Interpret the Evidence
How does John Beauchamp Jones describe the participants in the Richmond bread protest (Document 13.11)? What did Beauchamp report that the protesters took? How did Jefferson Davis attempt to stop the riot?
How does the illustration in Document 13.12 portray the rioters? Do you think the artist sympathized with them? Why or why not?
How does Edward B. Freeland describe the New York City draft riots (Document 13.13)? Who does he blame for their occurrence? Do you think the rioters can all be characterized as “ignorant and credulous masses”? Why did the rioters target African Americans?
Why did Clement L. Vallandigham disagree with the U.S. government’s decision to continue the war (Document 13.14)? How did he characterize the war’s progress?
Why did the North Carolina peace advocates argue against continuing the war (Document 13.15)? What did they hope to gain in a settlement? Do you think their demands were realistic? Why or why not?
Put It in Context
What do the protesters represented in this set of documents share in common? How did their causes and beliefs differ?
How did the individuals portrayed in these documents balance personal interests and wartime goals? How might personal goals—of protesters or politicians—have influenced the trajectory of the war?