Аннотация

Union League of America, unified nation-wide organization since 1863, gave sincere support to Lincoln’s policy to save the Union in the crucial contests at home front (Southern armies’ invasion deep into the lands of Maryland and Pennsylvania, violent draft riots, congressional elections of 1863). Union Clubs of business community and of private citizens in Eastern cities as well as local Union leagues were leading in establishing private home guard units for defense against copperheads’ assaults. They served as unifying forces to hold disparate members together and as vital instruments of fostering popular support for a vigorous prosecution of the war and re-establishing national unity.