Lincoln and California: The President, the War, and the Golden State

Abraham Lincoln's relationship with California has been overlooked by historians, but Brian McGinty's book explains how the state was in large part responsible for beginning the Civil War. McGinty demonstrates that California's decision to exclude slavery from the state but enact racist legislation encouraged Southerners to hope that it would become an independent slave nation. Lincoln's opposition to their plans unleashed the Civil War, but California played a vital role in helping him save the Union.

Format: Hardback
Length: 296 pages
Publication date: 01 October 2023
Publisher: Potomac Books Inc

The profound connections between Abraham Lincoln and California, as well as California and Lincoln, have been largely ignored by historians. Despite the countless books written about the great Civil War president, his significant relationship with the Western state, both prior to and during the war, has received limited attention and comprehension. In his book, Lincoln and California, Brian McGinty delves into the intricate relationship between the president and the Golden State, outlining significant events that occurred in California and other parts of the country during Lincoln's lifetime. He also includes the histories of Lincoln's close friends and personal acquaintances who ventured to California, settled there, and played a crucial role in preserving its connection to the Union amidst the looming threat of secession.

McGinty compellingly argues that California played a significant role in initiating the Civil War. The primary objective of its conquest in the Mexican War was to acquire land that would enable the Southern states to expand their cotton-growing and slaveholding empires. The decision of California's first voters to exclude slavery but enact racist legislation gave rise to hope among Southerners that if they established a separate republic, it could become an independent slave nation with the power to extend its territory to the Pacific coast of North America, as well as into the Caribbean and Latin America. Lincoln's steadfast opposition to their plans ignited the Civil War.

However, as the conflict unfolded, the hopes of the pro-slavery Confederates were ultimately dashed. California's pivotal role in aiding Lincoln in saving the Union cannot be overstated. Through its resources, infrastructure, and strategic location, California provided crucial support to the Union war effort. It served as a supply base, a haven for escaped slaves, and a source of volunteers for the Union army. The state's commitment to the Union cause ultimately contributed to the defeat of the Confederates and the preservation of the United States.

Lincoln and California offers a fresh perspective on an important state, a pivotal president, and a pivotal moment in American history. It sheds light on the complex web of relationships that shaped the nation's destiny and highlights the critical role that California played in shaping its course. This book is a valuable addition to the literature on Lincoln and the Civil War, providing a deeper understanding of the president's relationship with the West and his role in preserving the Union.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781640126060