American Developments 1860-77 essays

American Developments 1860-77 essays During the time period of 1860 1877, we fought to determine what position we would assume on many controversial issues. Black suffrage and the power of the national government against the power of the states were the two most prominent topics. The Constitution underwent crucial changes, reforms, and developments, yet Americas society, though affected by the Constitution, changed very little. God forbid these changes be called developments. South Carolina threatened secession because they were being denied many rights that were delegated to them by the Constitution. South Carolina and a better portion of the South felt that they had been denied their right to own slaves, because the federal government had left it up to the states to decide their position on slavery through popular sovereignty. Later, after the republicans had full control of Congress, they passed numerous bills freeing and benefiting the African-Americans. (Document A, American Pageant, Document D) With what seemed to be a follow up on former President Lincolns Emancipation Proclamation, Congress passed the 13th amendment accomplishing what Lincoln could not, freeing all the slaves. Still not satisfied, and yearning for equality the blacks called out for fair treatment and the 14th and 15th amendments were passed making African-Americans made primary citizens and granting them the right to vote. All the while encouraging the states to allow freedmen to vote. For a short time period Congress seemed like it was trying all that it could to promote black equality. (American Pageant, Document H) The Freedmens Bureau was formed to help the freedmen of the South find jobs and/or land to homestead. There were also many sympathizers that tried to help blacks utilize their newfound rights guiding them in gain offices, negotiating contracts, and voting. The scallywags and carpetbaggers within these groups promised to every freed sl...

The Burgundian Wars Battle of Nancy

The Burgundian Wars Battle of Nancy In late 1476, despite earlier defeats at Grandson and Murten, Duke Charles the Bold of Burgundy moved to besiege the city of Nancy which had been taken by Duke Rene II of Lorraine earlier in the year. Fighting severe winter weather, the Burgundian army encircled the city and Charles hoped to win a swift victory as he knew Rene to be gathering a relief force. Despite the siege conditions, the garrison at Nancy remained active and sortied against the Burgundians. In one foray, they succeeded in capturing 900 of Charles men. Rene Approaches Outside the city walls, Charles situation was made more complicated by the fact that his army was not linguistically unified as it possessed Italian mercenaries, English archers, Dutchmen, Savoyards, as well as his own Burgundian troops. Acting with financial support from Louis XI of France, Rene succeeded in assembling 10,000-12,000 men from Lorraine and the Lower Union of the Rhine. To this force, he added an additional 10,000 Swiss mercenaries. Moving deliberately, Rene began his advance on Nancy in early January. Marching through the winter snows, they arrived south of the city on the morning of January 5, 1477. The Battle of Nancy Moving swiftly, Charles began deploying his smaller army to meet the threat. Making use of the terrain, he positioned his army across a valley with a small stream to its front. While his left was anchored on the River Meurthe, his right rested on an area of thick woods. Arranging his troops, Charles positioned his infantry and thirty field guns in the center with his cavalry on the flanks. Assessing the Burgundian position, Rene and his Swiss commanders decided against a frontal assault believing that it could not succeed. Instead, the decision was made to have the largely Swiss vanguard (Vorhut) move forward to attack Charles left, while the Center (Gewalthut) swung to the left through the forest to attack the enemy right. After a march that lasted around two hours, the Center was in position slightly behind Charles right. From this location, the Swiss alpenhorns sounded three times and Renes men charged down through the woods. As they slammed into Charles right, his cavalry succeeded in driving off their Swiss opposites, but his infantry was soon overwhelmed by superior numbers. As Charles desperately began shifting forces to realign and reinforce his right, his left was driven back by Renes vanguard. With his army collapsing, Charles and his staff frantically worked to rally their men but with no success. With the Burgundian army in mass retreat towards Nancy, Charles was swept along until his party was surrounded by a group of Swiss troops. Attempting to fight their way out, Charles was struck in the head by a Swiss halberdier and killed. Falling from his horse, his body was found three days later. With the Burgundians fleeing, Rene advanced to Nancy and lifted the siege. Aftermath While the casualties for the Battle of Nancy are not known, with Charles death the Burgundian Wars effectively came to an end. Charles Flemish lands were transferred to the Hapsburgs when Archduke Maximilian of Austria married Mary of Burgundy. The Duchy of Burgundy reverted to French control under Louis XI. The performance of the Swiss mercenaries during the campaign further bolstered their reputation as superb soldiers and led to their increased use across Europe.