| Summary |
This thesis is an examination of the Wide Awakes, a Republican quasi-military campaign club that played an important part in the 1860 presidential election campaign. They have been largely ignored by historians, and when they have been portrayed those depictions were often inaccurate. This thesis will examine how the Wide Awakes differed from other political clubs of the nineteenth century and explore how the Wide Awakes were influential in the campaign to elect Abraham Lincoln. The Wide Awakes combined elements of pre-existing political clubs and military' influence with antislavery' ideology and youthful zeal to create one of the most structured and well-rounded campaign clubs of the nineteenth century. Historical interpretations of the Wide Awakes depict them as one-dimensional: boisterous and rowdy banner wavers for the Republican Party in 1860 whose spectacular parades and large membership meant little. Historians have been unable to see past the torchlight processions, grand rallies, unique uniforms, and attention to military'-style marching. As a result they have failed to measure the impact that these men had on one of the most important elections in American history. Primary documents, including Wide Awake constitutions, correspondence among members, meeting minutes, and newspapers, reveal a much more substantive and progressive campaign club. Wide Awakes used their torchlight processions and rallies as the medium through which they broadcast their political message. The organization began as a local club in Hartford and through a combination of good timing and some very savvy political minds grew into a national movement. The Wide Awakes quickly spread all across the North and even attempted to rally in Missouri and Baltimore. They provided a sense of excitement and belonging to hundreds of firstO time voters and recent Know-Nothing converts. Their presence helped to spread the Republican message and assured voters they could trust Abraham Lincoln, and their efforts were among the important reasons he was elected the sixteenth President of the United States. This thesis explores the Wide Awake organization by comparing it to other volunteer and campaign clubs of the 1850s, as well as establishing what differentiated the Republican club from other campaign clubs of the nineteenth century'. This thesis is the first comprehensive examination of the organization. |
