9781422285947

The Civil War

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Words to UNDERSTAND IN THIS CHAPTER An abolitionist believes in the complete eradication of slav- ery. Many Northerners were lukewarm abolitionists, meaning they preferred to let Southerners see the error of their ways in time, rather than forcing the issue. A rostrum is very similar to a podium, meaning that it serves as the place where the speaker stands. The word itself comes to us from ancient Rome. The Union has meant many things through the years, but it essentially refers to the union, or compact between, the original 13 states, which, over time, grew to include all 50.

The Union garrison did not respond at once. They waited until morning provided better light, and then they answered with guns of their own. A ferocious bombardment followed. After 24 hours of cannon fire, Union Major Robert Anderson agreed to surrender Fort Sumter. The flag of the United States was pulled down, and troops from the small federal gar- rison were evacuated, by steamship, to New York City. Casualties had been very low, but no one was deceived about the meaning of the assault. Once a foe—even one who spoke the same language—fired on the flag of the United States, the American people would respond. And the first powerful demonstration of this fact took place eight days after that cannon shot at Fort Sumter. On April 20, 1861, nearly 200,000 people thronged the streets of Manhattan. One speaker after another went to the rostrum to proclaim his belief in, and love for, the United States. Constitution and Compromise The U.S. Constitution is a document, adopted by the states in 1787, that sets out the framework for government in the United States. When the Constitution was written in Philadelphia during the summer of 1787, its