The Killer Angels By: Michael Shaara - Book Report/Review Example

Why did they fight? The basic answer to this question is those on the Southern side want to preserve slavery and those on the Northern side want to preserve the Union and later to eradicate slavery to free the black men. After the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation on New Year’s Days of 1862, the Union soldiers recognize an opportunity to abolish slavery from the nation, extending the promise of freedom to the blacks as intended by the brains behind the Declaration. On the other hand, the Southerners want to preserve a slave-holding republic of successful in winning independence.

The South claimed that it was just an imitation of the Revolutionary War Ancestors. However, many of the Southerners fight the very concept of slavery, Last Name 3 although, it is not the slavery they are used to living with but what is being imposed on them by the Yankees. Did their motivations in fighting differ? A lot of men fought for their country as it was considered an honor to be called to offer their lives on the altar. Others have the conviction of fighting for a holy cause. Some others fought just because they didn’t want to be seen coward and joined their friends.

But there were also those men, in the North, who fought to abolish slavery and those down South fought, thinking they would be supported back home and some fought for vengeance on those who tried to pollute and insult their Southern soil. A narration in the novel when Chamberlain is preparing a speech to the mutineers; “He had grown up believing in America and the individual and it was a stronger faith than his faith in God. True freedom has begun here and it would spread eventually over all the earth.

” (Shaara, 1993) Shaara gives the readers through this narration an explanation of the character of Col. Chamberlain. It supports the character of being someone who fights for freedom and equality, which is the reason of the Union in fighting the war. Being the Union’s Colonel, this narration supports Chamberlain’s stance. One of the primary reasons of the Civil War is the secession of the Southerners from the Union. Shaara depicts that the differences of the motivations of the war are freedom and equality over slavery and aristocratic class distinctions.

On the other hand, the author portrays Gen. Lee as someone who fights for the war with no personal agenda just like Longstreet. “You and I have no Last Name 4 cause. We have only the army.” (Shaara, 1993) Just like some other men who joined the war just because everybody is there. Did everyone have similar motivations to fight? Both sides have different reasons fighting the war. As what has been mentioned in the previous pages, both parties have differences. But despite all the conflicts and reasons, they also have similar motivations in fighting: loyalty to their positions and to their people.

No matter what their reasons are joining the war, in the end, they all fight for their brothers – their brothers in the field, ricking lives for the same reason. It is shown in the Pickett’s Charge that Longstreet is aware that thousands of men will die but he cannot bring himself to ask his fellow officers and soldiers to turn their backs on Gen. Lee and follow him instead. He also cannot turn his back to his own