Who or which groups supported a strong Federal government in the civil war?
Who or which groups supported states’ rights in the civil war?
During the Civil War, the main groups that supported a strong Federal government were:
1. The Unionists: These were individuals and groups who remained loyal to the United States and supported the Federal government's efforts to preserve the Union. This included Republicans, many Democrats, and moderate politicians who believed in a strong central government.
2. Radical Republicans: This faction of the Republican Party advocated for a strong and centralized government. They believed that the Union had to be preserved at all costs and were willing to use federal power to end slavery and ensure equal rights for African Americans.
3. Abolitionists: Individuals and groups that fought against slavery strongly supported a strong Federal government. They believed that slaveholders' rights should be limited in order to eradicate slavery and ensure justice for enslaved people.
On the other hand, the groups that supported states' rights during the Civil War were:
1. Confederate States of America (CSA): The Southern states that seceded from the Union and formed the Confederate States of America advocated for states' rights as a primary motivation for their secession. They believed that individual states should have the right to make their own laws and decisions, including the right to maintain the institution of slavery.
2. Southern Democrats: Many Democrats from the Southern states supported the idea of states' rights. They believed that the federal government should have limited powers and that individual states should be able to determine their own policies, including those related to slavery.
3. Some Northern Democrats: While the majority of Democrats in the North supported the Union and a strong Federal government, some Northern Democrats also sympathized with the idea of states' rights. These individuals were known as Copperheads and opposed the war effort, often advocating for a negotiated peace with the Confederacy.