Free Essays on Political Landscape From 1850 To 1860

Leading up to and even during the 1850’s, political parties within the union grew tense on the issue of slavery. In the text the author quotes Calhoun as saying â€Å"the cords holding the Union together had already begun to fray.† This is a great description of the growing animosity between the numerous party members. The most devastating blow to the Whig party was brought by the Kansas-Nebraska Act which was put forward by Stephen Douglas and repealed the Missouri Compromise and allowed popular sovereignty in the new territory of Kansas. With the split of the Whig party, some Northern Whigs joined the new American party which stood for serving the â€Å"patriotic cause of the Union.† Other Northern Whigs joined independent Democrats and Free Soilers arguing in opposition to slavery and forming what is later known as the Republican party in 1854. In 1854, at their first national convention, Republicans sought out John C. Fremont and took the first political party stance against slavery with the slogan â€Å"Free soil, free speech, and Fremont.† Republicans later named Abraham Lincoln as their 1860 presidential nominee. The Democratic party nominated James Buchanan for the 1856 election to run against Fremont. Contrary to the reaction of the Whig party, the Democratic platform endorsed the Kansas-Nebraska Act, plead with congress not to interfere with slavery issues, condemned nativism, and endorsed religious liberty. Buchanan won the election of 1856. Nearing the 1860 election, Democrats held their convention in Charleston, South Carolina. Here the party saw its split. Douglas supporters promised congressional noninterference with slavery while some southerners demanded protection of slavery. The climax of this party debate came when William L. Yancey informed Northern Democrats that they had â€Å"failed to defend slavery as a positive good.† In reply to this, a northern senator is claims that they had been mistaken and â€Å"We will no... Free Essays on Political Landscape From 1850 To 1860 Free Essays on Political Landscape From 1850 To 1860 Leading up to and even during the 1850’s, political parties within the union grew tense on the issue of slavery. In the text the author quotes Calhoun as saying â€Å"the cords holding the Union together had already begun to fray.† This is a great description of the growing animosity between the numerous party members. The most devastating blow to the Whig party was brought by the Kansas-Nebraska Act which was put forward by Stephen Douglas and repealed the Missouri Compromise and allowed popular sovereignty in the new territory of Kansas. With the split of the Whig party, some Northern Whigs joined the new American party which stood for serving the â€Å"patriotic cause of the Union.† Other Northern Whigs joined independent Democrats and Free Soilers arguing in opposition to slavery and forming what is later known as the Republican party in 1854. In 1854, at their first national convention, Republicans sought out John C. Fremont and took the first political party stance against slavery with the slogan â€Å"Free soil, free speech, and Fremont.† Republicans later named Abraham Lincoln as their 1860 presidential nominee. The Democratic party nominated James Buchanan for the 1856 election to run against Fremont. Contrary to the reaction of the Whig party, the Democratic platform endorsed the Kansas-Nebraska Act, plead with congress not to interfere with slavery issues, condemned nativism, and endorsed religious liberty. Buchanan won the election of 1856. Nearing the 1860 election, Democrats held their convention in Charleston, South Carolina. Here the party saw its split. Douglas supporters promised congressional noninterference with slavery while some southerners demanded protection of slavery. The climax of this party debate came when William L. Yancey informed Northern Democrats that they had â€Å"failed to defend slavery as a positive good.† In reply to this, a northern senator is claims that they had been mistaken and â€Å"We will no...

Roman Emperor Septimius Severus

Roman Emperor Septimius Severus Severus came to power by disposing of rivals with a better claim to power than his own. His immediate predecessor was Didius Julianus. Septimius Severus died peacefully, leaving, as joint successors, his sons Caracalla and  Geta. Dates April 11, A.D. 145-February 4, 211 Reign 193-211 Places of Birth and Death Leptis Magna; Eboracum Name Lucius Septimius Severus Augustus (Severus) Occupation Ruler (Roman Emperor Septimius Severus was born in Africa, at the Phoenician city of Leptis Magna (in Libya), to a presumed equestrian (wealthy) family with consuls in it, on April 11, 145, and died in Britain, on February 4, 211, after reigning for 18 years as Emperor of Rome. Family Parents:  P. Septimius Geta, (equestrian) and Fulvia Pia Wife:  Julia Domna Sons:  Bassianus (Caracalla) (b. 188); Geta (b. 189) Following the murder of Pertinax, Rome supported Didius Julianus as emperor, but as Severus entered Rome having been declared emperor by his troops in Pannonia on April 9, 193 [DIR], the supporters of Julianus defected, he was executed, and soon the soldiers in Italy and the senators supported Severus, instead; meanwhile, troops in the East proclaimed Syrias governor, Pescennius Niger, emperor, and the British legions, their governor, Clodius Albinus. Severus had to deal with his rival claimants. He defeated Pescennius Niger at the A.D. 194 Battle of Issus not to be confused with the battle in 333 B.C., in which Alexander the Great defeated the Persian Great King Darius. Severus then marched into Mesopotamia, where he set up a new legion and declared war on Roman emperor Clodius Albinus. Even with the legions of Britain, Gaul, Germany, and Spain, behind him, Albinus still lost to Severus in 197 near Lyon [see Lyon Museum], and committed suicide. The reputation of Septimius Severus changes with the times. Some consider him responsible for the Fall of Rome. According to [virtual-pc.com/orontes/severi/MoranSev193.html, 6/29/99] Jonathan C. Moran, Gibbon blamed Severus for the changes that led to turmoil and ultimate decay in Rome. The De Imperatoribus Romanis entry on Severus explains the charge: by giving greater pay and benefits to soldiers and annexing the troublesome lands of northern Mesopotamia into the Roman empire, Septimius Severus brought increasing financial and military burdens to Romes government. His reign was also considered bloody and according to the Catholic Encyclopedia, he may have been involved in the murder of his predecessor, Pertinax. The Catholic Encyclopedia also says he persecuted the Christians and forbade conversion to Judaism and to Christianity. On the other side, Septimius Severus restored stability to the Roman Empire. He improved performance and increased morale by making (expensive) changes in the military and praetorian guard. He restored Hadrians Wall and was involved in other construction projects. He also played the part of the traditional emperor: He reformed the grain supply for the city of Rome.... He put on games... for the people to keep them diverted and on his side. He freed his friends from debt and gave donatives to the soldiers and people. He also heard lawsuits.... Severus also began appointing his own men to the senate, one the emperors traditional prerogatives.- [www.virtual-pc.com/orontes/severi/MoranSev193.html#1, 6/29/99] Severus and Traditional Auctoritas Print SourceSeptimius Severus: The African Emperor, by Anthony Richard Birley Also, see Historia Augusta - The Life of Septimius Severus Septimius Severus and the Severan Emperors Septimius Severus and his successors were known as Severan Emperors Septimius SeverusCaracallaGetaEmperors Pertinax and Didius JulianusRoman Emperors Timeline 2nd CenturyRoman Emperors Timeline 3rd Century Ancient Sources on Septimius Severus HerodianHistoria AugustaDio Cassius