Peer influence on West Point cadets' Civil War allegiances
Yuchen Guo1,2, Matthew O Jackson3,4, Ruixue Jia5,6,7
1Department of Economics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Summary
Peer influence significantly shaped Civil War army allegiances among West Point cadets. Cadets from slave states were more likely to join the Union Army when surrounded by peers from free states.
Area of Science:
- Sociology
- American History
- Behavioral Economics
Background:
- Social networks and peer influence can impact significant life decisions, particularly in politically polarized environments.
- Understanding these dynamics is crucial for historical and social analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the extent to which peer influence affected the allegiances of West Point cadets during the American Civil War.
- To analyze how the proportion of cadets from Free States influenced the decisions of cadets from Slave States regarding army enlistment.
Main Methods:
- Utilized quasi-random variations in the proportion of cadets from Free States.
- Analyzed cadet decisions on army allegiance based on peer group composition.
- Examined geographical variations and individual characteristics like slave ownership.
Main Results:
- A significant peer effect was observed: a higher proportion of Free State classmates increased the likelihood of Slave State cadets joining the Union Army.
- Peer influence varied with geographical factors, including slave population share, and cadets' own slave ownership.
- Shared experiences like military service in the Mexican-American War amplified peer effects, indicating the importance of sustained interaction.
Conclusions:
- Peer networks played a substantial role in shaping individual decisions during the polarized American Civil War.
- Sustained interaction and shared experiences strengthen peer influence on major life choices.
- The study highlights the interplay between social structures, individual background, and historical events.
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