AP US history help.. Zinn chapter 9?

Question

Analyze the statement : “The American government had set out to fight the slave states in 1861, not to end slavery, but to retain the enormous national territory and market and resources.”

So far I've got: America had more than doubled its size in territory in less than a hundred years and was on its way to becoming a new world power. It was nearly self-sufficient and being isolated helped out in keeping other world powers out of its boundaries. However, with secession, the country (or countries) were now weak and vulnerable on their own.  

This is from Zinn btw.

Musicman · Accepted Answer

Lincoln wasn't fighting a war against slavery, he was fighting a war to get his lost states back in the union. He only emancipated slaves to gain support of the British and French, who were interested in helping the South for cheaper cotton prices. Lincoln, in making it seem that the Civil War was a moral war against slavery, gained the support of the British and French commoners, who were anti-slavery. Because their people were against the Confederacy, the monarchies of France and Britain couldn't risk an uprising and couldn't support the South, making it easier for the north to win the war.

khloeee · Answer

emancipation was inacted for the slaves, but freedom wasn't ensured for them . they couldn't really do anything about it because slaves were everywhere . trying to end slavery was like trying to end war . it was really quite impossible back then because of extreme poverty . Plus the klu klux clan rose to an extent .

Trending News

AP US history help.. Zinn chapter 9?

2 Answers