible for creating a plan of work to approach a job that serves such a wide range of roles and responsibilities.
Freshman year, I took an interest in my high school debate team. Specifically in congressional debate, a competitive establishment that requires students to deliver speeches based on a certain topics in a group setting. One must argue their stated side or listen to be able to determine their concluding opinion. Beginning as a novice, felt like entering a whole new world; especially when competing with varsity members with multiple years of experience. Difficulties would emerge when competing with varsity debaters who seemed fluent and highly intelligent, which led to self-doubt and an increase in nerves. However, as the season continued I learned to feel more comfortable and confident. Confidence appeared once I addressed the barrier of relating