War Democrat facts for kids

During the 1860s, a group of politicians in the Democratic Party were known as War Democrats. These Democrats strongly supported keeping the United States together. They did not agree with the "Copperheads," who were other Democrats who wanted peace even if it meant letting the Southern states leave.

War Democrats wanted the Union to fight harder against the Confederacy. When the American Civil War began after Abraham Lincoln won the 1860 election, War Democrats supported his actions. They believed in a strong national government and keeping the country united.

Ohio's Role in the War

In 1862, a big election happened in Ohio. The Republicans and War Democrats teamed up. They formed a group called the Unionist Party. This alliance helped them win against the regular Democrats. The Democrats were led by a Copperhead named Clement Vallandigham.

A New Governor for Ohio

In 1863, the race for Ohio's governor became very important. Both Republicans and War Democrats were not happy with the current governor, David Tod. They looked for someone new. A War Democrat named John Brough gave a powerful speech. He spoke strongly about supporting the Union.

After this speech, Brough became their choice for governor. He won the election that fall. His victory was partly because he supported ending slavery more than Governor Tod did. When Brough won by a huge number of votes, President Lincoln was thrilled. He sent a message saying, "Glory to God in the Highest. Ohio has saved the Nation."

The 1864 Presidential Election

The Republican Party understood how important War Democrats were. For the 1864 United States presidential election, they changed their name. They became the National Union Party. This new party nominated President Lincoln, who was a Republican. For Vice President, they chose Andrew Johnson, a War Democrat.

This change allowed many War Democrats to support Lincoln. They could back his war policies without voting for a "Republican" ticket. Some Republicans who disagreed with Lincoln also joined this new party. They did not want to split the vote. They feared that if votes were split, the Copperheads might win the election. The National Union ticket won many seats in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

After the War: 1865–1869

After Lincoln was assassinated in 1865, Andrew Johnson became President. Johnson's plans for Reconstruction were less strict. He was more forgiving towards the Southern states that had left the Union. This was different from the "Radical Republicans," who wanted to punish the South more. They also wanted to protect the rights of former slaves more strongly.

This disagreement showed a challenge for many War Democrats. They had supported the Union during the war. But they did not want to be too harsh on former Confederates. They also did not always want to strongly protect the rights of formerly enslaved people.

Johnson's Presidential Bid

In 1868, President Johnson tried to get the Democratic Party's nomination for president. However, he did not win. He lost to Horatio Seymour, a former Copperhead from New York.

Lincoln had also appointed other War Democrats to important jobs. Some of these War Democrats later joined the Republican Party. Others remained Democrats.

Key War Democrat Leaders

Many important figures were War Democrats. Here are some of them:

• Andrew Johnson: He was a Senator from Tennessee. He also served as military Governor of Tennessee. He became Vice President in 1864 and President after Lincoln's death.
• George Bancroft: A famous historian and speech writer for presidents.
• John Brough: He served as the Governor of Ohio.
• Benjamin Butler: A Congressman from Massachusetts and a Union General.
• John Cochrane: A Congressman and a general in the Union Army.
• Reverdy Johnson: A Senator from Maryland.
• John Alexander McClernand: A Union General from Illinois.
• John Adams Dix: He was James Buchanan's Secretary of the Treasury. He also served as a Union General.
• Stephen A. Douglas: A Senator from Illinois. He was the main Democratic candidate from the North in the 1860 presidential election. He died early in the war.
• Joseph Holt: He was Buchanan's Secretary of War. Later, he became Lincoln's Judge Advocate General of the Army.
• August Belmont: He was the leader of the Democratic National Committee from 1860 to 1872.
• Francis Kernan: A Congressman from New York.
• Michael Crawford Kerr: He was the 32nd Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.
• John A. Logan: A Congressman from Illinois and a Union General.
• George B. McClellan: A railroad president and a Union General. He was also the Democratic presidential candidate in 1864.
• Joel Parker: He served as the Governor of New Jersey.
• Edwards Pierrepont: He was appointed Attorney General by President Ulysses S. Grant in 1875.
• William Rosecrans: He led the Union Army at the Battle of Chickamauga. He was asked to run with Lincoln in 1864.
• Daniel Sickles: A former New York Congressman. He led the III Corps at the Battle of Gettysburg.
• David Tod: He was the Governor of Ohio.
• Edwin M. Stanton: He was Buchanan's Attorney General. He became Lincoln's Secretary of War and switched to the Republican Party in 1862.