Divided Loyalties : Kentucky's Struggle for Armed Neutrality in the Civil War

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Finck, James.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Allegiance--Kentucky--History--19th century.

Kentucky--Defenses--History--19th century.

Kentucky--History--Civil War, 1861-1865.

Kentucky--Politics and government--1861-1865.

Neutrality, Armed--Kentucky--History--19th century.

Neutrality, Armed--History--19th century--Kentucky.

Neutrality, Armed.

Allegiance--History--19th century--Kentucky.

Allegiance.

Kentucky.

Local Subjects:

Allegiance--Kentucky--History--19th century.

Kentucky--Defenses--History--19th century.

Kentucky--History--Civil War, 1861-1865.

Kentucky--Politics and government--1861-1865.

Neutrality, Armed--Kentucky--History--19th century.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (382 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

El Dorado Hills : Savas Beatie, 2012.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

On May 16, 1861, the Kentucky state legislature passed an ordinance declaring its neutrality, which the state's governor, Beriah Magoffin, confirmed four days later. Kentucky's declaration and ultimate support for the Union stood at odds with the state's social and cultural heritage. After all, Kentucky was a slave state and enjoyed deep and meaningful connections to the new Confederacy. Much of what has been written to explain this curious choice concludes Kentucky harbored strong Unionist feelings. James Finck's freshly written and deeply researched Divided Loyalties: Kentucky's Struggle for Armed Neutrality in the Civil War shatters this conclusion.An in-depth study of the twelve months that decided Kentucky's fate (November 1860 - November 1861), Divided Loyalties persuasively argues that the Commonwealth did not support neutrality out of its deep Unionist's sentiment. In fact, it was Kentucky's equally divided loyalties that brought about its decision to remain neutral. Both Unionists and Secessionists would come to support neutrality at different times when they felt their side would lose.Along the way, Dr. Finck examines the roles of the state legislature, the governor, other leading Kentuckians, and average citizens to understand how Kentuckians felt about the prospects of war and secession, and how bloodshed could be avoided. The finely styled prose is built upon a foundation of primary sources including letters, journals, newspapers, government documents, and published reports. By focusing exclusively on one state, one issue, and one year, Divided Loyalties provides a level of detail that will deeply interest both Kentuckians and Civil War enthusiasts alike.Kentucky's final decision was the result of intrigue and betrayal within the Commonwealth while armies gathered around its borders waiting for any opportunity to invade. And it was

within this heated environment that Kentuckians made the most important decision in their history.

Contents:

Cover; Title; Copyright; Dedication; Contents; Foreword; Introduction and Acknowledgments; Chapter 1. Kentucky's Political System: 1840 to 1860; Chapter 2. The Presidential Election: October to November 1860; Chapter 3. Secession, Slavery, and Economic Prosperity: November 1860 to February 1861; Chapter 4. Choosing Sides: January to February 1861; Chapter 5. Compromise: January to April 1861; Chapter 6. Neutrality: March to May 1861; Chapter 7. Border Conventions and Lincoln Guns: April to May 1861; Chapter 8. The Struggle to Remain Neutral: May to June 1861

Chapter 9. The End of Neutrality: July to September 1861Chapter 10. After Neutrality: September to December 1861; Appendix. Proclamations, Speeches, Party Platforms, and Other Documents; Bibliography; Index; About the Author

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

ISBN:

9781611211030

1611211034

OCLC:

855504500