This chapter focuses on the work by examining the roots of the conciliatory policy and its early success. It analyzes the various strains that beset the policy's implementation and critiques the competing explanations for its eventual failure. The pragmatic policy differed from conciliation primarily in that it lacked a coherent strategic purpose. The mild policy, by contrast, sought to coax Southern civilians back to their former allegiance to the United States in order to erode support for the Confederate government and hasten its demise. Increasing pressure for emancipation forms still another explanation for conciliation's abandonment, for assurances regarding slavery were a vital component of the mild policy. The irregular conflict in Missouri formed the crucible in which some Union commanders first adopted what might be called the pragmatic policy. One of the most important elements undercutting conciliation, however, was the fact that Union troops simply never embraced the mild policy.