The Civil War was by far the United States of America’s bloodiest war, stretching from 1861 to 1865 and having more casualties than World War I and World War II combined. While the causes of the Civil War are complex and numerous, the issue of slavery versus non-slavery was the central cause. The northern states were fighting for African American freedom, while the southern states were fighting to upkeep the tradition of slaves. In wars like this, where people are trying to bring about social change, there are always numerous key figures who advocate for the cause. One of these extremely essential and influential figures of the Civil War was Sojourner Truth.
Sojourner was born sometime in 1797 in Rifton, New York to Elizabeth and James Bomefree, …show more content…
In 1843, she legally changed her name to Sojourner Truth, as she believed her life’s purpose “was to travel up and down the land, showing the people their sins, and being a sign unto them” (Historic World Leaders). During her travels, she met people who were actively involved in the abolitionist movement and made it her new life’s mission to help free her people. When the war broke out in 1861, she was already well-known as “an electrifying public orator” and one of the most popular speakers for the abolitionist cause (Humanitarians and Reformers). At the beginning of the war, she helped gather supplies for the black volunteer regiments. Throughout the war, she traveled around the country, giving speeches in 22 different states (Encyclopaedia Britannica). She was such a powerful influence in the war, Abraham Lincoln requested to meet her. The quality that makes Sojourner most unique is that, while there were an endless amount of black abolitionist speakers who gave speech after speech to other black abolitionists, she was one of the few black abolitionists who spoke almost solely to …show more content…
All of her hard work- her speeches, her travels, her time and dedication- made a difference on the outcome of the war. While the Civil War abolishing slavery was an amazing step in the right direction, it was only the first step in an extremely long journey to equality for African Americans. While African Americans now had the right to vote, they would still have many years of racism to endure before the majority of the United States came around to the idea of equality. Nonetheless, a single step in the right direction is still a
Sojourner was born sometime in 1797 in Rifton, New York to Elizabeth and James Bomefree, …show more content…
In 1843, she legally changed her name to Sojourner Truth, as she believed her life’s purpose “was to travel up and down the land, showing the people their sins, and being a sign unto them” (Historic World Leaders). During her travels, she met people who were actively involved in the abolitionist movement and made it her new life’s mission to help free her people. When the war broke out in 1861, she was already well-known as “an electrifying public orator” and one of the most popular speakers for the abolitionist cause (Humanitarians and Reformers). At the beginning of the war, she helped gather supplies for the black volunteer regiments. Throughout the war, she traveled around the country, giving speeches in 22 different states (Encyclopaedia Britannica). She was such a powerful influence in the war, Abraham Lincoln requested to meet her. The quality that makes Sojourner most unique is that, while there were an endless amount of black abolitionist speakers who gave speech after speech to other black abolitionists, she was one of the few black abolitionists who spoke almost solely to …show more content…
All of her hard work- her speeches, her travels, her time and dedication- made a difference on the outcome of the war. While the Civil War abolishing slavery was an amazing step in the right direction, it was only the first step in an extremely long journey to equality for African Americans. While African Americans now had the right to vote, they would still have many years of racism to endure before the majority of the United States came around to the idea of equality. Nonetheless, a single step in the right direction is still a