This essay will explore the coming of the Civil War by examining two speeches given just prior to the start of the Civil War: John Smith Preston's speech to the Virginia state legislature, and Abraham Lincoln's First Inaugural Address. Both represent two
Subject
Writing
Course
US HISTORY 1865 present
School
University of West Georgia
Question Description
DISCUSSION READINGS
John Smith Preston on Secession
Abraham Lincoln's First Inaugural Address, 1861
INSTRUCTIONS
You will read the above two speeches (John Smith Preston, Abraham Lincoln), and answer all of the following questions in your essay:
a) JOHN PRESTON SMITH: Is it legal for southern states to secede from the Union? What has the North done to cause southern states to leave the Union?
and
b) ABRAHAM LINCOLN: Can states break away (secede) from the Union? Why or Why not? What are Lincoln's views toward the South? What are his duties as President of the United Sates?
Your essay should be a minimum of 2 pages, and you should spend AT LEAST one page discussing EACH position (one page discussing the Preston perspective and one page discussing the Lincoln perspective). Remember, two pages is the minimum, and minimum essays normally score a C. If you want a higher grade, plan to be comprehensive in your coverage of the readings (there is no maximum page limit). Your answer should reflect the main points from both readings, and use examples from the documents to illustrate your main points.