“Under the plea of military necessity, the executive authority has assumed to itself powers which belong only to a despotism. The sacred writ of habeas corpus, the very shield of American liberty, has been cast aside at the mere whim of the President. Citizens of loyal states, far removed from the theaters of active rebellion, have been dragged from their homes and subjected to arbitrary arrests and trials by military tribunals, in open defiance of the judiciary. This war, begun ostensibly to preserve the Union, is fast transforming our constitutional republic into a centralized military dictatorship.”
Which of the following historical developments during the Civil War most directly contributed to the criticisms expressed in the excerpt?
- The Lincoln administration's suspension of the writ of habeas corpus and use of military courts to silence Northern dissentersAnswer
- BThe passage of the Fourteenth Amendment to protect individual civil rights from state-level infringement
- CThe federal government's enforcement of popular sovereignty to determine the legal status of labor in newly acquired western territories
- DThe imposition of high protective tariffs and direct taxes to fund the Union war effort
Answer
The Lincoln administration's suspension of the writ of habeas corpus and use of military courts to silence Northern dissenters
The correct answer is correct because during the Civil War, the Lincoln administration faced severe domestic opposition from Northern Democrats (often called Copperheads) who opposed the war and draft. In response, Lincoln suspended the writ of habeas corpus and allowed military courts to try civilians in areas where civil courts were still operational. This expansion of presidential power sparked intense debate over the balance between national security and individual constitutional rights.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Wartime executive expansion and the suspension of civil liberties
Estimated Time:1m 30s