In recent months I noticed a growing tend among the citizens of the United States in regards to political views. I’ve been sitting on the side lines, watching, waiting to see what would happen. The day of our national election came on November 6, 2012. We voted. The results and aftermath of those results have only proven that we, as a nation, are more divided than ever in our core beliefs. This is not the first time we have suffered the fate of such a division in politics.
The politics of our Nation has often been tested through the trials by fire, blood, and determination. The American Civil War was the most costly war we have ever fought because every person killed was an American.
On February 4, 1861, there were 11 States that seceded from the Union. They were Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, and Florida. They also claimed western territory of what is now parts of New Mexico and Arizona. Additionally, they claimed the States of Oklahoma, Missouri, and Kentucky without official representation.
The American Civil War, also known as The War Between the States, was not fought over slavery, but over the economic status and values held by the constituents of those States. It lasted from February 4, 1861 until May 5, 1865, four years three months and one day.
In the years leading up to the Civil War, there were the Abolitionist Movements to end slavery, declaring that all men were created equal and free regardless of where they came from.
The Democratic Party, some of who supported the use of slavery because they understood the economic benefit from it, was in power.
On the other side of the table was the Whig party, some of who supported the use of slaves because they also understood the economic benefits from it, held the other half of the reigns in power.
In 1860, both major parties suffered a split. Those Democrats and Whigs who did not support slavery left their party behind to cross lines into new territory. In the end, the Democrat party remained while the Whig party collapse.
The end result of this was the formation of the Republican party, also known as the Grand Ole Party or GOP, as they are known today. They were collectively a group of men who believed it was right to end slavery. United, they defended their beliefs until the delegates from 11 States filed their succession from the Union. The South feared an economic collapse if slavery was abolished. The North demanded it because it was, and still is, a fundamental belief that all men (and women) were created equal being endowed with certain unalienable rights. Those rights for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness were meant for everyone.
Tempers flared on Capital Hill and through the country side as families divided over their beliefs. Brothers turned against brothers. Fathers against sons. Sons against fathers. Whole families were rent apart as the economy of the United States began to waiver and threats were dealt from both sides of what would happen if the other did not agree to their terms. It was absolution. Slavery was either going to exist within the Union or within a separate country from the Union. The Confederate States of America was founded over vastly differing methods and solutions to economics.
The ensuing war cost the lives of over 775,000 soldiers dead or wounded. Over 1 million were directly involved through arms or manufacture and millions were directly effected by the battles fought in, on, or near their homes. Fathers, sons, and brothers left to defend their Statehood never to return. Lands were overrun. Houses, farms, and plantations burned. The devastation was on both sides. We, as a nation, pierced in our very heart, grieved in the losses on both sides. Our women wept as our children became fatherless. We, as a nation, bled freely over ideals that were diametrically opposite. We, as a nation, cried out in anguish.
There was just over 31 million people in the US at the time. 2.5% of them were dead or wounded. This was the toll on our nation. We became once more the United States of America at a costly price. We began to heal those vicious wounds inflicted on each other.
Almost exactly 152 years later, we are once again seeing the politics of our country fail over issues that threaten to derail an already unstable economy.
Once again, we have serious disputes over the economic status and values held by the constituents of those States.
Once again, we have the Democrats vs. Republicans.
Once again, we have become divided among our families and our friends over the issues of politics, threatening to rend the family ties that bind us together.
Once again, we have diametrically opposite beliefs pitting people against one another.
Once again, our country is hearing the rumors of a civil war. If we suffered today a loss of 2.5%, that would be 8.125 million people, more than ten times what was lost 152 years ago.
Historically, it was the Democrats who seceded from the Union. Are we watching history happen again, only on the flip side where Republicans are wanting to secede from the Union because of the Democrats?
We’ve also seen a third political movement rise in recent years known as the Tea Party.
Since the November 6 election, 19 States have petitions and are gathering signatures to secede from the Union. Are we headed towards another civil war? All eleven of the original Confederate States are represented, to be included are the original unofficial States of Kentucky and Missouri.
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petitions
Alabama (CSA), Arkansas (CSA), Colorado, Florida (CSA), Georgia (CSA, 2 petitions), Indiana, Kentucky (claimed by CSA), Louisiana (CSA), Michigan, Mississippi (CSA), Missouri (claimed by CSA, 2 petitions), Montana, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina (CSA), North Dakota, Oregon, South Carolina (CSA, 2 petitions), Tennessee (CSA), Texas (CSA)
