Benjamin Franklin Wade, radical Republican from Ohio

H. L. Trefousse

• Publisher: Bonhopai Books
• Year: 2025
• eBook ISBN: 9781779790545
• Edition: 0
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: Military & Maritime History
• Index: History

H. L. Trefousse's Benjamin Franklin Wade: Radical Republican from Ohio is a compelling biography of one of the most influential yet often overlooked figures of the Civil War and Reconstruction era. A fierce advocate for abolition, civil rights, and congressional supremacy, Wade played a crucial role in shaping the nation's postwar policies.

 

As a leading Radical Republican, Wade championed emancipation and fought tirelessly for the rights of formerly enslaved people. He was a staunch opponent of President Andrew Johnson, co-authoring the Wade-Davis Bill and later serving as president pro tempore of the Senate. His unyielding support for impeachment put him within reach of the presidency during Johnson's trial, highlighting his prominence in national politics.

 

Trefousse explores Wade's fiery rhetoric, unwavering principles, and contentious relationships with fellow politicians. He examines Wade's impact on Reconstruction, his advocacy for women's suffrage, and his deep commitment to egalitarian ideals. Drawing on extensive research, the book presents a nuanced portrait of a man whose radicalism helped shape modern America.

 

 This biography is essential reading for those interested in Civil War politics, Reconstruction, and the enduring struggle for equality. 

Table of contents

• Title page
• TABLE OF CONTENTS
• DEDICATION
• Foreword
• Acknowledgments
• ONE — Son of the Puritans
• TWO — Portent of Things to Come
• THREE — Standing Fast
• FOUR — Practical Radical
• FIVE — Election to the U.S. Senate
• SIX — The New Senator from Ohio
• SEVEN — Emergence of a Republican Leader
• EIGHT — The Conscience of the Republican Party
• NINE — The Campaign of 1860
• TEN — No Compromise!
• ELEVEN — A Radical at War
• TWELVE — “The Army Must Move”
• THIRTEEN — McClellan’s Ruin
• FOURTEEN — Success on the Home Front
• FIFTEEN — Routing the Conservatives
• SIXTEEN — Sustaining the Nation’s Will to Fight
• SEVENTEEN — Re-establishment of the Joint Committee
• EIGHTEEN — Wade’s Greatest Blunder
• NINETEEN — The Last Struggles with Lincoln
• TWENTY — Failure of an Old Friend
• TWENTY-ONE — The Fight Against the President Begins
• TWENTY-TWO — A Radical Overreaches Himself
• TWENTY-THREE — The Impeachment of Johnson
• TWENTY-FOUR — One Vote
• TWENTY-FIVE — Return to Ohio
• Bibliography