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The Gap Between The North And South During The Civil War

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The Gap Between The North And South During The Civil War
Not everyone agreed with the war or it’s direction. Some Republicans disliked President Lincoln’s performance, there were Peace Democrats that believed he “betrayed the Constitution” and the working class were resentful of the draft. (Nash, et al., 2007., p. 448) Across the nation the feelings regarding abolition were mixed or out right derided. (Nash, et al., 2007., p. 448) Prior to the war, tensions heightened between the North and South as many northerners believed the South to be a slave power that was “determined to foist the slave system upon free labor throughout the land,” and southerners seeing the North as a land full of “black Republicanism” set to destroy their way of life. (Nash, et al., 2007., p. 425) However, while some spoiled for a fight others were not so sure and desired reunification and compromise. Horace Greeley suggested to let the states “go in peace,” which northern businesses opposed as they’d lose economic ties. (Nash, et al., 2007., p. 431) …show more content…
Slavery was the economic powerhouse of the South and many rich planters had a vested interest in seeing it continue, but often it was not the wealthy taking up arms rather that was put on the shoulders of those who could not afford to get out of service. Due to waning enthusiasm that initially drove enlistment at the beginning of the war both the North and South began to have manpower problems. With the amount of volunteers dwindling both sides eventually created drafts to bolster their armies. (Nash, et al., 2007., p.

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