Description:
As I did research for this book, it became apparent that extreme consequences are possible when a nation becomes deeply divided. This division occurred in the 1850's and 1860's, and is with the United States again as of 2023. In 1861, civil strife lead to a civil war. President Abraham Lincoln had to deal with a nation at war with itself. This book has unique features. There are links to songs of slaves and soldiers incorporated into the narrative; there is discussion of issues of the present time, which were unresloved by the Civil War; Lincoln's leadership was of profound importance; also discover that:
- Lincoln got the support of the mass of the white population by representing their interests and attitudes.
- One thousand women joined the Union army and fought in battles alongside the men.
- Two hundred thousand recently freed black slaves fought as Union soldiers and sailors.
- Native Americans (Indians) were involved in the war, including General Eli Parker, an Iroquois Seneca
- Anti-slavery foreign troops from Italy, Scotland and Germany fought with the Union army.
- Russia was the only major European power to support Lincoln's war against slavery. England and France aided the Confederacy.
I teach United States History in a special and unique way. Accompanying myself on guitar, I sing songs of the time period we are discussing. I've included many of these songs in this book.