Essay about The Motives for Which They Fought - 1211 Words

The Motives for Which They Fought The reasons given for why Civil War soldiers fought are abundant, but among the vast array of motives, only a few could be taken into careful consideration. Some argue that the main interest for both the North and South was political in nature, reasoning that if the government fell, so would the future and characteristics of both nations. Consequently, some of the various diaries and personal accounts affirm that soldiers felt an overwhelming sense of duty, which extended first to their closest relatives and friends, this being the principal driving force motivating them to enlist. However, what surely remains is thousands on both sides gave up their lives for what they considered a necessary cause.†¦show more content†¦People in a close community could question, or look down on a man who would cower down and not protect his family from harm. Many of these soldiers could have thought the same, reasoning that; protecting their family meant to fight for their country. McPherson stresses the evidence that the soldiers in the North, assumed that â€Å"Republican Liberty† was worth dying for, even towards the last days of the war. Northerners view of liberty was to defend the republican freedoms that some in the Union acknowledged as a preceding lineage of generational heritage. Thus, the importance of family history was due to the closeness of the period between the American Revolution, and 1861. What many of their grandparents fought for generated a sense that they were indeed part of something great, which was sure to endure. The South’s investment in slavery inclined many Southerners to have a point of view distinctively different with those in the Union. The authors illustrate how both sides perceived a deep gratitude owed to the Founding Fathers and the legacy of the Revolution. However, the Founding Fathers concept of independence was somewhat differing from those in new Confederate nation. McPherson brings up the point of how these men of the American Revolution were not entirely satisfied with holding slaves, while fighting a war of independence. The author stated that, Confederates claimed â€Å"to fight for liberty and independence from a tyrannical government,† while,Show MoreRelatedEssay on The Motives for Which They Fought2439 Words   |  10 PagesThe causes of the Civil War are somewhat unique when compared to other struggles throughout history. Conflicting ideas of liberty and political ideologies, makes one question the motives of those who gave up their lives, family, a nd future for such a cause. Some historians agree that the main interest for both the North and South was political in nature, arguing that if the government fell, so would the future and characteristics of both nations. This linkage of God, family, and homeland droveRead MoreEssay about The Motives for Which They Fought2481 Words   |  10 PagesThe Motives for Which They Fought The reasons given for why Civil War soldiers fought are abundant, but among the vast array of motives, only a few could be taken into careful consideration. Some historians agree that the main interest for both the North and South was political in nature, arguing that if the government fell, so would the future and characteristics of both nations. Consequently, some of the various diaries and personal accounts affirm that soldiers felt an overwhelming sense ofRead MoreThe Many Reasons For The Civil War1203 Words   |  5 Pages2015 The Many Reason The Fought The Civil War began when the Southern Slave States seceded from the Northern Free States due to uncompromising polarity and formed the Confederate States of America. This four year war over the power of the national government to forbid slavery in the regions that hadn’t yet become states claimed more lives than any other war in American History. In his book, What They Fought For, 1861-1865, James McPherson examines the feelings and motives of both Union and ConfederateRead MoreTypes of Conflict1209 Words   |  5 PagesMinding the different reasons of wars as inferred by the several political philosophies, it is essential to classify the motives of war. According to Seyon (1987), this can be accomplished by â€Å"differentiating the types of conflicts.†(Seyon 254) Firstly, at the international structure level, conflicts are every so often fought for the reason of an emptiness of power. The reason of war on this level is generally due to the absence of a totalitarian leader or a principal country. This internationalRead MoreEssay on A Hidden Hero in William Carlos Williams’ The Use of Force597 Words   |  3 PagesA Hidden Hero The doctor in William Carlos Williams’ The Use of Force ultimately saves Mathilda’s life but under what motive? His motive to win the battle against her or the motive to actually try to cure her? The fact that Mathilda’s life is on the line brings out the heroic attributes of the doctor in the story. In the end, even though the doctor has malicious thoughts, the doctor is a hero because he ultimately saves Mathilda’s life and continues with helping Mathilda despite her every attemptRead MoreThe Colonization Of The New World1068 Words   |  5 PagesFrom 1689 to 1763, almost 200 years after Columbus’ discovery of the New World, several European nations fought to acquire their share of America’s wealth. The Spanish, leaders in the exploration of the New World, were the first to colonize the Americas. In 1494, two years after Columbus’ expeditions, the Treaty of Tordesillas was ratified by the Pope. This treaty split the New World betwee n Portugal and Spain. By the mid 1500s, Spain had gained control of much of western South America, Central AmericaRead MoreBeowulf, Grendel s Mother, And A Dragon878 Words   |  4 Pagesthe death of her son and attacks Herot and kills one of the advisors to Hrothgar, the Danish king. Beowulf is then motivated to kill Grendel’s mother to avenge the death of the killed advisor, a similar motive to Grendel’s mother, and for the glory of being the one who brings peace to Herot, which is the same reason why he was motivated to kill Grendel. To prepare to fight Grendel’s mother Beowulf leads a group of soldiers to the lake the monster lives in, keeps his armour, and accepts an ancientRead MoreDifferences Between Union And Confederate Motives Within The Civil War Essay1705 Words   |  7 Pages Differences between Union and Confederate Motives within the Civil War The Civil War was a time of major upheaval within America. Major issues such as slavery divided the states and threw the nation in all different directions. As Abraham Lincoln was elected into the presidency in 1860, South Carolina along with 10 other southern states began seceding from the union. Their reasoning for secession included those of protecting the institution of slavery and state’s rights. TheseRead MoreWas The Civil War Really About Slavery?1467 Words   |  6 Pages Jesus Cisneros Professor Frose History 11 27 October 2015 Was The Civil War Really about Slavery? Was the Civil War really about slavery? Often, there is conflict surrounding the Civil War and why it was fought. Overwhelmingly, most people believe the motive for The Civil War was slavery. However, Many Historians argue that other factors must have superseded the cause of the Civil War: factors including states rights, economic differences between Northern and Southern States, and social reputationRead MoreEssay on What They Fought for708 Words   |  3 PagesWhat They Fought For 1861 - 1865 This book was a good analysis of Civil War soldiers diaries, and letters to their loved ones. Which explains what they were going through in their lives and what they fought for and risked their lives for in this conflict. In the book the author James M. McPherson uses information from l00s of diaries and letters from the soldiers to learn why they fought in this war. The Union soldiers fought to preserve the Nation that was created in 1776, to save it