Coles County Charleston riot
coles county, illinois, 1875.
the copperheads represented political affiliation staunchly opposed president lincoln, draft, , abolition of slavery. group favored armistice end civil war because opposed war itself. components of copperhead ideology centered on mistrust of implications war presented american society. in particular, aim free slaves had become issue white natives of illinois took issue with. civil war had split country factions, either side chose support or oppose aim reincorporate southern states union. copperheads believed lincoln administration had been out of line abolishing slavery. citizens of coles county accepted ideology not in best interest of country free slaves. although exact number hard gauge has been estimated, victor hicken in illinois in civil war, coles county had been significant pocket of copperhead sympathizers. idea supported fact john o’hair, leader of copperheads, had been sheriff of coles county during civil war.
in end, charleston riot provides example of how local events of coles county history have fit national currents well. copperheads of coles county had been different other dissenting groups around country, in chose use physical violence method of dissent. killing union soldiers, had become emblem of federal government control, copperheads attempting project anger toward government. draft, strong central government, , racism fueled copperheads support within county. in march 1864, these national tensions boiled on in small town of charleston, creating 1 of interesting events in history of county.
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