An Analysis of Maryland Governor Thomas Hicks and His Role in Permitting Debate during the Early Part of the Civil War
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Tan John
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Annotation
This paper aims at analyzing Maryland Governor Thomas H. Hicks's role in the contentious political environment during the Civil War. Using a combination of secondary and primary resources, including letters from the Pennsylvania and North Carolina legislatures, Hick’s speeches, transcripts from the Maryland Assembly, and books on Maryland State History, this paper begins by substantiating Maryland’s vulnerable position as a border state during the Civil War. Additionally, the paper will illustrate the pressures facing Hicks as he made the decision to allow open debate despite tense political opposition over slavery. Through an in-depth examination, this paper will provide a context for Hick’s decision and highlight his support of individual rights, freedom of speech, and democracy during a critical moment when Maryland was faced with the choice to join the Union or secede.
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Authors
Tan John
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References:
[1] Author Brown. “George W. Brown to John A. Andrew, April 20, 1861.” George W. Brown to John A. Andrew, April 20, 1861 | House Divided, hd.housedivided.dickinson.edu/node/36712.
[2] Author Hicks. “Proclamation of the Governor of Maryland, April 18, 1861.” Proclamation of the Governor of Maryland, April 18, 1861 | House Divided, hd.housedivided.dickinson.edu/node/36711.
[3] Author McClure. “Alexander K. McClure to Abraham Lincoln, January 15, 1861.” Alexander K. McClure to Abraham Lincoln, January 15, 1861 | House Divided, hd.housedivided.dickinson.edu/node/35544.
[4] “‘Neutrality," Fayetteville (NC) Observer, May 2, 1861.” "Neutrality," Fayetteville (NC) Observer, May 2, 1861 | House Divided, hd.housedivided.dickinson.edu/node/22888.
[5] “‘Mr. Lincoln at Washington," Atchison (KS) Freedom's Champion, March 2, 1861.” "Mr. Lincoln at Washington," Atchison (KS) Freedom's Champion, March 2, 1861 | House Divided, hd.housedivided.dickinson.edu/index.php/node/35102.
[6] 01, Conference Room. Thomas Holliday Hicks, MSA SC 3520-1462, msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/speccol/sc3500/sc3520/001400/001462/html/1462extbio.html.
[7] Civil War and the Maryland General Assembly, Maryland State Archives, msa.maryland.gov/msa/stagser/s1259/121/7590/html/0000.html.
[8] English, VOA Learning. “Virginia Leaves Union, Lincoln Puts Maryland under Military Rule.” VOA, Virginia Leaves Union, Lincoln Puts Maryland Under Military Rule, 18 Sept. 2014, learningenglish.voanews.com/a/civil-war-border-states-virginia-maryland/2450342.html.
[9] “History of Western Maryland.” Google Books, Google, books.google.com/books?id=ntVpHBIz0hAC&pg=PA202&dq=constitutional%2Bauthority%2Bto%2Btake%2Bsuch%2Baction&hl=en&sa=X&ei=khCtUKveOIXitQb6s4DIAw&ved=0CDgQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=constitutional%20authority%20to%20take%20such%20action&f=false.
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[12] “The Pratt Street Riot.” National Parks Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, www.nps.gov/fomc/learn/historyculture/the-pratt-street-riot.htm.
[1] Author Brown. “George W. Brown to John A. Andrew, April 20, 1861.” George W. Brown to John A. Andrew, April 20, 1861 | House Divided, hd.housedivided.dickinson.edu/node/36712.
[2] Author Hicks. “Proclamation of the Governor of Maryland, April 18, 1861.” Proclamation of the Governor of Maryland, April 18, 1861 | House Divided, hd.housedivided.dickinson.edu/node/36711.
[3] Author McClure. “Alexander K. McClure to Abraham Lincoln, January 15, 1861.” Alexander K. McClure to Abraham Lincoln, January 15, 1861 | House Divided, hd.housedivided.dickinson.edu/node/35544.
[4] “‘Neutrality," Fayetteville (NC) Observer, May 2, 1861.” "Neutrality," Fayetteville (NC) Observer, May 2, 1861 | House Divided, hd.housedivided.dickinson.edu/node/22888.
[5] “‘Mr. Lincoln at Washington," Atchison (KS) Freedom's Champion, March 2, 1861.” "Mr. Lincoln at Washington," Atchison (KS) Freedom's Champion, March 2, 1861 | House Divided, hd.housedivided.dickinson.edu/index.php/node/35102.
[6] 01, Conference Room. Thomas Holliday Hicks, MSA SC 3520-1462, msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/speccol/sc3500/sc3520/001400/001462/html/1462extbio.html.
[7] Civil War and the Maryland General Assembly, Maryland State Archives, msa.maryland.gov/msa/stagser/s1259/121/7590/html/0000.html.
[8] English, VOA Learning. “Virginia Leaves Union, Lincoln Puts Maryland under Military Rule.” VOA, Virginia Leaves Union, Lincoln Puts Maryland Under Military Rule, 18 Sept. 2014, learningenglish.voanews.com/a/civil-war-border-states-virginia-maryland/2450342.html.
[9] “History of Western Maryland.” Google Books, Google, books.google.com/books?id=ntVpHBIz0hAC&pg=PA202&dq=constitutional%2Bauthority%2Bto%2Btake%2Bsuch%2Baction&hl=en&sa=X&ei=khCtUKveOIXitQb6s4DIAw&ved=0CDgQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=constitutional%20authority%20to%20take%20such%20action&f=false.
[10] “Second Great Awakening.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., www.britannica.com/topic/Second-Great-Awakening.
[11] “Tariff of 1828.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., www.britannica.com/topic/Tariff-of-1828#:~:text=Calhoun%2C%20who%20opposed%20the%20federal,and%20nonbinding%20in%20the%20state.
[12] “The Pratt Street Riot.” National Parks Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, www.nps.gov/fomc/learn/historyculture/the-pratt-street-riot.htm.
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