The most zealous antislavery advocates in Congress…

The most zealous antislavery advocates in Congress are frustrated at the poor showing of the Union Army and the lack of progress toward emancipation.

Known as the Radical Republicans, they form the Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War in December 1861.

The Radicals agitate for the dismissal of General McClellan, and they favor the enlistment of African-American troops.

Angry at Lincoln for his reluctance to move toward speedy abolition, they will break with him completely over Reconstruction policy.