If there were no The Wide Awakes, there wouldn't be President Lincoln. And if there were no President Lincoln, we would be looking at a different America today.
This is an exciting story about the idea & movement during Lincoln time. An idea that that has changed America forever. An idea that put Lincoln in the history books.
The Wide Awakes
Creating a movement today is nothing like making a movement 160 years ago. In 1860 there was no TV, social media, radio, internet, celebrities, or smartphones. Only a telegraph and local newspapers with limited reach. Against all odds, The Wide Awakes became a powerful force amongst the youth. It spread across Northern America in less than a year. The movement reached a critical mass that was big enough to influence politics. Big enough to put an outsider Abraham Lincoln at the forefront of the Republican Party. Big enough to ensure Abraham Lincoln's landslide victory in the presidential election.
It started as a simple idea and mission. Get Abraham Lincoln into the White House and put a stop to slavery once and for all.
As much as we are disgusted with the idea of slavery, back then, it was a norm. This was true in the southern states but not practiced in the north. Yet, the divide between the Democratic and Republican parties on the topic of slavery was huge. Some of the democrats in the north saw slavery as part of the constitution.
The incident during Cassius Clay's speech in Hartford, Connecticut, was the spark for the movement. The young people with strong convictions lay the groundwork. Henry Sperry was only 23 years old. James Chaker, the first captain of the movement, was in his twenties.
What amazed me is how a group of twenty-year-olds changed history. A small group of young inspired northern nobodies launched a nationwide movement. With no idea of how to do it but a firm conviction. What united them was a stand against slavery. And they were ready to do whatever it took to fight against it.
In a short period, they had a chapter in every major city in North America. They had their logo, symbols, uniforms, torches, rules, marches, banners, pamphlets. Even today's marketers wouldn't be able to do a better job than what those young people have done back then.
Imagine being in New York in 1860. Out of nowhere, you see a crowd of young people marching in the night. All dressed the same, each carrying a torch. You know that something is about to happen. And every young man wanted to be part of that change.
There were many clubs and movements at that time. Still, no one came close to The Wide Awakes. The way they appealed and managed to mobilize young people. The way they used pseudo-military tactics sets them apart.
Conviction is more important than knowledge
The same rules from 1860 are relevant even 160 years after. If we do something with conviction, we have greater chances of success.
What are those things we are ready to die for? What are the things we are prepared to fight for? In life or business, it doesn't matter.
The Wide Awakes members didn't possess any prior knowledge of making a movement but were so convinced in their ideas. More than 80% of them joined the army immediately to fight once the Civil War started. They were ready to die for what they believed.
We have to thank President Lincoln for his greatness as he has changed America forever. He paid the ultimate price for it. But we also need to praise The Wide Awakes for their role in American history. And exemplary conduct in fighting for their beliefs.
My take is that in today's world, we need more strong convictions than ever before. In the way we live, in the way we consume, in the way we behave.
Not any convictions, though, but convictions rooted in humanity like The Wide Awakes.
Commentaires