Question

Read the selection from Confederate Vice President Alexander H. Stephens’ “Cornerstone Speech” of March 21, 1861, and then study the Thomas Nast editorial cartoon, “The President’s Inaugural,” of March 23, 1861.

Based on these two documents, and what you have learned in your HIST 1301 class (particularly from chapters 14 and 15, and video lessons 19-21), consider these questions:

According to Stephens, what is the “cornerstone” of the confederacy?

Paraphrase Stephens’ main argument. What are Stephens’ fundamental assumptions about blacks and whites?

Demonstrate how Stephens supports his argument. To what “authority” does he appeal?

How does Stephens summarize the arguments of those who have a differing view?

What does Nast’s cartoon say about how Lincoln is viewed in the South?

What populations within the newly-formed Confederate States of America would be most hostile toward Abraham Lincoln, and why?

To what extent did Stephens and Nast in particular, and most Southerners and Northerners in general in 1861, exhibit sensitivity and tolerance in dealing toward women and African Americans?

Having considered these questions, write an essay of at least 800 words that:

Makes an original argument that can be supported with the specific historical evidence of these two primary documents, as well as lecture notes and the textbook assigned to your class;

Analyzes the historical significance of these two primary documents;

Analyzes the nature of cultural/racial/gender relations during the 1860s;

Connects the choices and actions of Confederate leaders to their decisions to secede and make war against the United States government;

Is written in standard English, with all sources and quotes properly cited using MLA format;

Is written in your own words, not copied and pasted from other sources or web sites;

Is submitted through eCampus by clicking the CORE OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT link above.

Answer 1

1). According to Stephens, what is the “cornerstone” of the confederacy?

On March 21, 1861, after seven states had seceded from the United States, two weeks after the inauguration of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, but three weeks before the firing on Fort Sumter, Confederate Vice President Alexander H. Stephens delivered what would be called the Cornerstone Speech in Savannah, Georgia. He presented a rationale for secession and argued that slavery was the “immediate cause” of secession. He also took issue with Thomas Jefferson and other founding fathers who wrestled with the contradictions between universal equality and slavery, declaring their ambivalence misplaced and unwarranted. To Stephens servitude and subordination to the white race was the “characteristic and normal condition” of blacks in the South.