The phrase signifies the follow of politicians referencing the blood shed in the course of the American Civil Warfare to criticize opponents. It was typically utilized by Republicans within the a long time following the struggle to affiliate the Democratic Occasion with the Confederacy and treason. An instance can be a political speaker utilizing emotionally charged rhetoric about Union troopers to sway voters in opposition to a Democratic candidate.
This tactic was vital as a result of it supplied a strong, if typically manipulative, methodology for sustaining political energy. By evoking robust feelings associated to the struggle’s sacrifices, it aimed to safe votes and delegitimize the opposition. Its historic context is rooted within the deep divisions and resentments left by the Civil Warfare, providing a potent weapon within the political area. The advantages, although ethically questionable, included consolidating help inside particular demographics and framing political debates in advantageous phrases.
