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Second, he carries the story through to the Populist era, thus making itpossible to trace the fate of the freedmen to their ultimate abandonment by the SupremeCourtin Plessy v. Finally, he takes full account of ethnic factors, a subject often neglected in the past. In general, the author follows the main trends of modern scholarship.
Carefully examining the implications of the institution of slavery, he concedes that it was profitable for the planters but observes that it was hardly so for the slaves. While mentioning the findings of Robert W. Fogel and Stanley L. Engerman, he presents telling tables to show how substantially the South was lagging behind the North in various crucial indicators.
Ordeal by Fire: The Civil War and Reconstruction
He characterizes secession as a southern counterrevolution in response to a northern seizure ofpolitical power butmaintains itwas a vain effort because it "ensured the success of the very revolution it sought to avert" p. The facts would seem to bear him out. In Une with his general approach, McPherson sympathizes with the advanced Republicans' efforts to elevate the blacks.
While not going into detail about the radicals' motivation, he stresses their overwhelmingly New England roots, theirdedication, and theirsuccess in obtaining chairmanships of important congressional committees. In recounting their clashes with Abraham Lincoln, the author perceptively makes it clear thattheGreat Emancipator was no conservative.
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Even Lincoln's strategic endeavors receive their due—his unfailing support of U. Grant and his effort to trap Stonewall Jackson in the Valley of Virginia, frustrated though it was by the incompetent generals chosen to carry it out. Like other admirers of the president, the author is justly critical of George B.
McClellan, especially in connection with theMaryland campaign; nor does hespare George Gordon Meade for his failure to pursue Lee after Gettysburg. This emphasis on political and military details does not mean that social and economic factors are overlooked. The ample treatment of the nation's wartime economy, thetroubles oflabor, and theUmits of dissent are among the strong points of the book. Professor McPherson's views of Reconstruction, too, are in accord with the revisionism of the last thirty years.
Pointing out thelimits ofthe possible within the framework of nineteenth-century political and economic beliefs, he condemns Andrew Johnson's racial policies but recognizes that no other society "poured so much effort and money into the education of ex-slaves" p. The fortunate extension of the chronological Umits of the book makes possible a detailed discussion of the "retreat from Reconstruction" as well as a sketch of the main problems of the Gilded Age which contributed to it.
As is unavoidable in a volume of this length, there area few omissions and errors. Want to Read saving…. Want to Read Currently Reading Read. Refresh and try again. Open Preview See a Problem? Thanks for telling us about the problem.
Ordeal by Fire: The Civil War and Reconstruction by James M. McPherson
Return to Book Page. Preview — Ordeal by Fire by James M. This text describes the social, economic, political, and ideological conflicts that led to a unique, tragic, and transitional event in American history. Paperback , pages. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. To ask other readers questions about Ordeal by Fire , please sign up. Does anyone know what years this book covers? Thank you so much! See 1 question about Ordeal by Fire…. Lists with This Book. Dec 02, Mason Neil rated it liked it. This is a textbook I read for class, but if I read it cover to cover why should I not add it to my Goodreads list?
As far as textbooks go, Ordeal by Fire was very readable. The chapters are constructed with enough narrative that you're able to follow along well with the events McPherson is describing, and eventually you find yourself constructing your own workable knowledge of the Civil War and Reconstruction.
Aug 30, Mark Bowles rated it really liked it.
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This is a synthesis of the Civil War and Reconstruction. Three tenants underlie his argument. The forces of modernization spread South and West. The Republicans achieved what they hoped to in political and economic realms, and more th A. The Republicans achieved what they hoped to in political and economic realms, and more than most of them anticipated in their racial policy. The problems of peace 1. The aftermath of war: The South was an area of destruction and desolation after the war. The reports of the attitude of the Southern whites were contradictory--defiance toward Yankees and reports of submission.
The Northern whites could not agree on the terms they wanted to impose on the South. Johnson clashes with the Radicals in 2 critical ways. He issued 2 proclamation on 29 May Exceptions included high-ranking officials. He issued similar proclamations for 6 other Southern states. Most supported it but abolitionists and Radicals immediately criticized it.
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Other Republicans became discouraged with his stance on suffrage. The legislatures of Connecticut, Wisconsin, and Minnesota placed an the ballot an amendment to enfranchise the few blacks in the states. Democrats mounted an anti-suffrage campaign. The ballots were overturned by a narrow margin.
Thus, moderate Republicans were unwilling to force a showdown on this issue with the President. Ex-Confederates were beginning to hold office again. In September Johnson began to speak of forgiveness for the acts of treason. He gave out 13, pardons out of 15, that were requested. Land and labor in the post-war South: Some of the freed slaves stayed on the plantations to work for wages. Others left to find family, or just to get away.
This created a labor shortage. Many blacks were forced to sign one year work contracts. The slaves wanted their own land. But, this did not happen as the land was returned to the Confederates. Land reform did not become a part of Reconstruction. Emphasis was placed on the free-labor ideology than envisaged upward mobility through hard work, and Protestant ethic values. This was an unattainable goal. Once it was clear that not land would be given the slaves, the FB tried to patch new relationships between slaves and plantation owners. They tried to regulate wages to keep the Freedmen from being exploited.
Southern whites denounced the Bureau c Black Codes: The FB also suspended these oppressive codes the Southern states adopted in These codes related to vagrancy, labor, etc and created a virtual new slavery. McPherson writes clearly and concisely without glossing over any key facts or points. After all these years, I still have this book on my bookshelf. Jan 04, Heather rated it it was amazing Shelves: This book is incredible. Outstanding background on the history leading into the civil war, the war itself, and reconstruction.
It is done in a more traditional style, i. I would recommend it to anyone wanting detailed, yet approachable material on the time period. If you believe you know of a better American Civil War book, then please let me know. Jul 17, Poland rated it really liked it. Battle Cry of Freedom is the longer more detailed book, and this is more of a textbook version of it with some chapters devoted to Reconstruction. Oct 03, Carolyn rated it it was amazing.
As part of our Humanties series this fall at the Library, We read this one, and learned that it is considered the definitive text about the Civil War. Our book group met to discuss the Volume II part. Much good information, and it is written in an easy to understand form. Includes some some maps, diagrams, and photos. The author James McPherson has taught on the Civil War history since the As part of our Humanties series this fall at the Library, We read this one, and learned that it is considered the definitive text about the Civil War. Since he carries the name of a Civil War era general, I wondered if he is a descendant of that man.
For the amount of lives lost, I had to consider whether I could give those five stars, but I think the writing deserves them, if not the subject matter. Jun 23, Nate rated it liked it Shelves: It reads like a text book and weighs just as much too. A very matter of fact style which I like