1855–56 Speaker of the United States House of Representatives electionFrom December 3, 1855, to February 2, 1856, the incoming House of Representatives held an election for speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. After one hundred and thirty-two inconclusive ballots, Nathaniel Prentiss Banks of Massachusetts was elected over William Aiken Jr. of South Carolina pursuant to a temporary rule permitting a candidate to be elected with a plurality of the vote.
Republican Party (United States)Political partyThe Republican Party, also known as the Grand Old Party (GOP), is a right-wing populist and neo-nationalist political party in the United States, sitting on the right-wing to far-right of the political spectrum. Founded in 1854, it emerged as the main rival of the Democratic Party in the 1850s, and the two parties have dominated American politics since then.
Abraham LincolnPresident of the United States from 1861 to 1865Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865) was the 16th president of the United States, from 1861 until his assassination in 1865. He led the United States through the American Civil War, defeating the Confederacy and playing a major role in the abolition of slavery. Born in a one-room log cabin in Kentucky, Lincoln was raised on the frontier.
Speaker of the United States House of RepresentativesPresiding officer of the United States House of RepresentativesThe speaker of the United States House of Representatives, commonly known as the speaker of the House or House speaker, is the presiding officer of the United States House of Representatives, the lower chamber of the United States Congress. The office was established in 1789 by Article I, Section II, of the U.S. Constitution.
Democratic Party (United States)Political partyThe Democratic Party is a liberal political party in the United States, sitting on the center to center-left of the political spectrum. Founded in 1828, it is the world's oldest active political party. Its main rival is the Republican Party, and since the 1850s, both have dominated American politics. The Democratic Party initially supported Jacksonian democracy, agrarianism, and geographical expansionism, while opposing a national bank and high tariffs.
Governor of MassachusettsThe governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is the head of government of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The governor is the head of the state cabinet and the commander-in-chief of the commonwealth's military forces. Massachusetts has a republican system of government that is akin to a presidential system. The governor acts as the head of government while having a distinct role from that of the legislative branch.
Union armyDuring the American Civil War, the United States Army, the land force that fought to preserve the collective Union of the states, was often referred to as the Union army, Federal army, or Northern army. It proved essential to the restoration and preservation of the United States as a working, viable republic.
Political generalHigh-ranking military official appointed for reasons other than strategic acumen A political general is a general officer or other military leader without significant military experience who is given a high position in command for political reasons, through political connections, or to appease certain political blocs and factions.
34th United States CongressThe 34th United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C., from March 4, 1855, to March 4, 1857, during the last two years of Franklin Pierce's presidency. The apportionment of seats in the House of Representatives was based on the 1850 United States census.
United States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is a chamber of the bicameral United States Congress; it is the lower house, with the United States Senate being the upper house. Together, the House and Senate have the authority under Article One of the Constitution of the United States in enumerated matters to pass or defeat federal legislation, known as bills. Those that are also passed by the Senate are sent to the president for signature or veto.
MassachusettsMassachusetts ( MASS-ə-CHOO-sits, -zits; Massachusett: Muhsachuweesut [məhswatʃəwiːsət]), officially the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is a state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It borders the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Maine to its east, Connecticut and Rhode Island to its south, New Hampshire and Vermont to its north, and New York to its west. Massachusetts is the seventh-smallest state by land area.
American Civil WarBelligerentsUnited StatesConfederate StatesCommanders and leadersAbraham LincolnXUlysses S. GrantAndrew Johnsonand others...Jefferson Davis(POW)Robert E. Leeand others...Strength698,000 at peak2,200,000 total360,000 at peak750,000–1,000,000 totalCasualties and losses110,000+ KIA or DOW230,000+ died from accidents or disease25,000–30,000 died in Confederate prisons365,000+ total dead282,000+ wounded181,193 captured828,000+ total casualties94,000+ KIA or DOW164,000+ died from…*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.