The Causes of the Civil War essays

The Causes of the Civil War essays The American Civil War was the bloodiest conflict ever fought in United States history. It killed more Americans than any other war added together not including Vietnam. Because the war was continental, every family was and possibly still continues to be divided over the causes and its lasting effects. The causes of the Civil War are extremely complex and debatable. They range from personal to political and moral to economic. However, the most debated issue of the entire conflict was the role and involvement of slavery. Dr. James Oliver Horton, a professor of American Studies and History at George Washington University, felt that slavery, ...was not the only cause, or the only important cause, but it was the central cause. If you take slavery out of the equation, you dont have a Civil War with the sides involved as they were (Brechbill). While the tariffs, taxation policies, and states rights were factors, the Confederate Soldiers fought for honor and for the Southern way of life (Brechbill). Some still argue that slavery was not an issue because it was avoided for the entire first year of the war. However, others felt it was a major issue because it was the nail in the coffin for those who wanted to keep the Union preserved. During the 1800s, the United States was passionate about expanding their country from the coast of the Atlantic to the coast of the Pacific. To justify this need, they coined the phrase Manifest Destiny. This was a way of implying that fate and God would sanction the growth of their country. This was a way to justify taking the land of others under their control, such as the annexation of Texas. This lead to many conflicts, including the Mexican War (Websters Vol. 6 1609). The Mexican War added new territory into the equation with the question always being whether or not the land would become free or slave states. By the Missouri Compromise in ...

Free Essays on Humanities

When I first signed up for Humanities I was under the impression it was mostly like ENC1101. However, when I realized what the course is about than it seemed to be more like a history class mixed with the arts and literature. It really is an insight to ancient cultures and societies, and how they viewed their world at the time. Then the next question that arose was what part of history would we be learning about? It turned out to be the history of when civilizations were first started in the West. I found that to be pretty interesting so I went through the syllabus to find out exactly what topics would hook my attention. The first group that I noticed was the Egyptians. They have always intrigued people with their great architecture of pyramids and tombs. Their technology and intellect must have been far above the other peoples of the time. They created tools that would lead to advances in the new lands. The power that Egypt had at that point in history was amazing. It would be great to know how they fell as a power. The next topic I wanted to learn about Page 2 more was the Hebrews. I am Christian and Jews have always argued Christ being a mortal. So, I want to know exactly why they feel that way. It would give me a better understanding of another huge religion and enlighten me spiritually. The next chapters look like they are going to discuss the great Greek civilization. In my home town there is a group of Greeks that had very strong Greek culture. I always was curious why they were so into it even in the 21st century. I also know that they had many battles for control of European areas. Another thing that I was always a fan of was Greek Mythology. In high school we studies a little of it and it were able to make me want to learn more about it. So, that is another reason why I would like to look further into that section. I found my favorite group of history next. Since I am Italian I have a lo... Free Essays on Humanities Free Essays on Humanities When I first signed up for Humanities I was under the impression it was mostly like ENC1101. However, when I realized what the course is about than it seemed to be more like a history class mixed with the arts and literature. It really is an insight to ancient cultures and societies, and how they viewed their world at the time. Then the next question that arose was what part of history would we be learning about? It turned out to be the history of when civilizations were first started in the West. I found that to be pretty interesting so I went through the syllabus to find out exactly what topics would hook my attention. The first group that I noticed was the Egyptians. They have always intrigued people with their great architecture of pyramids and tombs. Their technology and intellect must have been far above the other peoples of the time. They created tools that would lead to advances in the new lands. The power that Egypt had at that point in history was amazing. It would be great to know how they fell as a power. The next topic I wanted to learn about Page 2 more was the Hebrews. I am Christian and Jews have always argued Christ being a mortal. So, I want to know exactly why they feel that way. It would give me a better understanding of another huge religion and enlighten me spiritually. The next chapters look like they are going to discuss the great Greek civilization. In my home town there is a group of Greeks that had very strong Greek culture. I always was curious why they were so into it even in the 21st century. I also know that they had many battles for control of European areas. Another thing that I was always a fan of was Greek Mythology. In high school we studies a little of it and it were able to make me want to learn more about it. So, that is another reason why I would like to look further into that section. I found my favorite group of history next. Since I am Italian I have a lo...

How the battle of Brandywine was a successful win for the British, but Research Paper

How the battle of Brandywine was a successful win for the British, but a tactical win for the US - Research Paper Example The Brandywine battle was a truly decisive war between the "Great Britain and its thirteen North American colonies". This battle saw the Great Britain emerging the successful winner while the United States had a tactical win.1 During the battle, the US forces were under the command of George Washington while the British forces were under the command of William Howe. At the time Washington was getting into this battle, he had just suffered a serious defeat in New York, which meant that a win in the Brandywine battle was highly essential in order to revive American strength and morale. On the other hand, Howe was highly inspired 1by the Philadelphia Campaign, which was mainly a British objective to capture Philadelphia during the American Revolutionary War. Howe and Washington were both significant and prestigious men in determining the outcomes of the American Revolution.1 The Battle of Brandywine The battle began in an early morning after the British, 2and the Hessian soldiers depart ed from Kennett Square. Their departure followed a walk along the Brandywine Creek with an aim to enclose the American soldiers across Jeffries’ ford. This emanated from the need to capture Philadelphia. ... The other squad of Howe’s men, which was made of the majority, was to march north of Wistar’s Ford, then cross the river at a location unknown to Washington. Having superior tactics and good knowledge of the battle ground enabled the British troops to defeat Washington and his troops on their own battle ground.2 In 1777, the British launched an attempt to wipe out the flickering revolt in its North American colonies. Its main objective was to split the colonies with converging expeditions focused upon the Hudson valley. During this period, General Howe refused to take part in the Saratoga battle and instead, moved into Pennsylvania where he defeated Washington in the battle of Brandywine. In Brandywine, Howe took over Philadelphia and defeated Washington’s attack on Germantown. American’s win in the battle of Saratoga came along with diplomatic assistance from France and other European nations. At some point, the battle at the Middle Atlantic region had co me into a standstill, but later foreign aid came to save the situation. The Battle of Saratoga motivated France to get into an alliance with the United States whereby Franklin and the French foreign minister of that time signed a treaty. Later, Spain got into war against Great Britain in 1779. However, the assistance given by the Spanish to the Americans was not of much help to the United States. On the other hand, the French offered immense assistance in terms of soldiers, sailors, supplies, and money, which were highly crucial for America’s success in the Saratoga battle. The 3Americans continued to fight valiantly, but, unfortunately, the British troops had outwitted them on the rolling hills in the Brandywine. The win did not stop the British troops from arriving at the battle ground, but