James M. McPherson Crossroads of Freedom: Antietam
Freedom by definition states that one is allowed to speak, think, or act without restraint or fear of severe consequence. During the time surrounding the Civil War, freedom was synonymous with liberty in the sense that that was what the Union was striving for. McPherson argues that The Battle of Antietam was the most crucial turning point in relation to the Civil War. He states that without this battle, there was the chance that freedom in America would not be achieved. His main point in “Crossroads of Freedom” are the events leading up to Antietam, the bloodiness of the battle, and its aftermath.
McPherson uses a comparison of other battles that shaped the Civil War alongside Antietam to further understand how the events within the first year of the war changed America as nation. In this first chapter, McPherson marks the early months of he conflicts leading up Antietam and its effect. The two failures that impacted the two sides of the country are as follows: the incorrect measures taken by the Union in relation to the “Trent Affair”, and the failed “King Cotton” blockade by Confederate forces.
The “Trent Affair” provoked a financial panic within the Northern states. After the …show more content…
The Civil War would rage on. Fighting continued for another two years with an inevitable victory by the Union, the Confederacy would never achieve its goal of independence. Freedom –liberty- would be slowly gained for the slaves at that time. Lincoln would declare that unless the current Confederate states return to the Union by January 1863, all slaves “shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free” (Page 139). This would spark outrage within the Confederacy with eventual submission after the Civil War. The Union victory at Antietam lost the Confederacy is foreign supporters and the chance of recognition by them. This would later affect the election that followed in the
Freedom by definition states that one is allowed to speak, think, or act without restraint or fear of severe consequence. During the time surrounding the Civil War, freedom was synonymous with liberty in the sense that that was what the Union was striving for. McPherson argues that The Battle of Antietam was the most crucial turning point in relation to the Civil War. He states that without this battle, there was the chance that freedom in America would not be achieved. His main point in “Crossroads of Freedom” are the events leading up to Antietam, the bloodiness of the battle, and its aftermath.
McPherson uses a comparison of other battles that shaped the Civil War alongside Antietam to further understand how the events within the first year of the war changed America as nation. In this first chapter, McPherson marks the early months of he conflicts leading up Antietam and its effect. The two failures that impacted the two sides of the country are as follows: the incorrect measures taken by the Union in relation to the “Trent Affair”, and the failed “King Cotton” blockade by Confederate forces.
The “Trent Affair” provoked a financial panic within the Northern states. After the …show more content…
The Civil War would rage on. Fighting continued for another two years with an inevitable victory by the Union, the Confederacy would never achieve its goal of independence. Freedom –liberty- would be slowly gained for the slaves at that time. Lincoln would declare that unless the current Confederate states return to the Union by January 1863, all slaves “shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free” (Page 139). This would spark outrage within the Confederacy with eventual submission after the Civil War. The Union victory at Antietam lost the Confederacy is foreign supporters and the chance of recognition by them. This would later affect the election that followed in the