Posted on 11/23/2016 6:01:04 PM PST by Loud Mime
It is when you jigger the laws to favor it. Look up the navigation act of 1817, and you will understand why New York became the dominant economic player in the United States.
I`m currently enjoying the trilogy of civil war books written by LT. Col Ralph Peters
Supposedly style-wise Grant’s autobiography is the standard for an American’s autobiography.
Starting before the war, read the proto-socialist George Fitzhugh’s book, “Cannibals All!, or Slaves Without Masters” (1857), not just a passionate defense of slavery, but the idea that 9 out of 10 people would be *happier* as slaves (though he assumed his readers were of the 1 in 10 elites.)
And if you really want an education of the arguments leading up to the war, the Lincoln-Douglas debates (which have been very scrutinized, as the newspaper published accounts of the time were *creatively edited*) (filled with lies and partisan slant.)
The American Heritage “Picture History” of the civil war Editor in charge: Richard M. Ketchum Narrative : Bruce Catton Distribution by doubleday
The Killer Angels.
Company Aytch or a Side Show of the Big Show: A Memoir of the Civil War, Sam R. Watkins.
NAVIGATION ACT OF 1817
NAVIGATION ACT OF 1817. The Navigation Act of 1817 was one of many American steps toward national self-sufficiency that followed the War of 1812. An effort to regain the lucrative West Indian trade, which the British had closed after the war, this act stated that all cargo between American ports must only be carried in ships entirely owned by American citizens or belonging to West Indian merchants. Tonnage duties on vessels licensed for coastwise trade were set at six cents a ton on vessels manned by Americans and fifty cents for others.
Douglas’s memoir has been criticized for a couple of reasons. First, it was not completed until many years later, although it was roughed out much earlier. Also, his memory does not jibe with other records at some places. Whether he romanticizes or exaggerates his role in some instances is also a question.
Nonetheless, if you read it with the most critical eye, it is still a terrific read. Your technique applied here is also what I did. I read many “objective” histories also, but a book like this allows a special insight into the War. Douglas’s position allowed a unique perspective.
Oldplayer
Four Score and Seven years prior to the civil war, the thirteen slave states seceded from the United Kingdom and formed a confederacy. Their Armies were led by a slave owning general from Virginia.
They declared that independence is an inherent right of a people, given by "the laws of nature and of nature's God", and with that declaration they created a government which four score and seven years later would no longer recognize the principle upon which it's own existence was founded.
Good graphics.
Good summary. It’s hard to get the real sense of the time except from a contemporaneous account ... but people in the throes of the situation aren’t usually the most accurate about the facts. You best learning experience incorporates first-person accounts and up-to-date research.
You can’t go wrong with McPherson, Catton and Foote to grasp the overall picture. There are a lot of great books about specific battles. Bowers, Sears and Shaara (for historical fiction) are good.
Neil Winick’s “April 1865” is an interesting treatise about what might have happened had Lee decided to go guerrilla. Harry Turtledove’s book “The Guns of the South” is an interesting sic-fi adventure about the Civil War and RE Lee.
I am not a Ted Turner fan, but I greatly appreciate that he produced “Gettysburg” and “Gods and Generals.” Both are excellent movies.
And pray tell, who owned (almost) all the American Ships and crews? :)
Company H by Sam Watkins. Became the basis of Ken Burns Cvil War series.
A lot were out of New England.
And, pray tell, why weren’t more out of the Southern States?
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