What did Abraham Lincoln envision when he talked about "reconstruction?" Assassinated in 1865; the president did not have a chance to begin the work of reconciling the North and South; nor to oversee Reconstruction as an official postwar strategy. Yet his final speech; given to thousands gathered in the rain outside the White House on April 11; 1865; gives a clear indication of what Lincoln's postwar policy might have looked like-one that differed starkly from what would emerge in the tumultuous decade that followed.In Lincoln's Last Speech; renowned historian and author Louis P. Masur offers insight into this critical address and its vision of a reconstructed United States. Coming two days after Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox and a week after the fall of Richmond; Lincoln's speech was expected to be a victory oration. Instead; he looked to the future; discussing how best to restore the seceded states to the national government; and even endorsing limited black suffrage. Delving into the language and arguments of Lincoln's last address; Masur traces the theme of reconstruction as it developed throughout his presidency; starting with the very earliest days of the war. Masur illuminates the evolution of Lincoln's thinking and the national debate around reconstruction; touching on key moments such as the Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction on December 8; 1863; and Lincoln's pocket veto of the Wade-Davis bill in July 1864. He also examines social reconstruction; including the plight of freedmen and the debate over the place of blacks in society; and considers the implications of Lincoln's speech after April 1865; when Andrew Johnson assumed office and the ground was laid for the most radical phases of the postwar policy. A nuanced study of Lincoln's views on national reconciliation; this work gives us a better understanding of the failures that occurred with postwar Reconstruction and the eventual path that brought the country to reunion.
#1506259 in Books 2001-01-31PDF # 1 #File Name: 188791840X414 pagesA moving account of an extraordinary man of many talents. Ralph Hockley's family was forced from Nazi Germany in 1935 and lived as refugees in France until 1941. After he and his family escaped to America; he returned to help defeat Hitler's Germany as a US soldier in WWII; then fought to liberate South Korea in 1950-51.
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A Must ReadBy marc briceAn important book that should be read by all. The author Ralph Hockley has an amazing life story. I learned a lot from this book.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Glad there is an available market for this personal walk through history.By Carolyn HockleyIt is great that this very straight-forward; frank and easy to read "history" book with personal experiences is still available on the secondary market! Thank you!
