During the time of the Civil War, many American’s lives were turned upside down. This is no different for the minorities of America, such as women, free blacks, slaves, and immigrants. Without the effort of the minorities, the outcome of the Civil War would certainly be very different from what is known today.
Women during the Civil War took on a whole new role. Instead of devoting their lives the keeping the house clean for their husbands and children, they turned their attention to the cause of the war. When the war broke out, women began helping by organizing ladies’ aid societies to supply the Union troops with everything they needed, such as food, clothing, and cash. They organized door-to-door fundraisers, county fairs, and performances …show more content…
In June of 1861, they were granted permission by the government to do so, and nearly 20,000 Union women went to work directly for the soldiers. Many of these women worked as cooks and laundresses. Some 3,000 women worked as nurses, such as Clara Barton, to care for the soldiers and keep them healthy and safe. The same can be said for the women of the Confederacy, as they also provided for their soldiers. These women were considered by many to be “havens in a heartless world.” During and after the Civil War, women began to rethink their “proper place.” Many were inspired to expand their lives and take on new responsibilities outside of their homes. Women wished to take on greater roles in society, and so the women’s rights movement began to gain momentum. Many free African Americans wanted to fight for the union and for the cause of ending slavery. Leaders such as Frederick Douglas highly encouraged free black men to fight in the war to ensure their citizenship and rights later on. Over 179,000 black soldiers fought for the Union army, as well as the navy and other supporting positions. This number includes both free black men from the North and runaway slaves from the …show more content…
These troops were not paid equally and faced discrimination from both the northern and southern soldiers. The units were heavily segregated between white and black soldiers, and many white officers had low expectations of the blacks soldiers and did not train them as well. Black prisoners of war were also treated much worse than white prisoners, as Confederate officers threatened to enslave them. Free black men contributed so much as not only Union soldiers, but also spies, cooks, nurses, and blacksmiths. During the time of the Civil War, slaves were often forced to serve in the army for the Confederacy. Others traveled with their masters and tended to their needs. Most of the slaves that fought for the South were never given any significant roles, as the officers used them as just extra bodies. Only a few servants were given the opportunity to take their master’s place in battle and actually become adopted by the regiment. It is recorded that tens of thousands of slaves unwillingly served in the Confederate army, which is very telling of how oppressed they
Women during the Civil War took on a whole new role. Instead of devoting their lives the keeping the house clean for their husbands and children, they turned their attention to the cause of the war. When the war broke out, women began helping by organizing ladies’ aid societies to supply the Union troops with everything they needed, such as food, clothing, and cash. They organized door-to-door fundraisers, county fairs, and performances …show more content…
In June of 1861, they were granted permission by the government to do so, and nearly 20,000 Union women went to work directly for the soldiers. Many of these women worked as cooks and laundresses. Some 3,000 women worked as nurses, such as Clara Barton, to care for the soldiers and keep them healthy and safe. The same can be said for the women of the Confederacy, as they also provided for their soldiers. These women were considered by many to be “havens in a heartless world.” During and after the Civil War, women began to rethink their “proper place.” Many were inspired to expand their lives and take on new responsibilities outside of their homes. Women wished to take on greater roles in society, and so the women’s rights movement began to gain momentum. Many free African Americans wanted to fight for the union and for the cause of ending slavery. Leaders such as Frederick Douglas highly encouraged free black men to fight in the war to ensure their citizenship and rights later on. Over 179,000 black soldiers fought for the Union army, as well as the navy and other supporting positions. This number includes both free black men from the North and runaway slaves from the …show more content…
These troops were not paid equally and faced discrimination from both the northern and southern soldiers. The units were heavily segregated between white and black soldiers, and many white officers had low expectations of the blacks soldiers and did not train them as well. Black prisoners of war were also treated much worse than white prisoners, as Confederate officers threatened to enslave them. Free black men contributed so much as not only Union soldiers, but also spies, cooks, nurses, and blacksmiths. During the time of the Civil War, slaves were often forced to serve in the army for the Confederacy. Others traveled with their masters and tended to their needs. Most of the slaves that fought for the South were never given any significant roles, as the officers used them as just extra bodies. Only a few servants were given the opportunity to take their master’s place in battle and actually become adopted by the regiment. It is recorded that tens of thousands of slaves unwillingly served in the Confederate army, which is very telling of how oppressed they