Congress at war : how Republican reformers fought the Civil War, defied Lincoln, ended slavery, and remade America / Fergus M. Bordewich.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Bordewich, Fergus M., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Republican Party (U.S. : 1854- )--History--19th century.

Republican Party (U.S. : 1854- ).

United States. Congress--History--19th century.

United States.

United States. Congress.

History.

Social change.

United States--Politics and government--1861-1865.

Politics and government.

United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865.

Social change--United States--History--19th century.

Genre:

History.

Physical Description:

xx, 450 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations, maps ; 24 cm

Edition:

First edition.

Other Title:

How Republican reformers fought the Civil War, defied Lincoln, ended slavery, and remade America

Place of Publication:

New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 2020.

Summary:

"The story of how Congress helped win the Civil War -- a new perspective that puts the House and Senate, rather than Lincoln, at the center of the conflict. This [...] new perspective on the Civil War overturns the popular conception that Abraham Lincoln single-handedly led the Union to victory and gives us a vivid account of the essential role Congress played in winning the war. Building a riveting narrative around four influential members of Congress--Thaddeus Stevens, Pitt Fessenden, Ben Wade, and the pro-slavery Clement Vallandigham--Fergus Bordewich shows us how a newly empowered Republican party shaped one of the most dynamic and consequential periods in American history. From reinventing the nation's financial system to pushing President Lincoln to emancipate the slaves to the planning for Reconstruction, Congress undertook drastic measures to defeat the Confederacy, in the process laying the foundation for a strong central government that came fully into being in the twentieth century. Brimming with drama and outsized characters, Congress at War is also one of the most original books about the Civil War to appear in years and will change the way we understand the conflict." -- Provided by the publisher.

Contents:

1 A Rope of Sand p. 3

2 Let the War Come p. 20

3 A Wretched Humbug p. 37

4 Forward to Richmond! p. 53

5 The Clink of Coin p. 74

6 The Moloch of Slavery p. 96

7 The Strong Arm of Government p. 110

8 Beneficent Reform, Hothouse Capitalism p. 128

9 Tax Is Patriotic p. 144

10 The Slaves Must Be with Us p. 162

11 Folly, Stupidity and Wickedness p. 178

12 Men, and More Men p. 195

13 Resistance, Conspiracy, and Martyrdom p. 214

14 Dire Warnings p. 234

5 An Event Without Parallel p. 249

16 No Quarter! p. 265

17 Majorities Must Rule p. 281

18 Bleeding, Bankrupt, and Dying Country p. 298

19 The People Decide p. 313

20 Hurrah for Freedom! p. 328.

Notes:

"A Borzoi Book."

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Other Format:

Online version: Bordewich, Fergus M., author. Congress at War.

ISBN:

9780451494443

045149444X

OCLC:

1104215727