Freedom, Union, and Power: Lincoln and His Party in the Civil War

The book delves into the evolving beliefs of the Republican Party during the Civil War, highlighting the shift from a pre-war ideology focused on free soil and labor to the responsibilities that arose with Lincoln's election. As the party grappled with the necessity of preserving the government through war, it also faced the imperative of ending slavery and promoting a strong Union. Michael Green explores how the Republicans balanced the use of federal power to quell rebellion while navigating the political landscape to maintain that power post-victory.