I've done some research into who were the Southern Unionists and what did they stand for? Using a couple of sources here is what I have found:
Who were they: • Famous unionists: o James Speed - Attorney General (for Lincoln), previously serving in the Kentucky Legislature o Elizabeth Van Lew – Spy for the union during the civil war, lived in Richmond, Virginia o Isaac Murphy – the only to vote against secession in the Arkansas Convention o William Woods Holden – voted for secession in North Carolina, but criticized the confederacy and was the leader of the North Carolina Peace Movement • Described by Margaret M. Storey in her article ‘Civil War Unionists and the political culture of loyalty in Alabama, 1860-1861’, as those who ‘cherished a real love for the old union’ (Information from her article comes mostly from claims to the SCC or the Southern Claims Commission, those who were able to apply for reimbursement for property loss, and had to prove their loyalty to the union in the Civil War) • Unionists were comprised of many different demographic backgrounds, though largely consisting of poor farmers and non-slave owners there was evidence of unionists who were of more moderate and considerably wealthy unionists some owning slaves themselves – although those who did were closer economically to non-slave owners rather than planters • Sentiments expressed by Unionists were not uncommon to those expressed by moderate southerners prior to Lincoln’s election, but their loyalty to the Union after despite secession made their Unionism unconditional, unlike those who went with the state who were reluctant secessionists. • White Unionists decisively outnumbered Confederate supporters in Missouri, Maryland, Delaware, northwestern Virginia and East Tennessee.
What did they stand for: • Unionist beliefs: o Was linked to the idea of southern honor and culture – maintaining families, neighborhoods’ and the union, their nation o Unionists interpreted secession as irresponsible to one’s obligations to their nation o Unconditional Unionists refused to accept the legitimacy of separation under any circumstances o The confederacy could not replace or improve upon the union o Among slave owning unionists there was a fear of losing their slaves in conflict that might result from secession o John Morgan Brown, who owned thirty-six slaves and ran a sawmill and plantation just outside Mobile, likewise insisted that the better course of action for slaveholders was to "fight for their rights in the union," rather than secede and fight a war that would likely destroy the thing they claimed to want to protect. "I do not mean fighting with arms," Brown clarified. "I mean to fight for them in Congress." – (Civil War Unionists and the political culture of loyalty in Alabama, 1860-1861 o This was similar views of slave holding unionists who swore to the SCC that they would have preferred the sacrifice to destroying the union o The initial identification with the Union was a conservative one rooted in desire for stability and security • Unconditional Unionists separated themselves with the moderate and reluctant secessionists, in their belief in the old government, and identification of political loyalty with southern honor and the willingness of a man to stand by his principles • To betray one's duty to the United States by endorsing the Confederacy would be to betray one's citizenship and, worse, to give in to cowardice and opportunism. In the end, it would be dishonorable and, for male Unionists, unmanly. – Margaret Storey, Civil War Unionists and the political culture of loyalty in Alabama, 1860-1861
As co-conveners, Guy and I worked together and discussed points of interest that the researchers could look into. We then sent out an email to everyone so they had a chance to prepare and start on their task before the tutorial. In this week's tutorial, we spoke to each group about what they planned to do, and then passed this information onto other relevant groups to ensure everyone was in the loop.
Hope everyone is doing well with their task, and if anyone needs help just email me or Guy!
The negotiators this week decided on who would be our roving negotiators, to present our offers to other groups, and our home negotiators, to receive propositions. By investigating the other groups we decided that our main difficulty should be in dealing with the radicals: secessionists, free slaves and abolitionists. Those groups will be the most hostile to our suggested compromises, whereas the moderates, and quite possibly Abraham Lincoln’s office, will be more receptive. If we can reconcile the extreme groups with the moderates, we may have a chance. Obviously it would be very handy for us to have advance knowledge of the manifesto, which will provide our guide for negotiations. Background knowledge from researchers (such as Kelly’s excellent information) is also important. Our main task though, will be to communicate with other groups efficiently. Good luck guys!
Pretty much see above - Ash and I have been working together, coordinating, sending emails etc. had some great material come in via email this arvo which I'll forward to relevant people. Been really impressed with the work rate going on so keep it up!
Hey all,
ReplyDeleteI've done some research into who were the Southern Unionists and what did they stand for? Using a couple of sources here is what I have found:
Who were they:
• Famous unionists:
o James Speed - Attorney General (for Lincoln), previously serving in the Kentucky Legislature
o Elizabeth Van Lew – Spy for the union during the civil war, lived in Richmond, Virginia
o Isaac Murphy – the only to vote against secession in the Arkansas Convention
o William Woods Holden – voted for secession in North Carolina, but criticized the confederacy and was the leader of the North Carolina Peace Movement
• Described by Margaret M. Storey in her article ‘Civil War Unionists and the political culture of loyalty in Alabama, 1860-1861’, as those who ‘cherished a real love for the old union’ (Information from her article comes mostly from claims to the SCC or the Southern Claims Commission, those who were able to apply for reimbursement for property loss, and had to prove their loyalty to the union in the Civil War)
• Unionists were comprised of many different demographic backgrounds, though largely consisting of poor farmers and non-slave owners there was evidence of unionists who were of more moderate and considerably wealthy unionists some owning slaves themselves – although those who did were closer economically to non-slave owners rather than planters
• Sentiments expressed by Unionists were not uncommon to those expressed by moderate southerners prior to Lincoln’s election, but their loyalty to the Union after despite secession made their Unionism unconditional, unlike those who went with the state who were reluctant secessionists.
• White Unionists decisively outnumbered Confederate supporters in Missouri, Maryland, Delaware, northwestern Virginia and East Tennessee.
What did they stand for:
• Unionist beliefs:
o Was linked to the idea of southern honor and culture – maintaining families, neighborhoods’ and the union, their nation
o Unionists interpreted secession as irresponsible to one’s obligations to their nation
o Unconditional Unionists refused to accept the legitimacy of separation under any circumstances
o The confederacy could not replace or improve upon the union
o Among slave owning unionists there was a fear of losing their slaves in conflict that might result from secession
o John Morgan Brown, who owned thirty-six slaves and ran a sawmill and plantation just outside Mobile, likewise insisted that the better course of action for slaveholders was to "fight for their rights in the union," rather than secede and fight a war that would likely destroy the thing they claimed to want to protect. "I do not mean fighting with arms," Brown clarified. "I mean to fight for them in Congress." – (Civil War Unionists and the political culture of loyalty in Alabama, 1860-1861
o This was similar views of slave holding unionists who swore to the SCC that they would have preferred the sacrifice to destroying the union
o The initial identification with the Union was a conservative one rooted in desire for stability and security
• Unconditional Unionists separated themselves with the moderate and reluctant secessionists, in their belief in the old government, and identification of political loyalty with southern honor and the willingness of a man to stand by his principles
• To betray one's duty to the United States by endorsing the Confederacy would be to betray one's citizenship and, worse, to give in to cowardice and opportunism. In the end, it would be dishonorable and, for male Unionists, unmanly. – Margaret Storey, Civil War Unionists and the political culture of loyalty in Alabama, 1860-1861
As co-conveners, Guy and I worked together and discussed points of interest that the researchers could look into. We then sent out an email to everyone so they had a chance to prepare and start on their task before the tutorial. In this week's tutorial, we spoke to each group about what they planned to do, and then passed this information onto other relevant groups to ensure everyone was in the loop.
ReplyDeleteHope everyone is doing well with their task, and if anyone needs help just email me or Guy!
The negotiators this week decided on who would be our roving negotiators, to present our offers to other groups, and our home negotiators, to receive propositions. By investigating the other groups we decided that our main difficulty should be in dealing with the radicals: secessionists, free slaves and abolitionists. Those groups will be the most hostile to our suggested compromises, whereas the moderates, and quite possibly Abraham Lincoln’s office, will be more receptive. If we can reconcile the extreme groups with the moderates, we may have a chance. Obviously it would be very handy for us to have advance knowledge of the manifesto, which will provide our guide for negotiations. Background knowledge from researchers (such as Kelly’s excellent information) is also important. Our main task though, will be to communicate with other groups efficiently.
ReplyDeleteGood luck guys!
Pretty much see above - Ash and I have been working together, coordinating, sending emails etc. had some great material come in via email this arvo which I'll forward to relevant people. Been really impressed with the work rate going on so keep it up!
ReplyDelete