Politics were was the most vital part of the Civil War, arguments over slavery, secession, and civil rights headed the political field. Henry Clay(1777-1852) was a powerful force in politics during and before the Civil War Era, Clay was a U.S. congressman, senator, presidential nominee, a foremost proponent of the “American System”. Clay’s experience in the politics gave him the name the “Great Compromiser” due to brokering important agreements during the Nullification Crisis and the issue of slavery. Clay was a dominant member of the Whig party and was a high ranking senator and representative in the House of Representatives, but Clay’s most important contribution to the Civil War were his deals to compromise over the status of slavery in …show more content…
Representative and Senator from Mississippi, also he was the twenty third U.S. Secretary of War. Davis was thrust into the Confederate presidency and often cited as one of the reasons the Confederacy weakened heavily, Davis had numerous problems including: lack of responsibility, lack of popular appeal, feuds with state governors and generals, political favoritism,inability to settle disagreements, choosing military matters over civil matters, and resistance to listen to public opinion. The only reason this awful president was elected was due to the fact he ran unopposed, his term was suppose to last six years. Jefferson Davis showed what a split in the United States would look like, separate countries fighting over extremely different ideals. If the Union hadn’t won and Jefferson wasn’t tried for treason, the Civil War would have divided the U.S between North and South. Charles Sumner(1811-1874) was almost the complete opposite of Jefferson Davis, Sumner was the leader of the Radical Republicans and strived to abolish slavery and bring equal rights to African-Americans. Sumner was constantly changing his political affiliation, but he always stood true to his belief in anti-slavery. Sumner’s main purpose was to fight the Southern slave owners who sought the continuation and expansion of slavery. Sumner’s greatest effect on the Civil War was when he almost got beaten to death by Preston Brooks on the Senate floor only a couple of days after giving his speech titled “The Crime Against Kansas” where characterized the attacker's cousin, South Carolina Senator Andrew Butler, as a pimp for slavery. After this assault took place, Sumner collapsed unconscious and couldn't return to senate for 4 years, he became a symbol throughout the North.