THESE MAJOR FIGURES OF THE CIVIL WAR SHAPED MODERN AMERICA
Most people have always had an uneasy relationship with the Civil War, probably because of a bitter experience or losing a loved one. However, some are still fascinated with the war that it still captures their imagination. They will go as far as reading books and articles, watching films, and visiting monuments or battle sites. However, the major figures of the Civil War are sometimes forgotten. Without them, America would not have been a great nation, just like it is today.The Civil War started on April 12, 1861. It ended on May 26, 1865 due to the tensions between the South and Northern States. Through these years, Confederate and Union Soldiers would go to the deadliest war that has ever been fought on American soil.
Significant People During the Civil War
Abraham Lincoln
He rose from humble beginnings and trained himself to become a well-known lawyer in Illinois. Lincoln was selected to sit in the U.S. Senate on the Republican Party ticket and crawled his way up to become the 16th President of the United States. He also became a leader of the Union forces, and used his bravery to keep the nation together. With the help of other military commanders such as Ulysses S. Grant, Admiral David Farragut, and William T. Sherman, Lincoln secured his victory over his enemies.Even though his life was cut short due to his assassination on April 15, 1865, Lincoln was able to accomplish significant tasks, such as issuing the Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862, and outlawing slavery.
Winfield Scott
One of the major figures in the Civil War was Winfield Scott, who was also considered the longest-serving general in United States history. He had a career of 53 years, was a general when the Civil War started, and was in charge of the Union army. During this time, he realized that his age and health issues might hinder him from the role, so he offered it to Robert E Lee, who refused the position.During the war, he devised a plan to beat the Confederacy called the "Anaconda Plan." It aimed to defeat the South through a naval blockade and an attack on the Mississippi River valley, which was followed by the Union Armies.
George McClellan
He took over Scott's position after he resigned due to pressure from the government and other military members. McClellan became the chief general and was an excellent organizer and planner. Despite this, he was criticized for being too careful in his moves, resulting in the Confederate armies escaping and extending the war. Lincoln then had to make a decision to remove him from command. After the war, he took the position of governor in New Jersey.
Jefferson Davis
He was the first and only President of the Confederacy when he sat in power on February 18, 1861. Davis graduated from West Point and began his political career in 1843. He was then elected to the House of Representatives in 1845. He is most known for his passionate speeches at debates regarding western expansion, tariffs, and his support for states’ rights. Davis faced struggles while he was in power, such as balancing the military and creating a new state, which led to the defeat of the South. To avoid capture, he fled to the Confederate capital. However, he was captured in 1865 and was imprisoned. Upon his release, he worked outside of the country and published his book containing his political ideologies.
Frederick Douglass
As one of the major figures of the Civil War, he became the abolitionist movement leader in New York and Massachusetts. Due to his sharp antislavery writings and oratory skills, he becomes well known. With the outbreak of the Civil War, Douglass became more outspoken in his advocacy for the rights of freed slaves and was a supporter of women's suffrage. He become the very first African American to be nominated for the position of Vice President without his consent.
Harriet Tubman
Even though she was a woman, Tubman became a leader and a spy. She was best known for her unmatched courage, wherein she led hundreds of slaves to freedom using the prescribed routes and a network of safe houses. However, as the war started, she sided with the Union Army and used her skills to spy on the enemy. One of her notable actions was when she went to a Union camp in the South to help the former slaves who had taken shelter as a nurse and cook.Despite not being able to read, she gathered intelligence, organized scout maps, and located the Confederate troops for the Union Army. It was also reported that one general was hesitant to let Tubman leave the South due to her accuracy in providing valuable information that the Army needed.Related reads:
- Five Civil War Facts That Will Blow Your Mind
- Brothers in Arms: A Glimpse Into the Lives of American Civil War Soldiers
- 15+ Civil War Sites Preserving Our Nation’s History
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