Talk:Tennessee in the American Civil War/GA1

GA Review

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Reviewer: Ed! (talk · contribs) 18:38, 21 January 2019 (UTC)

Will put in some comments for this one. —Ed!^(talk) 18:38, 21 January 2019 (UTC)

GA review (see here for criteria) (see here for this contributor's history of GA reviews)

1. It is reasonably well written:

   Fail

   • The "secret circular" doesn't need to be quoted in full – it's likely a line or two would be plenty describing it. What impact did it have on public opinion? Was it effective? Significant questions with a need for some answers.

2. It is factually accurate and verifiable:

   Fail

   • Substantial portions of the article are unreferenced in large part. I would recommend consulting WP:CITE for some advice on where sourcing is needed. Generally, every graph and detail likely to be challenged. It'd be expected that an article like this could see citations in the hundreds given how broad it is.
   • Quotes, for the most part, even included in the prose, should be sourced as well.
   • The list of notable faces from Tennessee isn't relevant for this page, in fact it might be deserving a page of its own, but the main issue is it's got to be sourced and some text about each person and their contribution should be added.

3. It is broad in its coverage:

   Fail

   • There's a need for historic analysis, a major piece like this one is likely to have attracted study from multiple scholars over time, and their work merits examination.
   • Historic analysis of the role slavery plays on Nashville's economy at the time and sentiment to the secessionism would be needed. There's some talk in the early sections about how the votes went, but why they went that way is essential to know, too.
   • The list of battles is far insufficient to address what the actual events where that took place here. They should be worked into a timeline describing what battles took place where, who held territory over a timeframe, so forth.
   • What was the impact of the war on Tennessee's economy? How did the fighting impact its lands and people? There is a wide range of information like this available which could be included. There are some basic details but many more specifics are needed for this one.
   • What contemporary scholarship exists to show the long-term implications for the war on the state? How do historians view the war as having altered the economy, politics and life in the state? What long-term economic impacts of so many battles?
   • More detail is available in specific cites dealing with the impacts too. Note the Nashville in the Civil War article. What about Memphis and Chattanooga?
   • Talk about the military units raised from this state? Again, should be present in some of the List of Tennessee Confederate Civil War units and List of Tennessee Union Civil War units but should be far more general talking about conditions and quality of troops.

4. It follows the neutral point of view policy:

   Not Yet

   • From the first graph, be careful of weasel words (ie: "Fear of subversion was widespread throughout the state.") it's best to talk in more specific terms about public opinion, for sure.
   • Not nearly the breadth of sources I'd hope for. What was said at the time? What's been said now? How have historical viewpoints changed over time? See WP:RS for some ideas on where you might go looking for more reliable info here.

5. It is stable:

   Not seeing problems here, though this is a subject certain to attract a variety of views.

6. It is illustrated by images, where possible and appropriate:

   The gallery of leaders isn't suitable for a story like this one, probably would be better for photos and images of different parts of the state at the time. Some still survives; Fort Negley for instance remains a popular tourist site.

7. Other:

   This article has some pretty substantial work to go, and based on some of the major concerns, going to Quick Fail it. But will provide some advice and ideas for what kinds of things are necessary to bring it back in the future. Down the road, though, would be very happy to see it come back once these are addressed. Thanks —Ed!^(talk) 19:02, 21 January 2019 (UTC)