Presidential Symposium: Civil War and Immigration
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The Civil War witnessed not just black and white American-born soldiers, but also numerous foreign-born immigrants rallying to preserve the Union, affirming allegiance to their new homeland. President Abraham Lincoln, moved by the war's impact, expanded European immigration to fill military and industrial needs, leading to swift enfranchisement and electoral influence for German and Irish immigrants. The 15th Annual Presidential Symposium: Civil War and Immigration will explore Lincoln's role in shaping immigration policy and how immigrants influenced Civil War dynamics. As migration and citizenship remain contentious issues in modern America, the enduring consequences of these policies, both nationally and in South Florida, will be examined.
Hon. Frank J. Williams, retired Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island, will be moderating the symposium. He'll be joined by panelists Harold Holzer, one of the country's leading authorities on Abraham Lincoln and the political culture of the Civil War era, and Kunal M. Parker, Professor of Law and Dean’s Distinguished Scholar at the University of Miami School of Law. The Presidential Symposium will take place on Saturday, February 24 from 2:00-4:00 p.m., followed by a reception from 4:00-5:30 p.m.
In partnership with Books & Books, Harold Holzer's latest work, "Brought Forth on This Continent," will be available for purchase, alongside related titles by panelists.