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Civil War Literature
“The crossroads of our being”
Shelby Foote
Historical Background
1861-1865
 By April 1861, 13
states had “seceded”
from the Union.
 Key factors:

– States rights
– Slavery
A Credible Voice

Frederick Douglass
– Escaped from slavery
in Maryland
– Responsible for antislavery speeches and
writings
– Helped to found 54th
Massachusetts
Regiment during the
war
A Narrative of the Life of Frederick
Douglass
Gave 1st hand account
of the evils of slavery
 Written so well that
some refused to
believe that a black
man could write it
 Education of slaves
was illegal in much of
the South

Another influential perspective

Uncle Tom’s Cabin
– By Harriet Beecher
Stowe (A white
northerner)
– Also dramatized evils
of slavery
– Hugely popular
(banned in much of
the South)
– Advanced stereotypes
Life imitates literature
Many credit Stowe’s
book as being a
catalyst for the war.
 Douglass was a
relentless fighter for
the abolition of
slavery and beyond.

Mr. Lincoln is elected President
The South was so thrilled that South Carolina
immediately seceded from the Union
 By April, 13 states had formed the Confederate
States of America

Letters tell much of the story…

Sullivan Ballou
– One of many soldiers
who wrote home
before the Battle of
Bull Run
– July 21, 1861
– Many citizens from
Washington came out
to watch the battle
– Huge Southern victory
Others wrote after the war was
over

Ambrose Bierce
– “An Occurrence at Owl
Creek Bridge”
– Civil War veteran
– Shows attitude
towards war in general
– Thriller
– Died mysteriously
“…the last full measure of
devotion…”
Battle of Gettysburg
(July 1, 2, and 3,
1863)
 50,000 casualties
 Considered a Union
victory
 Robert E. Lee and
George Meade were
the commanding
generals.

“The world will little note…”

On November 19, 1863,
President Lincoln arrived
at Gettysburg
– Dedicated National
Cemetery
– Speech was around 2
minutes
– Reviews were disappointing
– Can’t even take a decent
picture in that time
The speech defines Lincoln’s legacy
Here endeth the lesson
By Andrew C. Jackson
 Credits to C-Span and
the National Park
Service
