Copperheads

Jennifer L. Weber's *Copperheads* offers the first comprehensive portrait in nearly half a century of the anti-war Democrats who fueled fierce dissent on the Northern home front during the Civil War. Nicknamed "Copperheads," this powerful faction nearly derailed Lincoln's presidency, advocating for states' rights and civil liberties while virulently opposing his moves toward emancipation and his constitutional interpretations, including the suspension of habeas corpus. Weber reveals how their actions plunged Northern communities into turmoil and violence, and how the decisive backing of Union soldiers ultimately secured Lincoln's re-election despite this intense "fire in the rear." This gripping history provides fresh insights into a pivotal, divided era.

Archival Categorization Notes

This literature has been indexed under the primary pillar of American Civil War. It was manually vetted for the Read For Truth database because it provides educational insights into Beyond the Combat, assisting researchers in locating established secondary research within this specific taxonomy.