During the mid-1800s, separation in America between the North and the South became prevalent, especially over the idea of slavery, which eventually led to the Civil War. Women did not have much power during this time period, but under the stress and shortages of the War, they became necessary to help in fighting on and off the battlefields, such as by becoming nurses, spies, soldiers, and abolitionists (Brown). Many women gave so much assistance and guidance, that they made lasting impacts on the War in favor of who they were fighting for. Three inspiring and determined women who made huge impacts on contributing to the American Civil War are Rose O’Neal Greenhow, who worked as a spy for the Confederacy leading to multiple victories, Clara Barton, who worked as a nurse, a soldier, and formed the American Red Cross to continue saving lives, and Harriet Tubman, who conducted the Underground Railroad sending slaves to freedom, which enabled them and their actions to be remembered forever (Brown).
Rose O’Neal Greenhow was born in Port Tobbaco, Maryland in 1817, and existed to be a prominent leading woman figure during the American Civil War. At a very young age, she moved to Washington, D.C. at her Aunt’s boardinghouse along with her sister, leaving behind her family’s farm in Maryland (Faust). There she became a social butterfly, who constantly kept busy by surrounding herself with people, especially those in power (Leonard). At age 26, she married Dr. Robert Greenhow, who was 43 years old at the time, and together they had four children (Faust). As a unit, they traveled west to try and find more financial opportunities. On the journey, Mr. Greenhow died, so Rose O’Neal Greenhow returned to Washington, D.C., along with a d...
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Thousands of lives would have not been lost if Clare Barton did not play the role she did in the Civil War. Clara Barton was an influential leader during the Civil War due to her childhood experiences, decisions she made during the war, and the legacy she left behind after the war.
Prior to the Civil War, the South was a society based on strict racial and gender hierarchies. Seemingly, elite southern women did not advocate for social and political change because they were content not to disrupt the gender hierarchy of their society. Their subordinacy to elite southern men and their society's view of ladylike characteristics was central to how southern women defined themselves. In order to advocate for change, elite southern women would have had to become unladylike and willing to give up a lifestyle that made them comfortable. Ultimately, since these women were not comfortable changing or giving up their lifestyle, most did nothing to aid social and political change.
Women played an important role throughout American history. They were known in the Civil War to be doing various acts. Women had enlisted in the army as soldiers, spied and gathered information about the enemy, took care of wounded soldiers, traveled and helped within the military camps and even took over their husbands’ businesses. There were many things that they did to contribute to the war just as much as the men did. Even though it was dangerous they still helped whether it was on the battlefield, in a hospital, or at home, they still tried to help out the best they could.
Barry offers this biography of perhaps the most unconventional woman of her century. By drawing upon letters, diaries, and other documents, she integrates Anthony's personal story into the political, economic, and cultural milieu of 19th century.
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The Most Influential Woman of the Past Millenium: Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Mary Wollstonecraft, and Rosa Parks
When the American Civil War began on April 12th, 1861, over 3 million Union and Confederate soldiers prepared for battle. Men from all over America were called upon to support their side in the confrontation. While their battles are well documented and historically analyzed for over a hundred years, there is one aspect, one dark spot missing from the picture: the role of women in the American Civil War. From staying at home to take care of the children to disguising themselves as men to fight on the battlefield, women contributed in many ways to the war effort on both sides. Though very few women are recognized for their vital contributions, even fewer are.
Sherna B. Gluck, Rosie the Riveter Revisited: Women, the War, and Social Change, (Boston, Twayne Publishers) p. 137
Harriet Tubman was one of the most influential women in the Civil War. She was the owner of many titles during that time, including the one “Moses,” which compared her to Moses from the Bible. Both Moses and Tubman were known for saving and rescuing many people. Tubman is credited with rescuing about 300 slaves from the South during the Civil War. She continued to return back to the South, in order to bring more slaves to freedom in the North. Harriet Tubman had a harsh childhood due to slavery, a dangerous career freeing slaves, and received many awards and accomplished tremendous things.
...ter the American Revolution, was one of the most serious bad economic days, and in order to help her family’s money, Deborah became the first female lecturer. She went to places like Providence, Rhode Island, New York, and many cities as the title of “The American Heroine.” She began her lectures dressed as a woman and then later went into her uniform and showed a soldier’s routine to fight. Then she did that for about 5 years then she got a job as a teacher again. Sampson was a teacher until she retired then she got even more sick because of her injures she sustained during war she had to get pills and go to doctors to get better. With the success of her tour Deborah refreshed her campaign she also gained the support of Paul Revere, he went to her farm in 1804 then he wrote a letter to the Congress.
Many people do not know what Harriet Tubman’s greatest achievement was. Harriet Tubman was born in Dorchester County, Maryland around 1822. When she was born she was first named Araminta Ross and was like every other African-American, born into slavery. In 1844 Araminta married a free black man named John Tubman and later changed her name to Harriet Tubman, her first name from her mother and her last name from her husband. Five years later Harriet’s master died which gave Harriet a decision, she could be free or dead. Harriet decided to run, this decision had led herself down a dangerous path. However, Harriet had chosen to help other slaves, by doing so she had accomplished various achievements, but which one was her greatest? During Harriet’s lifetime, she had worked as a nurse, she had created the underground railroad, and had worked as a spy freeing many slaves.
John A. Kirk, History Toady volume 52 issue 2, The Long Road to Equality for African-Americans
Ed. George McMichael. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2000. 697-771. Davis, Sara de Saussure, p. 84.
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