Joseph E. Brown of Georgia

Paper Summary:

This in-depth paper discusses the rise to power of Governor Joseph E. Brown of Georgia during the Antebellum Period (1840-1860) in American History. It argues that Brown's rise was based on his support for states' rights, his common man roots and popularity. The paper describes that his power was a championship of the common Georgian causes, slavery, and a division within the Democratic Party. It equates Brown's success with the fact that he was a true Georgian and never dealt with national politics. The paper concludes that Brown used his power as Governor to lead Georgia out of the Union, when most Georgians wanted to remain in the Union.

Table of Contents:
State Senator Joseph E. Brown and His Common Man Roots: 1849-1851
The Georgia Democratic State Convention of 1857
Governor Joseph E. Brown and the March to War: 1857-1860
The Election of Lincoln and the Georgia Convention on Secession: 1860-1861
The Georgian Joseph E. Brown: Conclusions
Bibliography

From the Paper:

"A defining moment in American history was the cannon shot that could be heard across the country. At 4:30 in the morning on April 12, 1861, Confederate General Pierre Gustave Toutant-Beauregard (b. 1818 - d. 1893), under the orders of Confederate President Jefferson Davis (b. 1808 - d. 1889), opened fire on the besieged Fort Sumter in the Charleston, South Carolina, harbor, starting the American Civil War (1861-1865). The following day, Georgia Governor Joseph Emerson Brown (b. 1821 - d. 1894) received a telegram from the newly appointed Confederate Secretary of War, Leroy P. Walker (b. 1817 - d. 1884), informing Brown of the events in South Carolina. Walker wrote, "I must beg you at once without more delay to furnish my requisition for troops of March 9th. . . I trust you will concur with me in the opinion that the emergency of the case demands instant action." As Governor Brown read this letter he must have felt apprehensive. On the previous January 19th, using his power and popularity, Brown had lead Georgia out of the Union during a state convention, but now the first shots of a rebellion had been fired. This Southern Rebellion would surely lead to the creation of an independent Confederated States of America. At this point Brown must choose between the protection of Georgia and the protection of the newly born Confederate States of America. Brown quickly began writing his response to Secretary Walker."

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