Essay on The Fate of Their Country

Words: 1080
Pages: 5
Open Document
Zubair Farooq,
History,
27th November 2012.

“The Fate of Their Country”
Michael F. Holt.

"To locate the most direct causes of the American Civil War," he contends in the preface, "one must look at the actions of governmental officeholders in the decades before that horrific conflict." Professor Michael F Holt needs no introduction among historians. He is single handedly regarded as one of the scholars who is most responsible for the emergence of what some call a neo-revisionist interpretation and outlook about the origins and circumstances that resulted in the Civil War. His ideas which are reflected throughout his books especially “The Fate of their country” emphasize that the reasons which caused The Civil War …show more content…
Though I am still to be convinced about Holt’s points, about the Southerners primary needs that they were compelled to salvage honor and save face over any realistic and practical expectations regarding the extension of slavery, into the territories that were conquered or usurped or politically acquired. Holt also holds another argument strongly that has been criticized from time to time and that is that it wasn’t slavery per-say but the continuous debates and differences in opinion and stances on topics related to the extension of slavery into the new territories and states that resulted into the great divide between the North and the South and ending up in the Civil War. Holt takes us back in time and gives us a glimpse of the era of politicians whose visage would never be honored at Mt. Rushmore as their own personal agendas and interests trumped those of the nation. Many examples of such agendas are given and pointed out in the book such as Steven A. Douglas who worked hard and strived to complete the Transcontinental Railroad which was made to seem as the greatest gift of the era to the American people was in part actually to make sure that it would pass through his own estates and land to create a profit for him.

Holt also explores the motivations and reasoning behind some of the very well-known figures in
Show More

Related Documents: Essay on The Fate of Their Country

V for Vandetta Essay

government is brought to its knees by one man. This book is V For Vendetta. Now the authors Alan Moore and David Lloyd have come up with codename V, and the one called V blows up parliament, lady liberty and kills many for the sake of changing the country, but also a more deeper reason of revenge. In this essay the reader will understand that change is necessary when the government controls the media, you have no privacy, and your freedom is nothing more than just a fantasy. V for Vendetta teaches…

Words 717 - Pages 3

Themes To End Evil In The Lord Of The Rings

can always overcome the forces of evil. Wisdom, fate, responsibility, sight and surveillance are the key themes that the main characters in The Lord of the Rings posses to use on their adventure to destroy all evil. Much similar to modern day society and as well on how this country was formed; we can connect similarities between the main themes used by the characters from the book to the roles our founding fathers had in forming this great country and to people in our current day life. Free will…

Words 966 - Pages 4

Cormac Mccarthyism In No Country For Old Men

Cormac McCarthy’s No Country for Old Men: What Money Can Do to A Man Cormac McCarthy’s 2005 novel, No Country for Old Men follows the story of three characters: Anton Chigurh, Llewelyn Moss and Sheriff Ed Tom Bell. Anton Chigurh is the main antagonist and can be described as a “psychopathic killer” (McCarthy 115). Anton Chigurh kills just about everybody he comes in contact with, but at times he might give them a second chance by letting a coin toss decide their fate. He is a ruthless killer…

Words 869 - Pages 4

William Shakespeare Research Paper

wonderful world of literature. Elizabethan era England was a time of prosperity both in the artistic world and economically, allowing for Shakespeare to work ever so diligently on his art. This time was also plagued with worry of what would happen to the country once Queen Elizabeth dies. As a main focal point Shakespeare took a political stance in his plays…

Words 1565 - Pages 7

The Lion King And Macbeth Comparison

both thought that what they were doing was the right thing to do. Rafiki is similar to the witches in that they both told the fate to the main character. Rafiki told Mufasa that Simba would be king the witches told Macbeth that he would be king. However, they are different in that the Witches told of the fate of Macbeth who was not in the line to be king. Rafiki told of the fate of Simba who was in the line to be king and he also reminded Simba of who he is. These are some of the ways that the witches…

Words 993 - Pages 4

Midsummer Night's Dream: Fate vs. Free Will Essay

Midsummer Night's Dream essay Throughout the play A Midsummer Night's Dream, Shakespeare uses both fate and free will to present his philosophy towards the nature of love. The characters struggle through confusion and conflicts to be with the one they love. Although the course of their love did not go well, love ultimately triumphs over all at the end of the play. The chaos reaches a climax causing great disruption among the lovers. However, the turmoil is eventually resolved by Puck…

Words 1204 - Pages 5

No Country for Old Men Scene Comparison Essay

Scene Comparison: The Coin Toss The award winning film, No Country for Old Men, adapted from Cormac McCarthy’s 2007 novel, is a riveting tale of a brutal chain of events related to money, murder, and drugs, which rolls through West Texas in the 1980’s. Told through the perspective of the stories three main characters – a soulless killer, an old time sheriff, and an experienced country boy – both the novel and the film keep the audience anxiously waiting for the next gun fight or brutal killing…

Words 1214 - Pages 5

Essay about Destiny and Fate

Throughout our lives we are faced with roads rarely understood. As nature takes its course we are put up against world of fate. Fate is the supposed force, principle, or power that predetermines events. No matter how much we attempt to look past fate, it will never flee. Within the past few months I have been preparing for the future. Through endless hours of college prep work, I was determined to attend the University of Minnesota: Twin Cities in Minneapolis, Minnesota. As I finished up my Act…

Words 521 - Pages 3

Oedipus The King Theme Essay

Sophocles “Oedipus the King” the themes of fate and free will are very strong throughout the play. Memories of the past is also a central theme of the story. Power is as well a recurring theme that Oedipus allows to consume him. Each of these themes can be related to different aspects of modern day America. Fate and free will is the main theme that is analyzed when “Oedipus the King” is discussed. Oedipus stubbornly believes that he may outwit his fate is what ultimately caused his downfall. His…

Words 481 - Pages 2

In The World You Can Control Your Destiny Essay

In the world you can control your destiny, but not your fate. Like a road your destiny has many opportunities that you can turn right or left to, but with fate there’s a one-way street. We all have the choice as to whether we fulfill our destiny. In the play “The tragedy of Julius Caesar” by William Shakespeare there is two forces at work fate and free will. Fate was shown in the many prophecies and omens that the characters viewed throughout the entire play. Free will is the free and independent…

Words 792 - Pages 4