Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Semester of Degree Completion

1988

Thesis Director

John H. Haley

Abstract

The Civil War is one of the most significant events in American history. President Abraham Lincoln’s term in office was dominated by the War, therefore the study of Lincoln has likewise been dominated by War developments. The War’s battles were overwhelmingly concentrated in the eastern United States, and hence the American west has largely been ignored by Lincoln scholars. This study attempts to uncover Lincoln’s policy toward Oregon, including War developments and his domestic policy, to partially fill the “western gap” in Lincoln scholarship.

Oregon was admitted to the federal Union in 1859, and by Lincoln’s election in 1860 that state’s population remained relatively small. Shortly after Lincoln’s election the Civil war broke out, and Oregon’s remoteness from Washington, D.C. made its situation difficult for Lincoln because communication was slow without a telegraph and transportation was laggard without the transcontinental railroad. A majority of Oregonians remained loyal to the Union, however a vocal minority formed a chapter of the Knights of the Golden Circle in Oregon to hinder the War’s success. The Knights even allied with other individuals in an effort to separate Oregon and California from the Union and form an independent Pacific Coast Republic. Oregon consisted mainly of Democratic voters, and after the War began Oregon’s Democratic Governor John Whiteaker was hostile toward Lincoln’s vigorous prosecution of the war.

The attack on Fort Sumter by the Confederates had a great impact upon the Oregonians. Most Oregonians viewed the Confederate attack as the act that initiated the War, and as a result Union sentiment in Oregon was strengthened. Lincoln acted quickly to secure Oregon for the Union by forming a regiment of cavalry to remain in Oregon to guard its frontier during the War. The cavalry performed its duties well until their term of enlistment expired and Lincoln authorized a regiment of cavalry to take its place. Although the majority of Oregonians supported Lincoln and the War, the troops were needed to suppress threatened uprisings by the Knights and Indians living in Oregon.

Lincoln’s war policy toward Oregon was just one part of his overall policy. Along with forming troop regiments, initiating the construction of forts, and supplying Oregon with an iron-clad, Lincoln also had a domestic policy toward Oregon. Lincoln reformed the federal circuit court system in order to include Oregon and other states into the system. Lincoln also signed the Homestead Act, the Pacific Railroad Act, and an act to provide economic assistance for a Pacific telegraph, all of which were pieces of legislation that Oregonians had long coveted. In return Oregon shipped large quantities of its gold eastward to help finance the war effort.

Lincoln’s policy toward Oregon was one of patience and prudence. Lincoln insured Oregonian support for the Union by supporting legislation that they had perennially demanded without antagonizing the Knights. He also acted decisively in his war policy toward Oregon that enabled that state to mobilize against both internal and external foes.

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