Gary W. Gallagher introduces his book by stating propositions made by other historians, along with their arguments and sources, as to why the Confederacy lost the Civil War. Most of these arguments pointed to lack of desire, or commitment for independence. These historians made their proposals by working backwards from the surrender of the South to the beginning of war. Gallagher’s argument is that a majority of citizens in the Confederacy had the will and determination to fight for independence to the bitter end. He applies doubt in arguments made by other historians by pointing out misconceptions about the lack of support based on a few primary sources, such as the diary by Marry Chesnut. Although these are the go to primary sources,
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The South began by trying to create a nation with very little infrastructure that would constitute a government. They wanted to create a government based on the Southern people’s beliefs attitudes and ideas while also inspiring nationalism. Jefferson Davis along with the Confederate congress created documents that legitimized the government, but General Robert E. Lee and his Northern Army of Virginia became that symbol of pride that Southerners could rally behind. Citizens and soldiers from every level of society wrote letters of passion and commitment to their cause all the while making references of “our country”, “my country”, and “our nation” as they corresponded back and forth (Gallagher 63). With Lee’s leadership and these letters, the people of this nation were willing to accept the new government’s power even if it proceeded to take away freedoms of habeas corpus and forced the rationing of goods. Gallagher argued that the unacceptable moral issues of slavery clouded historian’s views of Sothern nationality. It was inconceivable that a nation’s citizenry, of who most were not slave holders themselves, could be so dedicated and die for such an institution (Gallagher 70). The strength of Confederate nationalism is brought forward by the mother of William Mason Smith. This letter was written to push her son back into active duty. She …show more content…
Why did the Confederates not fight more of a defensive war? Why was Robert E. Lee so determined to fight a Confrontational war? Lastly, when losses became so great, why did the South not move to a guerrilla war? The first two answers were defined by Grady McWhiney and Perry D. Jamieson as Southern pride and culture (Gallagher 121). Southern citizen’s desires were for General Lee to take the war to the enemy. The Richmond Dispatch signified the South’s “public mind” as “restless, and anxious…” that wanted Lee to push forward (Gallagher 128). Lee became the George Washington of the South with his great victories in the Seven Days conflict and Chancellorsville. These battles, despite large Confederate losses, were signs of superiority to the populous and heightened hopes of foreign intervention over the North. As the Northern Navy’s blockade began to effect supplies, Lee himself answered the question of guerrilla warfare. This type war would have caused the lawlessness within in the Confederacy and the forfeiture of property “slaves” in order for it to survive, thus giving illegitimacy to a country once based on lofty goals (Gallagher
The South began by trying to create a nation with very little infrastructure that would constitute a government. They wanted to create a government based on the Southern people’s beliefs attitudes and ideas while also inspiring nationalism. Jefferson Davis along with the Confederate congress created documents that legitimized the government, but General Robert E. Lee and his Northern Army of Virginia became that symbol of pride that Southerners could rally behind. Citizens and soldiers from every level of society wrote letters of passion and commitment to their cause all the while making references of “our country”, “my country”, and “our nation” as they corresponded back and forth (Gallagher 63). With Lee’s leadership and these letters, the people of this nation were willing to accept the new government’s power even if it proceeded to take away freedoms of habeas corpus and forced the rationing of goods. Gallagher argued that the unacceptable moral issues of slavery clouded historian’s views of Sothern nationality. It was inconceivable that a nation’s citizenry, of who most were not slave holders themselves, could be so dedicated and die for such an institution (Gallagher 70). The strength of Confederate nationalism is brought forward by the mother of William Mason Smith. This letter was written to push her son back into active duty. She …show more content…
Why did the Confederates not fight more of a defensive war? Why was Robert E. Lee so determined to fight a Confrontational war? Lastly, when losses became so great, why did the South not move to a guerrilla war? The first two answers were defined by Grady McWhiney and Perry D. Jamieson as Southern pride and culture (Gallagher 121). Southern citizen’s desires were for General Lee to take the war to the enemy. The Richmond Dispatch signified the South’s “public mind” as “restless, and anxious…” that wanted Lee to push forward (Gallagher 128). Lee became the George Washington of the South with his great victories in the Seven Days conflict and Chancellorsville. These battles, despite large Confederate losses, were signs of superiority to the populous and heightened hopes of foreign intervention over the North. As the Northern Navy’s blockade began to effect supplies, Lee himself answered the question of guerrilla warfare. This type war would have caused the lawlessness within in the Confederacy and the forfeiture of property “slaves” in order for it to survive, thus giving illegitimacy to a country once based on lofty goals (Gallagher