The program's subtitle "The Black Flag" is a reference to the words of Jefferson Davis, who was accusing President Abraham Lincoln of playing the race card in the Emancipation Proclamation at the height of the Civil War. At Mantapike Hill in Virginia, Davis asserted that "if Lincoln chooses the fly the black flag, he must be prepared to be repaid in kind." In that utterance, Davis defined himself as a man behind the times.
This episode argues unpersuasively that were it not for the Civil War, Jefferson Davis might be remembered as a hero. Davis had demonstrated valor in the battle of Monterey during the debacle of the Mexican-American War. He also served as Secretary of War, at one point seeking to import camels for use in battle. He was also a pro-slavery United States Senator. The filmmakers entirely miss the point that if the war had not come and Davis had been elected president of the Union, he would have been just as lackluster a leader as Millard Fillmore.
The point that the program ignores is that Jeff Davis lacked the vision of a statesman like Abraham Lincoln. Davis's thinking was that of a recidivist, who failed to recognize the signal importance of the Abolition of Slavery in Great Britain. Davis's thinking that he was fighting for "a just cause" reeks of the disillusion of a man out of step with his times.
Ordinary citizens in the South were now facing starvation, due to the war. The women desperately seeking bread recognize that Davis is a poor leader. Desertions from the Confederate army rise after Gettysburg. With the draft in place, both the South and the North face revolt. The tragic New York City riot ends in mayhem and madness.
At Fort Wagner, South Carolina, the 54th Regiment of Massachusetts proves its mettle with the first African-American soldiers fighting for the Union. Their leader, Robert Gould Shaw, gives his life for a new metaphor for the war. For the Southern part, General Patrick Cleburne's bold plan to enlist black soldiers is rejected by Davis, then covered up for thirty years. Again, it is the foot-dragging Davis who marches to the beat of an outmoded drummer. The Confederacy is now crumbling from within. Davis rejects the offer of Lee to resign. For the filmmakers, without Robert E. Lee, there never would have been a Jeff Davis in the first place.
In desperation mode, Davis's new strategy is to focus on the West, after failing to penetrate Union territory surrounding Washington. A Southern victory at Chickamauga stuns the Union forces. Still, the rebels cannot thwart the two-pronged leadership of Grant and Sherman. For Lincoln, Grant is now is his man. By contrast, the arrogance of Davis is on display as he considers himself a military genius, replacing Longstreet with Bragg. But Bragg has lost the trust of the other generals. A turning point occurs with Grant's triumph at Missionary Ridge. Now, things will come to a head at Chattanooga. It is there that the Confederate troops will skedaddle like a gaggle of geese.
At this point in the Civil War, a solitary man makes the journey to Gettysburg to deliver a two-minute speech during the dedication of a cemetery. The speech's central idea is a throwback to the ideals of the Founding Fathers. For historian Allen C. Guelzo, the message that "all men are created equal" is what Gettysburg taught. This was contrary to the belief systems of the European monarchies. It also drew a clear moral line in the sand between the war goals of Abe Lincoln and those of Jeff Davis.
The Gettysburg Address defined the shift of Lincoln away from the previous war aim of preserving the Union. Now, the goal might best be described as one of human rights. With his newfound confidence in U.S. Grant, Lincoln declares a federal holiday to give thanks. Now, Lincoln is thinking beyond the Emancipation Proclamation or legislation. The Constitution must be changed with the 13th Amendment.
But for Jeff Davis, things are now falling apart at the seams. Another "fall" that occurs is that of his 5-year-old son Joseph, who accidentally topples off a balcony to his tragic death. The loss is as profound for Davis as the death of young Willie was forLincoln. But the stark contrast between Lincoln and Davis is that the former has a core ideal for continuing the war effort, while the latter's vision is hollow. Jeff Davis may have felt revulsion at Lincoln's black flag. But after the battle of Gettysburg and Lincoln's timeless speech, Davis and those supporting his "cause' will soon be raising the white flag.
This episode argues unpersuasively that were it not for the Civil War, Jefferson Davis might be remembered as a hero. Davis had demonstrated valor in the battle of Monterey during the debacle of the Mexican-American War. He also served as Secretary of War, at one point seeking to import camels for use in battle. He was also a pro-slavery United States Senator. The filmmakers entirely miss the point that if the war had not come and Davis had been elected president of the Union, he would have been just as lackluster a leader as Millard Fillmore.
The point that the program ignores is that Jeff Davis lacked the vision of a statesman like Abraham Lincoln. Davis's thinking was that of a recidivist, who failed to recognize the signal importance of the Abolition of Slavery in Great Britain. Davis's thinking that he was fighting for "a just cause" reeks of the disillusion of a man out of step with his times.
Ordinary citizens in the South were now facing starvation, due to the war. The women desperately seeking bread recognize that Davis is a poor leader. Desertions from the Confederate army rise after Gettysburg. With the draft in place, both the South and the North face revolt. The tragic New York City riot ends in mayhem and madness.
At Fort Wagner, South Carolina, the 54th Regiment of Massachusetts proves its mettle with the first African-American soldiers fighting for the Union. Their leader, Robert Gould Shaw, gives his life for a new metaphor for the war. For the Southern part, General Patrick Cleburne's bold plan to enlist black soldiers is rejected by Davis, then covered up for thirty years. Again, it is the foot-dragging Davis who marches to the beat of an outmoded drummer. The Confederacy is now crumbling from within. Davis rejects the offer of Lee to resign. For the filmmakers, without Robert E. Lee, there never would have been a Jeff Davis in the first place.
In desperation mode, Davis's new strategy is to focus on the West, after failing to penetrate Union territory surrounding Washington. A Southern victory at Chickamauga stuns the Union forces. Still, the rebels cannot thwart the two-pronged leadership of Grant and Sherman. For Lincoln, Grant is now is his man. By contrast, the arrogance of Davis is on display as he considers himself a military genius, replacing Longstreet with Bragg. But Bragg has lost the trust of the other generals. A turning point occurs with Grant's triumph at Missionary Ridge. Now, things will come to a head at Chattanooga. It is there that the Confederate troops will skedaddle like a gaggle of geese.
At this point in the Civil War, a solitary man makes the journey to Gettysburg to deliver a two-minute speech during the dedication of a cemetery. The speech's central idea is a throwback to the ideals of the Founding Fathers. For historian Allen C. Guelzo, the message that "all men are created equal" is what Gettysburg taught. This was contrary to the belief systems of the European monarchies. It also drew a clear moral line in the sand between the war goals of Abe Lincoln and those of Jeff Davis.
The Gettysburg Address defined the shift of Lincoln away from the previous war aim of preserving the Union. Now, the goal might best be described as one of human rights. With his newfound confidence in U.S. Grant, Lincoln declares a federal holiday to give thanks. Now, Lincoln is thinking beyond the Emancipation Proclamation or legislation. The Constitution must be changed with the 13th Amendment.
But for Jeff Davis, things are now falling apart at the seams. Another "fall" that occurs is that of his 5-year-old son Joseph, who accidentally topples off a balcony to his tragic death. The loss is as profound for Davis as the death of young Willie was forLincoln. But the stark contrast between Lincoln and Davis is that the former has a core ideal for continuing the war effort, while the latter's vision is hollow. Jeff Davis may have felt revulsion at Lincoln's black flag. But after the battle of Gettysburg and Lincoln's timeless speech, Davis and those supporting his "cause' will soon be raising the white flag.
