The Civil War was the deadliest conflict in American history, with over 750,000 lives lost. While people often talk about the generals and battles, the important role of Black soldiers and the Black community is sometimes forgotten. This article will show how Black Americans made a big difference during this crucial time in history.
The main cause of the Civil War was slavery. Some people say it was about states’ rights or money, but the truth is that southern states left the Union to keep slavery alive. For example, Mississippi said its position was “thoroughly identified with the institution of slavery,” and Texas believed that the African race was inferior. The vice-president of the Confederacy, Alexander Stephens, even said slavery was the “immediate cause” of the war.
On the other hand, the Union army fought to keep the country together. At first, they didn’t focus on freeing enslaved people, but the issue of slavery was always present in their decisions and battles.
When the war started in April 1861, many Black Americans wanted to join the Union army, but a law from 1792 stopped them from serving. Even though Black people had fought in earlier wars, President Lincoln’s administration was worried that recruiting Black soldiers would upset border states that still had slavery. Many people also wrongly believed that Black soldiers wouldn’t be capable.
Despite these challenges, many Black men and women formed their own groups to fight for freedom. Some even joined military units in the South, but these were often shut down by the government.
As the war went on and the Union needed more soldiers, President Lincoln’s views on Black soldiers changed. Influenced by Black abolitionists like Frederick Douglass, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. This document turned the war into a fight against slavery and stopped European countries from helping the Confederacy.
The proclamation allowed the Union Army to recruit Black soldiers, and by the end of the war, over 186,000 Black volunteers had joined, many from slave states. This was a turning point, as Black Americans had been fighting for their freedom long before the war, and now they had new opportunities.
Black women also played important roles during the Civil War, working as nurses, cooks, and caretakers. Harriet Tubman was a famous figure who not only helped enslaved people escape through the Underground Railroad but also worked as a spy for the Union Army. She gathered information on Confederate positions and led a successful raid that freed 750 enslaved individuals without losing a single soldier.
Another key figure was Susie Baker King Taylor, the only Black woman to write a memoir about her experiences in contraband camps. Her book describes her work as a teacher and her efforts to educate formerly enslaved people.
By the end of the Civil War, Black soldiers made up about 10% of the Union forces. Their bravery and contributions changed how people viewed Black citizenship in America. Frederick Douglass famously said that once a Black man wore the U.S. Army uniform, he had earned the right to citizenship.
The war officially ended in April 1865, but many Black Americans remained enslaved until June 19, 1865, known as Juneteenth, when they were finally told they were free. The end of the war didn’t mean the end of the fight for Black freedom, which continued in different ways for many years.
The Civil War was a major turning point in American history, not just for the country but also for Black Americans who fought for their freedom and rights. Their contributions, both on and off the battlefield, were crucial to the Union’s victory and the end of slavery. While the war ended, the ongoing struggle for equality and justice for Black Americans was just beginning.
Imagine you are a Black soldier or a notable figure like Harriet Tubman during the Civil War. Write a diary entry describing a day in your life, focusing on your contributions and challenges. Share your entry with the class to discuss the diverse roles Black Americans played during the war.
Participate in a class debate about the causes of the Civil War. Divide into two groups: one arguing that the main cause was slavery and the other focusing on states’ rights or economic reasons. Use evidence from the article to support your arguments and understand the complexities of historical events.
Calculate the percentage of Black soldiers in the Union Army by the end of the Civil War. If there were over 186,000 Black soldiers and the total Union forces numbered around 2 million, what percentage did Black soldiers represent? Use the formula: $$text{Percentage} = left(frac{text{Number of Black Soldiers}}{text{Total Union Forces}}right) times 100$$
Create a timeline of key events related to Black Americans during the Civil War, including the Emancipation Proclamation and notable contributions by Black women. Use online tools or poster boards to visually represent these events and present your timeline to the class.
Examine primary sources such as letters, photographs, or memoirs from Black soldiers and civilians during the Civil War. Discuss in groups how these sources provide insight into the experiences and contributions of Black Americans. Reflect on how these documents help us understand history beyond textbooks.
Civil War – A war between groups within the same country, often over political or social issues. – The American Civil War was fought between the Northern states and the Southern states from 1861 to 1865.
Black Americans – People in the United States who are descendants of African slaves or immigrants from Africa. – Black Americans played a crucial role in the Civil Rights Movement, advocating for equal rights and justice.
Slavery – The practice of owning people as property and forcing them to work without pay. – Slavery was a significant issue that led to the American Civil War, as the Northern states opposed it while the Southern states supported it.
Union – The Northern states during the American Civil War that were against the secession of the Southern states. – The Union fought to preserve the United States and end slavery during the Civil War.
Emancipation – The act of freeing someone from slavery or oppression. – The Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, declaring all slaves in Confederate states to be free.
Proclamation – An official public announcement or declaration. – The Emancipation Proclamation was a significant step towards ending slavery in the United States.
Freedom – The state of being free, not under the control or in the power of another. – After the Civil War, many former slaves celebrated their newfound freedom and began to build new lives.
Contributions – Efforts or actions made to help achieve a goal or improve a situation. – The contributions of Black Americans during the Civil War included serving as soldiers and providing support to the Union army.
Citizenship – The status of being a recognized member of a country, with rights and responsibilities. – The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, including former slaves.
Equality – The state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities. – The fight for equality has been a central theme in American history, from the abolition of slavery to the Civil Rights Movement.
