Copperheads

Archival Summary & Scope

Jennifer L. Weber's *Copperheads* offers the first comprehensive portrait in nearly half a century of the anti-war Democrats who fueled fierce dissent on the Northern home front during the Civil War. Nicknamed "Copperheads," this powerful faction nearly derailed Lincoln's presidency, advocating for states' rights and civil liberties while virulently opposing his moves toward emancipation and his constitutional interpretations, including the suspension of habeas corpus. Weber reveals how their actions plunged Northern communities into turmoil and violence, and how the decisive backing of Union soldiers ultimately secured Lincoln's re-election despite this intense "fire in the rear." This gripping history provides fresh insights into a pivotal, divided era.