Essays and Research Papers on U.S. History (1800s)

A 4 page review of the possible role Stone Mountain Georgia played in the Civil War. Reveals that little of substance is available on this role since no major battles occurred here. Ties in the historic importance of the area, the role of the railroad there, and the role of the community as ...

This 6 page paper discusses the subject of the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions and the their relationship to nullification. The time periods between the time the acts were passed through the Civil War are covered. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 25 page paper discussing some of General Lee's decisions and the relationships with his generals surrounding the Gettysburg campaign. Robert E. Lee was elevated to near-deity status both during and after the Civil War, but some of his more human qualities have come to light in recent years. General Longstreet was maligned ...

A 7 page research paper that examines Lee's tactics at Gettysburg. The paper looks at Lee's own military correspondence and also at the theories of historian Michael Palmer in his book Lee Moves North, which argues that Lee's style of command was instrumental in the loss. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 10 page paper that describes Grant's strategies in the Civil War. The writer presents the theory that Grant's denial of prisoner of war exchange did not result in the outcomes he expected. Rather than decreasing the Confederate forces by keeping their soldiers in Northern prisons and work camps, this strategy resulted in decreases ...

An 18 page examination of the similarities and contrasts between Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant. Discusses the role these similarities and differences may have played in the outcome of the war and concludes that, in reality, the outcome of the war was based in much more complexity than the personalities of two ...

In 10 pages, the author discusses the confederate general, James Longstreet giving an informative overview of the man and the war. Bibliography lists 7 sources.

A 6 page paper detailing the various aspects of Reconstruction. Particular emphasis is placed the successes and failures of the policies relating to the rights of the former slaves and how those rights were both protected and abused. Bibliography lists four sources.

A 10 page research paper that investigates P.G.T. Beauregard. A brief overview of his life is offered but the main focus is on his activities during the Civil War. Historically considered to be a poor commander, one expert said that he was becoming more competent when he was defeated at Shiloh, which resulted in very ...

This 7 page paper looks at the victory over Ft. Henry and Ft. Donelson which was General Ulysses S. Grant's first major victory that pushed him to the forefront of the nation during the American Civil War. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

A 5 page exploration of the factors which led to a Northern victory and a Southern defeat during the American Civil War. Details the differences between the agrarian subsistence of the south and the industrial concentration of the south and how it related to the war efforts. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

A 4 page review of the importance of Kennesaw Mountain in the Civil War. Emphasizes the fortified nature of the mountain and recounts Sherman's failure to claim it. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 3 page paper discussing the impact of Southern Reconstruction on the political and social identity of the South. The author considers the impact of Northern military forces, blacks entering the work force, and the attitude after defeat, on the ability of the South to rise after the Civil War. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 5 page research paper that examines how election coverage differed between the North and South. The writer gives a detailed summation of the coverage that appeared in the New York Times and the New Orleans Daily Picayune as being representative of these regions. As one would expect, the tone employed by these newspapers was ...

A 5 page discussion of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address and, in agreement with Garry Wills, its effectivity in raising the American patriotic spirit more so that earlier documents. The paper discusses how this is related to various feelings of unity around loss, hope and a sense of personal involvement in and supportof the American dream. ...

A 5 page book analysis of Michael Shaara's Pulitzer Prize winning historical novel of the Battle of Gettysburg as seen through the eyes of the Union and Confederate officers. This fascinating story the fears, mistakes, and victories during the four day battle that most perceive as determining the outcome of the Civil War.

A 10 page paper that considers the role of Lincoln in determining the political climate that allowed for the 13th and 14th amendments to the Constitution. The writer provides an overview of Lincoln's political influence and determinations that led to important governmental changes. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

An 8 page research paper supporting the theory that John Wilkes Booth did not work alone when he assassinated President Lincoln. The writer connects Booth to a group of conspirators who planned to assassinate Lincoln, Secretary of State Seward, and even the Vice President. By developing this connection and relating these individuals to ...

A 5 page paper discussing the potential problems generated by the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation. The writer argues that Lincoln released the paper as an interventional measure to try and ensure that slavery was stopped without changing the inalienable rights of all U.S. citizens provided by the Constitution. His attempt was ambiguous ...

Approximately 5 pages worth of factual discussion about the decades leading up to America's civil war. Discusses politics, the gold rush, slavery, growing tensions etc; No Bibliography included.

A 3 page paper that describes the political, economic and individual crises in post-Civil War America. Included in this paper are the Pullman train strike, Coxey's Army and the march on Washington, unemployment, and the impact of the financial crisis of 1893. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 9 page paper examining one of the many reasons why the North won the War in the United States. There are many reasons why this war was won by the North and perhaps the most important factor in the defeat of the South was due to the intelligence of Sherman. He gained full force ...

A 5 page paper that discusses the reasons for the Northern victory in the American Civil War. This paper is based on the belief that the same economic, political and military structures that were imperative to the onset of the aggressions between the North and South were also reasons for the Northern victory. Bibliography with ...

A 2 page book review on David Donald's 'Why the North Won the Civil War.' The writer details the essential points of the five essays included. Bibliography lists the 1 primary source discussed.

This 6 page research paper examines whether or not the American Civil War and the Reconstruction (1861-1877) adequately resolved the two central conflicts facing the fledgling nation -- the power of the federal government in relation to the states and the meaning of racial equality. Bibliography lists 5 sources.