What Are The Consequences Of The Civil War

Before the civil war began, African Americans, who were still enslaved, staged an assault on the federal arsenal, led by John Brown, an abolitionist. Although it failed, it was the intent of the slaves to rally an insurrection. The failed violent attempt rallied the slaves in a different way. They successfully held a general strike against the slave owners and became fugitives from slavery and the property of the government. It only took a few months of the general strike to force Abraham Lincoln 's hand. He declared the slaves war supplies that would not be returned to their owners but would use them to support the confederate military. Approximately a year later, the Union made emancipation a tool in the fight to overthrow the rebellion. …show more content…
At the onset of the war, African American men were prohibited from enlisting in the Union Army. Even though they wanted to enlist, a federal law dating back to 1792 forbid their enlistment. President Lincoln was concerned that if he authorized their enlistment, the Border States would break away from the Union. In 1862, the Emancipation Proclamation opened the door for black recruitment in the Union Army (African, …show more content…
The Proclamation did not apply to states loyal to the Union, i.e. Texas. The Emancipation Proclamation became official in the border state of Texas on June 19, 1866 with the announcement of General Order Number 3. The authorities advised the newly freedmen to remain quietly in their homes and to continue to work as they had been working. They were advised not to go the military posts and hang out or seek shelter or food there because it would not be granted to them. This news freed 250,000 slaves in Texas and on June 19, 1866, the celebration began for African American known as Juneteenth. As African Americans migrated from place to place and settled, Juneteenth awareness celebrations increased. Juneteenth is still celebrated today in African American communities (Hamilton, n.d.).
In 1865, the Border States, the northern officers were lecturing the ex-slaves on the responsibilities of freedom according the views expressed by the former slave masters. In belittling speeches, they spoke to the former slaves regarding how to work and behave in their new free societies. The northern officers instructed the African American that they were to settle for less and ask for nothing more in return because if they did ask for more, even a little more, the following year they would receive less of everything