Showing results for "1860's politics"
Looking Back…1860’s Politics
As we’re preparing this post, it’s the evening of Election Day, and by tomorrow morning when this post appears, results will be headlining in the newspapers, online, and in social media feeds. 155 years ago citizens of the United States voted in a presidential election during a war. Federal soldiers – including African Americans – […]
Read more...Year In Review: 1860’s Politics
To put modern electoral events in a unique perspective, Emerging Civil War hosted a special blog series “1860’s Politics” in October – November 2016. ECW authors and a couple guest writers joined the effort, and the series proved to be enjoyable, educational, and hopefully relieved some election stress. Twenty-five articles addressed political leaders, elections, propaganda, politics of war, […]
Read more...1860’s Politics: A Conclusion
It’s been a history-making month in modern America with the 2016 Presidential Election, and I think we managed to have some educational fun here on Emerging Civil War with our examination of 1860’s Politics. It’s time to close this political blog series for now. There might be a few “postscripts” or just interesting Civil War […]
Read more...1860’s Politics: Confederate Political Songs?
The North had many political songs for candidate praise and candidate bashing. What about the South? Did the Confederacy write music about their political leaders? The short answer: yes and no. Here’s the longer answer:
Read more...1860’s Politics: Songs For The Campaign Trail
During the past few weeks, we’ve noted some similarities between political campaigns in the 1860’s and the modern era. We’ve learned that mudslinging and “creative insults” aren’t new. We’ve reminded ourselves that Americans are opinionated. There’s one aspect of 1860’s politics that we don’t see much anymore: political theme songs and music. Given the entertainment factors […]
Read more...1860’s Politics: Why Do We think McClellan Was the “Peace Candidate”? Because the Rebels Thought So
A thoughtful respondent to my recent submission to the ECW blog, “1860’s Politics,” wondered why Gen. George McClellan, Democratic nominee for U. S. president in 1864, waited until after Sherman’s troops captured Atlanta, Sept. 2, 1864, before he announced his position on the war: no peace unless the Rebels agreed to return to the Union. […]
Read more...1860’s Politics: Lincoln-Douglas Debates Continue, Part III: Self-Government and Political Correctness
If we define political correctness as demanding conformance with favored positions, not tolerating contrary opinions, and branding opponents or perceived opponents as radicals (“they are just evil/crazy/stupid”), all without offering rational counter arguments, then these are not new phenomena. Abraham Lincoln faced the same problems in his debates with Stephen Douglas for the U.S. Senate […]
Read more...1860’s Politics: How Did Voter Apparel Show Support For Candidates?
Do you wear t-shirts to support a favorite candidate? How about a bumper sticker on your car or truck? Hopefully, you got an “I voted” sticker today! In the 1860’s, they didn’t wear t-shirts, and I have yet to find a bumper sticker for a wagon or carriage. (Send me a message if you can find […]
Read more...1860’s Politics: Statistics & The Soldiers’ Vote
It’s Election Day in the U.S.A. (Don’t forget to vote). As we watch the tally of popular and electoral votes this evening, remember that presidential elections and the electoral college have been in existence since 1787 (when the Constitution was signed). That means they were certainly in use during the 1864 Presidential Election during the Civil War. […]
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