"The Extremest Necessity:" Lincoln's Policies on Civil Liberties and Citizen Responses, 1861-1865
No Thumbnail Available
Files
Date
2010-04-22
Authors
Journal Title
Series/Report No.
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Abraham Lincoln has been viewed alternately as a hero of the Union or a tyrant who abused his power. This debate stems in part from Lincoln’s actions regarding civil liberties. Lincoln authorized the suspension of habeas corpus and the military arrest of civilians in his efforts to preserve the Union and prosecute the Civil War. These actions specifically impacted the residents in the Border States of Maryland and Missouri. Not only are Lincoln’s actions a reflection of his personal constitutional philosophy, the subsequent reaction by citizens reveals the popular constitutionalism of the people impacted by the policies. An analysis of the citizen reactions to Lincoln’s civil liberty policies further explores the relationship of dissent and loyalty during wartime.
Description
Keywords
Civil War, civil liberties, dissent, Border States
Citation
Degree
MA
Discipline
History
