Described by various historians as contentious, tumultuous, dangerous, and even the worst in history. What made it so . Susan on the face of it is what you have to recognize is this was the most consequential election transition in American History. The central issue, of course, is that several Southern States did not recognize the election of Abraham Lincoln as a legitimate. It considered him a sectional president for the fact that by and large to support came from nonslave states and no sooner had he been elected that South Carolina makes good on its promise to proceed toward seceding from the union on the grounds that the election did not represent its interest. Host lets set the stage for the transition. James buchanan had announced that he would be a one term president , but we did a regular president ial Leadership Survey and James Buchanan always falls at the bottom of the list as the worst leader in american president ial history. How would you characterize his leadership skill
You can cherry picked certain things, but later on during his presidency he gains quite deep respect and affection even springfield. He lived in the neighborhood, this was back in illinois, a neighborhood that was full of africanericans. He became friendly to them and he kept corresponding with several of them while he was in the wte house. While he was in the white house Frederick Douglass who was at first thought he was quite conservative of slary that in a couple of timesn the white house and really was astounded. He came out of this thing, this is the least prejudiced white person i think ive ever met. The same thing with sojourner truth. She was an oer africanamerican feminist and she said before i die i want to et this guy, this president abraham lincoln. Sh had a delightful time with him and felt very, very close to hi Martin Delaney who was, we would call him beyond black lives matter. Heas like a black nationalist. Very militant. He became at the end of the war, lioln appointe
A cameo. When we get to the q a part there is a microphone in the back of the room and we will let you know when it is time you will line up there to ask your questions. It is always worthwhile to revisit the documents that set us apart from british rule and created the framework for our government. Our guest speaker, kermit roosevelt, explores these documents and shares interpretation of their meaning and relevance. Professor roosevelt teaches constitutional law at the university of pennsylvania law school. He was born and raised in d. C. And attended harvard and yale. Before joining, he served as a law clerk to Supreme Court Justice David souter. His book sets standards by which citizens can determine whether the Supreme Court is abusing its authority to interpret the constitution. He also teaches creative writing and is the author of two novels. In the shadow of the law and allegiance. Please join me in a round of applause for professor roosevelt. [applause] thank you. Thank you all
Filming. Also, if youre wondering what all the equipment is in the back of the room, its cspan, so make show your nicest smile, brush your hair, get ready, just in case you get a cameo. And when we get to the q a part, there is a microphone in the back of the room, and well let you know when its time for that, and well ask you to line up this to ask your questions. In a politically restive time, its always worthwhile revisiting the documents that set us apart from british rule and created the framework for our government. Tonight, our guest speaker, kermit roosevelt, explores these documents and shares his interpretation of their meaning and relevance. Professor roosevelt teaches constitutional law at the university of pennsylvania law school. He was born and raised in d. C. And attended Harvard University and yale law. Before joining the penn faculty, he served as a law clerk to Supreme Court Justice David souter. His book, the myth of judicial activism, making sense of Supreme Court
At the Community College in new york. Derek has recently earned fame for his brand new book as part of the emerging civil war series. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome derek maxfield. Thank you very much. Im very pleased to be here and talk about my latest project. You know, elmira is, and prisoner war camps in general, have been a surprise me. Ive studied the civil war since, umm, since i was quite young, and, umm, you know, knew the lengths of the tragedy during the civil war, umm, but it was eyeopening to me the extent of the humanitarian crisis that unfolded over the course of those four bloody years. Umm, over 56,000, umm, died, umm, in prisoner of war camps over that time. Just over 500,000 incarcerated in total. And all though we understand, you know, the that this is just a small number of casualties considered the total number of casualties during the civil war, over 750,000 now, we believe, umm when you consider we could have done better both north and south. You consider