Continuing on from Chapter 2, chapter 3 discusses Lincolns real intentions with freeing the slaves and his reasoning for waging one of the bloodiest wars in American History. The Author writes “Why didn’t Lincoln do what much of the rest of the world did in the 19th century and end slavery through compensated emancipation. Between 1800 and 1860, dozens of countries, including the entire British Empire, ended slavery peacfully; only in the United States was a war involved. It is very likely that most Americans given the oppurtunity, would have gladly supported Compensated Emancipation as opposed to 620,000 deaths.” As can be seen, Lincoln was more for war thatn any other ruler at the time. Even places like Great Britain freed their slaves in a civilized manner, instead of splitting the country up and killing eachother.
Chapter 4 goes into detail about the Henry clay model. It discusses Lincolns real plans as American president to instate the “American System”. Lincoln’s entire life had been devoted to creating an America based off this system. Ever since the country was founded, the Henry Clay model had been in debate of the public and politicons. Even the great President Jefferson was against this model and was turned against his fellow statesmen.
Personal Opnion:
As for my personal opinion, Lincoln seemed to have only care for his politcal career. What was obviously written in the book is direct evidence that a war did not need to be waged in order to free the slaves. It seems that most Americans, if payed, would have freed their slaves like the rest of the world. Even If I liked Lincoln, that one fact in undeniable evidence that there were alterior motives to the Civil war. I belive the book is well written and look forward to reading the rest.
JBSchool 