The 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment was among the first Black regiments to serve in the U.S. Civil War, and some may argue the most noteworthy. It was formed in 1863, directly following the Emancipation Proclamation. Formed by Massachusetts Governor John Andrew and led by Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, the infantry consisted of free African Americans from both the North and South. The regiment was created to prove the capability of African Americans in war, but they faced racism, unequal pay, and unbelief. Nevertheless, the men were recognized for their incredible bravery through major battles like Fort Wagner, which they are still honored and remembered for today. When the Civil War began, thousands of African-American men volunteered to join the fight to prove their patriotism and end slavery. Still, federal law prohibited Blacks from joining a military or army, and several northerners wanted to keep it that way. They believed Whites were superior to the African race and should not have to fight alongside them. Furthermore, they thought Blacks would not make good soldiers as they were cowardly and subordinate. On the contrary, many abolitionists believed that formerly enslaved and free African Americans should be allowed to join…
The American Civil War was fought from 1861-1865. It was a turning point for this still young nation. One of the many units that fought for the North was the 54th Massachusetts, a unit of all free black men. The men in this unit were all free when they volunteered to join and fight. Though promised differently, the men of the 54th Massachusetts did not receive the same pay as a white soldier of the same rank. Colonel Robert Gould Shaw and his men were one of the main units in the assault on…
War's first all-black volunteer regiment through the narration of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw (Matthew Broderick). After serving at the Battle of Antietam, Colonel Shaw is offered the command of the first all-African-American regiment. During his leadership, Shaw and the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, are confronted with discrimination from both Confederate soldiers and Union officers. Along with the gravedigger John Rawlins (Morgan Freeman) and escaped slave Trip (Denzel Washington), Shaw…
This battle redeemed the Black soldiers' fighting ability in the eyes of White skeptics, including General Strong, who commanded the 54th Regiment to lead the assault on Fort Wagner, scheduled for July 18. Strategically, a successful attack on Fort Wagner would allow Union forces to seize control of Charleston Harbor. Located on Morris Island, Fort Wagner protected Battery Gregg overlooking Fort Sumter. This means that capturing Fort Wagner was valuable because it enabled the Union to shell…
adopted it covers up all differences of class and country.” This quotation means that the uniform the men wear for battle symbolizes union and brotherhood no matter what race and culture, during war all men are equal. This quotation relates to the movie “Glory” because it shows how the American Civil War created a union between two different races. The movie “Glory” it is about a union of men who sacrificed there life for the Union Army during the American Civil War. “Glory” tells a story of the…
that attempts to tell the story of some true American heroes that the majority of the country have probably never heard about, the Massachusetts 54th Regiment. The role that African Americans served in the Civil is frequently forgotten, if not totally overlooked and Glory recreates this real-life regiment with some artistic adaptations. Now approaching 30 years old, the film still resonates well and its messages remain relevant. The film’s title says it all, the story is about the literal glory…
This is no time to fight only with your white hand, and allow your black hand to remain tied,” Douglass had urged. Frederick Douglass, in the film Glory, said that a Negro regiment would restore “pride and dignity to those who have only known degradation,” and so the 54th Massachusetts was born. A film about the first all African-American regiment, the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Glory shows the strong and proud unit of men as they transform to brave warriors and strong leaders.…
In the movie “Glory”, it took place during the American Civil War. It talked about how Colonel Shaw was the one of the first to lead an all African American troop. He was to lead them, and train them to be ready to fight in combat. Even though many didn’t like the idea, Shaw took the initiative forward. He wasn’t judging them for the color of the skin but by the type of skills that they were able to apply in fighting in the Civil War. Throughout the whole movie all of the white officials didn’t…
This movie “glory” tells us the story of the 54th regiment of Massachusetts. This is a big moment in American history because it was one of the first times that colored men where allowed to be soldiers. This movie also shows us how colored soldiers were treated during the civil war. This movie gives us many examples of how different the colored soldiers were treated from the white soldiers. It shows us that even though there was no slavery in the north and colored people were free, there was…
The movie Paths of Glory is an epic saga of a leaders struggle between accomplishing the mission and the welfare of his men. Kirk Douglas plays a Colonel in the French Army during World War One. He is a fierce fighter and has the respect of the men and the Generals as well. The year is 1916. The war has been stuck in a stalemate for the past two years. The gains are measured in feet not miles. There seems to be no end in sight at this point. The movie opens up to General Mireau getting a visit…