Behind every army, there is suppose to be a great leader, but unfortunately for the Confederates their President, Jefferson Davis was less than pleasurable, whereas, for the Union, the actions of President Abraham Lincoln made the war more conquerable. At the beginning of Lincoln's Presidency, few military and political leaders found capable of the job, but eventually with his great ability to communicate with people as well as other leaders he proved that was a great asset to the Union (Davis, 2001). Both Davis and Lincoln lacked military knowledge and had to rely on other well-respected leaders, but their approaches were the total opposite. Davis was known for being short-tempered and very easy to be offended; he would lash out at anyone
Jefferson Davis was undoubtedly an important figure in the Confederacy. Davis was placed in charge of nation that had very few soldiers, little industrialization, and a lack of unity. Many historians blame the defeat of the South on Davis for being a “hot-tempered micromanager”. After the war, Davis was made into a scapegoat; a symbol of treason and racism. Who was Jefferson Davis as a person, solider, statesmen, and leader? A focus on Davis’ life, leadership skills, speeches, and actions before, during, and after the war may offer evidence to show who Jefferson Davis truly was. Also, it is crucial to take into account circumstances that affected Davis and his decision making before, during, and after the
During the American Civil War, leadership within the Union’s army was constantly an issue. Within the Union, various generals were found at times to be at odds with the political leaders in Washington. This was especially evident in the relationship between General George McClellan and President Lincoln. This tension was the result of McClellan’s approach to waging war. By examining the differing approaches to waging war of U.S. Grant and George B. McClellan one can gain a better appreciation for the decision making that was necessary by leaders like Lincoln, in selecting military
Leadership Essay There were many qualities for leaders in the American civil war for both the union and the confederacy, and they had both successes and failures during the course of the American civil war which had two amazing leaders being Ulysses S. Grant from the union and George McClellan from the confederacy who both showed successes and failures during the American civil war. Ulysses S. Grant had successes as a leader in the union during the course of the American civil war. One of the best and most important successes Ulysses S. Grant had in the American civil was having the union win the American civil war while he was one of the leaders in the union. “Vicksburg marked both Grant's greatest achievement thus far and a moral boost for
The bloodiest war in American history, led by Abraham Lincoln for the north, and Jefferson Davis for the south, both presidents, but two different sides. Both garner for peace, yet one is willing to start a war, while the other is willing to accept it. This essay will compare and contrast the political, economical, and social outlooks on Lincoln’s and Davis’ Inaugural addresses throughout the civil war between the North and South. Slavery, laws, and state rights drove the South to start a war, and Lincoln received the war with open arms. Both sides wanted peace, but their means of achieving it and their leaders’ choices and beliefs differed greatly while still holding similarities.
When leading a country in war is a completely fatal choice, you would think the president would pick the strongest, most intelligent person to lead our country into victory, right? Well that wasn’t the case for the Civil War in 1861-1865. You may have heard of all the bad generals from Braxton Bragg, to Benjamin Butler, and you’ve probably heard of George McClellan, a field commander, and not a good one to say the least.
When we compare the military leaders of both North and South during the Civil War, it is not hard to see what the differences are. One of the first things that stand out is the numerous number of Northern generals that led the “Army of the Potomac.” Whereas the Confederate generals, at least in the “Army of Northern Virginia” were much more stable in their position. Personalities, ambitions and emotions also played a big part in effective they were in the field, as well as their interactions with other officers.
Although James McPherson presents Lincoln as having numerous qualities that defined him as a brilliant leader, he wastes no time in revealing what he believes to be Lincoln’s greatest strength. In his Introduction, McPherson states regarding Lincoln’s political leadership: “In a civil war whose origins lay in a political conflict over the future of slavery and a political decision by certain states to secede, policy could never be separated from national strategy…. And neither policy nor national strategy could be separated from military strategy” (McPherson, p.6). Lincoln could not approach the war from a purely martial standpoint—instead, he needed to focus on the issues that caused it. For the catalyst of the war was also the tool for its solution; a war started by differing ideologies could only be resolved through the military application of ideology. This non-objective approach to the waging of the war almost resembles the inspired approach McPherson brings to his examination of Lincoln himself.
Abraham Lincoln came from a military background that helped him with his political background. He has started small but ended big. He was the president of the United States from 1861 through 1865. He has made many difficult decisions throughout his presidency and will go down in history as the really tall 16th president, but also as the one who put the Emancipation Proclamation into action.
Lyndon B Johnson & Abraham Lincoln were the two presidents most credited in the civil rights movement or African Americans gaining freedom period. Lyndon was credited one of the most important figures in the Civil Rights movement due to him signing the Civil Rights Act. Despite Lyndon coercing Civil Rights, he was a racist man, physically & verbally. Lyndon was so into the Civil RIghts movement that he even gained an alliance with MLK; one of the greatest Civil Rights leader of all times. Abraham Lincoln signed & created the Emancipation Proclamation, which was a big accomplishment for African Americans; although the Emancipation Proclamation did not fully free slaves ..
The American Civil War began on April 12, 1861 when the Southern United States seceded from the union. The first battle, taking only thirty-four hours, caused Lincoln to officially rally troops against the South. Most Northern Americans would eventually learn to love Lincoln’s courage; however, many Southern Americans would despise Lincoln. Throughout the civil war many lives were lost, and many families were torn apart. Lincoln would remain a strong figure throughout the war. He would give his people hope, he would give his people courage, and he would give his people strength. Around the time the Civil War was drawing to a close, Lincoln was being reelected. The general of the Confederacy, Robert E. Lee, surrendered after a battle in Virginia. His troops surrendered in April, a little over a
The reason for writing this book from McPherson’s point of view was because out of all the material out there about President Lincoln the vast majority of it is about other topics besides his role as Commander in Chief. McPherson believes that this is surely unthinkable due to the sheer amount of time and energy Lincoln had to put into being the commander of our army throughout the four long years the Civil War reigned. This book, in the eyes of James McPherson, is a long overdue explanation of Lincoln in his main role as Commander in Chief. He tells of numerous occasions when Lincoln must make important decisions that could make or break the union army. These
have impacted our nation and their legacy lives on still to this day. History would be different if
The southern states although far less populated and without initial means to manufacture war supplies did have the strengths to be very competitive. Strong, experienced Confederate leadership in their practiced military, and the overall will power to protect their way of life would prove to be their greatest assets. Jefferson Davis became the president of the Confederacy and was a model leader. He developed a distinguished political career with many years served in the senate, he was a West Point graduate, the former Secretary of War, and a veteran of the Mexican American War. He was the ideal candidate for a president in war times. He had the advantage of having General Robert E. Lee commanding his army after Joseph Johnston was injured in The Battle of Bull run. Robert E. Lee due to strong respect, character and performance in the Mexican American war was Lincoln’s first choice as the Union general but Lee’s patriotism to his home state
Credit for freeing the slaves needs to be considered for the Union Army leadership. Often time’s military leadership had little to no guidance from government leaders
In Grant and Lee there is a comparison and contrast between their personal lives, political views, and how they would hold oneself. Abraham Lincoln and George Washington are two complete different people from different time periods where one had slavery and the other aimed to abolish it. In a comparison and contrast of Abraham Lincoln and George Washington each one having their own personal lives, family, and historical actions, which made up some of their differences.