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North and south differences that led to civil war
Conflict resolution research paper
Conflict resolution research paper
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The American Civil War between the North and the South was one of the most significant wars in American History, and the most destructive war ever fought on American soil. The war began in 1861 and ended in 1865. On July 1, 1863, the Confederate army and the Union army fought in the largest battle of the American Civil War, the Battle of Gettysburg. Throughout Michael's Shaara's novel, "The Killer Angels," the North and south had many differing attitudes toward the war, such as the overall cause, opposing amongst each individual throughout the book. The North and the South both demonstrate their motives for taking part in the war, while their attitudes towards each other and their beliefs of the events that will occur after the war differ …show more content…
Furthermore, the first attitude that the Union reveals is their overall reason for being there. On page 30, Chamberlain explains, “This is a different kind of army. If you look at history you’ll see men fight for pay, or women, or some other kind of loot…But we’re here for something different. I don’t…this hasn't happened much in the history of the world. We’re an army going out to set other men free.” This statement occurs when Chamberlain is describing to the 100 felons why they should choose to assist in fighting the war. He explains that for the greater majority of the troops in this army, they are fighting for this one very universally important cause. In the same way, the Army of the Potomac also proves that the country will most likely never be a conjoined union. On page 179, Kilrain describes, “What will happen, do you think, if we lose? Do you think the country will ever get back together again? … Doubt it. Wound it too deep.” This suggests that Kilrain believes that the likelihood that the USA will stay together is slim to none. Although these views may not completely hold true, the original passion within these men to speak their minds speaks volumes about their beliefs during this intense battle in
After the Confederate victory at Chancellorsville in May of 1863, General Robert E. Lee and his Army of Northern Virginia embarked on their 2nd invasion of the north. General Lee’s first campaign into the north resulted in the Confederate defeat at Antietam. The failure of Lee’s first northern campaign raises the question of his motives. The Confederate Army was...
“Their differing perceptions of the nature of war form the backbone of the difficult relationship between these two men.” Lee, an older soldier, values much of an offensive warfare approach, while Longstreet values a defensive warfare approach. Both men consistently argue about the best option for the Confederacy. However, “no matter how much he might disagree, Longstreet defers to Lee’s decisions.” In an argument as to who was right, none of the developed tactics provide clear evidence as to what was going to work, especially with a military of lesser men, considering the war in 1863. Although General Lee’s tactics did not work during the Battle of Gettysburg, there is no evidence that General Longstreet’s defensive strategy would have worked significantly better. Therefore, neither of the generals exceeded the other when it comes to military strategies, which rather debunks Shaara’s depiction of Longstreet’s advanced knowledge of modern warfare. Despite of the importance of the Battle of Gettysburg, often marked as the turning point of the war, General Longstreet should not obey an order that results in a significant loss of men that would be extremely difficult to replace at this time. Already limited by the amount of men still able to fight, pushing additional forces in an open battle would just nearly deplete the confederate soldiers completely, and
Shaara’s novel Killer Angels shows the battle of Gettysburg through a number of unique viewpoints. Shaara offers a more intimate view of the battle than other Civil War novels. A reader can see the battle through the eyes of both Union and Confederate leaders. Through the novel the reader is able to see why each character is fighting and what they hope to gain from the war. Readers can also see the effect that the war has on the different characters. I will examine the war through the eyes of several different characters from Shaara’s novel.
The book “For Cause and Comrades: Why Men Fought In The Civil War” by James M. McPherson examines the motivations of the soldiers who fought in the Civil War. McPherson wanted to understand why the men fought in the Civil War and why they fought so ferociously for such a large amount of time even though there was a huge possibility of death, disease and injurys.To answer the question regarding the reasons why men fought in the Civil War so viciously, and for such a long period of time, James McPherson studied countless amounts of letters, diaries and other mails that were written or sent by the soldiers who fought in the Civil War.
Lee had supreme confidence in his army, and believed that it could accomplish whatever he asked of it. This confidence sometimes led him to ask too much, such as in the case of Picket’s charge during the battle of Gettysburg. In Lee’s mind he was first and foremost a Christian, and a gentleman. These facts, although not bad, certainly caused Lee to be less aggressive, and to fight the war in a very old-fashioned manner. This was not so with Grant, who seemed to believe in a more modern type of total warfare. Perhaps because this war, as many contend, was the first modern war, it was impossible for the South, and it’s leaders to adapt to the situation.
Though morale became very low toward the end of the war, Watkins recounts the passion the privates felt for both the war and for their beloved South. He believed that the Confederate Army were “…trying to protect their homes and families, their property, their constitution and their laws, that had been guaranteed to them as a heritage forever by their forefathers.” Though slavery was an issue, it was not the primary concern and was rarely mentioned in the memoir. However, Watkins did write that any man who owned twenty or more slaves back home was allowed to leave the army, and he notes the war “…was a rich man’s war and a poor man’s fight”. The South and its inhabitants especially believed that they were fighting for the faith that each state was a separate sovereign government, as laid down by the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Many southerners felt that the North was invading their country and doing despicable things all under the name of the “Union”, and that the war was a necessary last resort after all efforts to conciliate the North had already been made.
War is a complicated event. Many different factors are considered in the strategic planning during a war. The number of troops, ammunition supplies, and the lay of the land are just three of the considerations that must be given when fighting a battle. Such considerations were made during the Civil War Battle of Gettysburg. In The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara, Shaara uses geography throughout his recounting of the event. His use of geography is seen in his descriptions of the people involved, his description of the climate, and his superb outlining of the natural landscape.
The book ‘For Cause and Comrades’ is a journey to comprehend why the soldiers in the Civil War fought, why they fought so passionately, and why they fought for the long period of time. Men were pulling guns against other men who they had known their whole lives. McPherson’s main source of evidence was the many letters from the soldiers writing to home. One of the many significant influences was how the men fought to prove their masculinity and courage. To fight would prove they were a man to their community and country. Fighting also had to do with a duty to their family. Ideology was also a major motivating factor; each side thought they were fighting for their liberty. The soldier’s reputations were created and demolished on the battlefield, where men who showed the most courage were the most honored. Religion also played an important role because the second Great Awakening had just occurred. Their religion caused the men who thought of themselves as saved to be fearless of death, “Religion was the only thing that kept this soldier going; even in the trenches…” (McPherson, p. 76) R...
The Confederate jobs, wealth, and property (including slaves) were at stake. “Confederates fought for independence, for their property and way of life, for their very survival as a nation” (McPherson, 27). For this reason, dedication for the cause was strong for Confederates. A collection of letters from Civil War soldiers online, alongside with McPherson’s evidence, shows the patriotism and dedication to their nation and slaves. Confederates stood behind each other and were dedicated to having their own nation; one soldier stated, “that if he was killed, it would be while ‘fighting gloriously for the undying principles of Constitutional liberty and self government’” (McPherson, 11). Private Street, while on his death bed, wrote to his wife: "we must never dispair, for death is preferable to a life spent under the gaulling yoke of abolition rule" (Street, 1862). The reasons that fueled Confederate soldiers were the very practices that they strived on in everyday life; these soldiers naturally had dedication, but patriotism towards their nation and brotherhood is universal between the letters presented, and helped unify the Confederacy.
Exciting extreme alarm or intense fear describes the life of mine and others. The screaming of war is like kids yelling for what they want. Religious people, are people who are against war; they are called Quakers. At one point soldiers started to not trust George Washington and they started leaving which led more and more people leaving. I have decided to reenlist because I have pride in my country, knowing my lifestyle, and I will always fight for my country.
The Civil War was the bloodiest, most devestating war that has ever been fought on American soil. It began on April 12, 1861, at 4:30 in the morning. The main reason that the war was fought was because Southern states believed that they should have the right to use African-Americans as slaves, and the Northern States opposed that belief.
Lee recognized the dwindling resource supply and concluded that success required offensive action. Lee, with the support of Jefferson Davis, hoped aggressive military tactics would push out Union forces devastating Southern soil and end the war before the home front fell apart. However, his plan to “take the war to the North, take the war out of Virginia…[and] hopefully get into Maryland” would require more soldiers (blight). But with the destruction and loss of land, particularly that devoted to industry and agriculture, efficiency on the home front was more important than ever. Approximately 61.5% of Confederate soldiers lived as farmers or farm laborers. Some of these men needed to remain on the home front to preserve some stability. However, by 1864, Lee could not “see how [the Confederacy could] escape the natural military consequences of the enemy’s numerical superiority” unless “no man should be excused from service” (gin, 252). With an army whose “ranks [were] growing weaker” and “losses [were] not supplied by recruits”, the battlefront’s strength would dwindle without additional recruits (gin, 150). Unfortunately for the Confederacy, too few men existed to sustain both the home front and the
In the history of the United States, there have been many wars like Civil War. Civil War is a war in the United States between the North and the South. In “The Killer Angels” by Michael Shaara is explained of the fogginess that often accompanies warfare. This novel talks about the period of June 30th, 1863 through July 3rd, 1863 when civil war was happening. It is a story of the Battle of Gettysburg, three years into the Civil War. The Killer Angels is also a story that at times questions what the Civil War was about. The Civil War was a war fought over slavery and the North made their own way to South by imposing the South. Slavery was the main reason what got the Civil War started in the South and separation between South and North was stronger.
The Killer Angel The Battle of Gettysburg fought in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania from July 1 to July 3, 1863, is considered the bloodiest battle in American history. It’s also considered the most important battle that took place during the American Civil war, because after the Battle of Gettysburg the south never really recovers, resulting in them to never won another major battle the rest of the war. Well behind every great battle there is a great leader, whether it’s one that brings utter chaos or one that sincerely wants a change. In the novel The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara, a historical fictional story of the battle of Gettysburg
Confederate General James Longstreet saw the Union position as nearly impregnable and told Lee it should be left alone. He argued that Lee's Army should instead move east between the Union Army and Washington and build a defensive position thus forcing the Federals to attack ...