About the book
During the Civil War, Union and Confederate politicians, military commanders, everyday soldiers, and civilians claimed their approach to the conflict was civilized, in keeping with centuries of military tradition meant to restrain violence and preserve national honor. One hallmark of civilized warfare was a highly ritualized approach to retaliation. This ritual provided a forum to accuse the enemy of excessive behavior, to negotiate redress according to the laws of war, and to appeal to the judgment of other civilized nations. As the war progressed, Northerners and Southerners feared they were losing their essential identity as civilized, and the attention to retaliation grew more intense. When Black soldiers joined the Union army in campaigns in South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, raiding plantations and liberating enslaved people, Confederates argued the war had become a servile insurrection. And when Confederates massacred Black troops after battle, killed white Union foragers after capture, and used prisoners of war as human shields, Federals thought their enemy raised the black flag and embraced savagery.
Blending military and cultural history, Lorien Foote’s rich and insightful book sheds light on how Americans fought over what it meant to be civilized and who should be extended the protections of a civilized world.
Editions of Rites of Retaliation
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781469665269
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781469665276
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469665290
- EBook
- ISBN 9798890862273
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469665283
- PDF
- ISBN 9798890862266
Read an Excerpt
During the Civil War, Union and Confederate politicians, military commanders, everyday soldiers, and civilians claimed their approach to the conflict was civilized, in keeping with centuries of military tradition meant to restrain violence and preserve national honor. One hallmark of civilized warfare was a highly ritualized approach to retaliation. This ritual provided a forum to accuse the enemy of excessive behavior, to negotiate redress according to the laws of war, and to appeal to the judgment of other civilized nations. As the war progressed, Northerners and Southerners feared they were losing their essential identity as civilized, and the attention to retaliation grew more intense. When Black soldiers joined the Union army in campaigns in South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, raiding plantations and liberating enslaved people, Confederates argued the war had become a servile insurrection. And when Confederates massacred Black troops after battle, killed white Union foragers after capture, and used prisoners of war as human shields, Federals thought their enemy raised the black flag and embraced savagery.
Blending military and cultural history, Lorien Foote’s rich and insightful book sheds light on how Americans fought over what it meant to be civilized and who should be extended the protections of a civilized world.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Rites of Retaliation about?
During the Civil War, Union and Confederate politicians, military commanders, everyday soldiers, and civilians claimed their approach to the conflict was civilized, in keeping with centuries of military tradition meant to restrain violence and preserve national honor. One hallmark of civilized warfare was a highly ritualized approach to retaliation. This ritual provided a forum to accuse the enemy of excessive behavior, to negotiate redress according to the laws of war, and to appeal to the judgment of other civilized nations. As the war progressed, Northerners and Southerners feared they were losing their essential identity as civilized, and the attention to retaliation grew more intense. When Black soldiers joined the Union army in campaigns in South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, raiding plantations and liberating enslaved people, Confederates argued the war had become a servile insurrection. And when Confederates massacred Black troops after battle, killed white Union foragers after capture, and used prisoners of war as human shields, Federals thought their enemy raised the black flag and embraced savagery.
Blending military and cultural history, Lorien Foote’s rich and insightful book sheds light on how Americans fought over what it meant to be civilized and who should be extended the protections of a civilized world.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Rites of Retaliation?
History and Archaeology > History > History of the Americas
Where can I read a sample of Rites of Retaliation?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781469665269
How long is Rites of Retaliation and how many pages does it have?
Rites of Retaliation has 312 page(s)
Is Rites of Retaliation part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series The Steven and Janice Brose Lectures in the Civil War Era
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Rites of Retaliation?
Lorien Foote
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Rites of Retaliation is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781469665269) and paperback(ISBN 9781469665276) and ebook(ISBN 9781469665290) and ebook(ISBN 9798890862273) and ebook(ISBN 9781469665283) and pdf(ISBN 9798890862266)
Where can I buy Rites of Retaliation online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Rites of Retaliation from below
Where can I buy Rites of Retaliation?