The Civil War Essay -- essays research papers

The Civil contendDuring both the urbane war and civil war reconstruction time periods, there were many changes going on in the Union. The Emancipation Proclamation, as well as legislation much(prenominal) as the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth amendments, was causing a forward-looking wakening of democracy while the renouncing of secession by the South marked a definite triumph for Nationalism. As well, the government was involved in altercations of its own. During reconstruction, the legislative and executive branches eventu totallyy came to blows over the use of power. The nation was being neutered by forces which caused, and later repaired, a broken Union. The first of these "forces", was the expansion of democracy. As early as 1862, Lincoln was taking a major whole step in that direction. On September 22, Lincoln announced the abandoning of all slaves in areas not in Union control. Although the proclamation did not free all slaves everywhere, it was the acti on that would push relation back to pass the thirteenth amendment in 1865. The amendment, ratified later in 1865, stated that "Neither slavery nor nonvoluntary servitude . . . shall exist within the united States, or any place composition to their jurisdiction." It seemed democracy had triumphed by giving freedom to slaves, but the amendment was not complete. It solitary(prenominal) stopped slavery, and do no provisions for citizenship therefore, blacks were still not considered fall in States citizens. The fourteenth amendment was the democratic expansion that fixed that problem. Originally passed to "put a number of matters beyond the control or discretion of the president," the amendment also made "All persons born or naturalized in the United States . . . citizens of the United States." It also provided that, "No State shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States." This not only gave new meaning to black mens freedom, but it also gave a new and broader meaning to citizenship. Those drafting the amendment hoped that the broadness of would cover " unlooked-for abuses", yet, the general phrasing was only an advantage to abusers. There is no leaning of the "privileges or immunities" offered to U.S. citizens. In fact, there is not even a illuminance of what rights a "citizen" has. These generalities, and the abuses that went with them, prompted ... ...civil rights bill. The bill would have given blacks a considerable new amount of freedom from discriminatory southern actions. Johnson took his stand against the radical Republicans in congress when the fourteenth amendment was first passed. While Congress required ratification of the amendment as part of reconstruction, Johnson denounced the amendment and advised states not to ratify it. "the struggle mingled with the executive and legislative branches settled into a predictable oscillation Congress would pass a bill, the president would veto it, Congress would override it." This "rhythm" continued until Johnson violated the Tenure of office act, which required senate approval to charter presidential cabinet members. Johnson violated the act by removing Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. The House of Representatives approved articles of impeachment and in May 1868, Johnson was impeached by the House. The senate, by single vote, did not remove him from the office of president. Neither side had won that battle for power Johnson had lost his ability to be an effective president, yet it had been launch that impeachment could not be used as a congressional semipolitical weapon.