Women during the Civil War were forced into life-style changes which they had never dreamed they would have to endure. No one was spared from the devastation of the war, and many lives were changed forever. Women in the south were forced to take on the responsibilities of their husbands, carrying on the daily responsibilities of the farm or plantation. They maintained their homes and families while husbands and sons fought and died for their beliefs. Many women took the advantage of their opinions being heard, and for the first time supported their cause in anyway they could. Whether a woman was the mistress of a plantation or the wife of a yeoman farmer, her life was defined by work. Only a small number of women, those related or married to the South's premier planters escaped the demands of society. Plantation women passed quickly from carefree belles to matrons in charge of children, often overseeing the work of household slaves. Many mistresses, especially those on smaller plantations, did work, taking on tasks seen as too insubstantial for slaves, including making candles, sewing clothes, and preparing certain foods. All of these duties were to be done while preserving the mannerisms their husbands expected (Grander, 3). "After the soldiers left, silence and anxiety fell upon the town like a pall, what should we do next? To be idle was torture" (Confederate, 24) Sara Pryor wrote in her diary. Since women were not allowed to fight in the war they provided clothing, tents, and other supplies for the soldiers who would. Judith McGuire wrote, "Ladies assemble daily, by hundreds, at the various churches, for the purpose of sewing for the soldiers" (Confederate, 25). Many women were excited by the idea of being able to suppor... ... middle of paper ... ...n Provost, Twenty-First Century Books, 1999. Everyday Life During the Civil War: A Guide For Writers, Students and Historians. Michael J. Varhola, F&W Publications, Inc. Ohio, 1999. Grander in Her Daughters Florida's Women during the Civil War. Revels, Tracy J. University Of South Carolina Press, 2004. < http://www.sc.edu/uscpress/2004/3559.html> Rally on The High Ground: The Civil War on The Home front. Faust, Drew Gilpin, National Parks Service, 2001. Valley of the Shadow: Two Communities in the American Civil War. Virginia Center for Digital History, University of Virginia, 1993-2005. < http://valley.vcdh.virginia.edu/govdoc/popcensus.html> West Virginia History: Women of the Tri-State Area during the Civil War. Lady, Claudia Lynn, West Virginia Division of Culture and History, 2005. < http://www.wvculture.org/history/journal_wvh/wvh43-1.html>
Heidler, David Stephen, and Jeanne T. Heidler, eds. Encyclopedia of the American Civil War: a
Engel, Mary Ella. “The Appalachian “Granny”: Testing the Boundaries of Female Power in Late-19th-Century Appalachian Georgia.” Appalachian Journal 37.3/4 (2010): 210-225 Literary Reference Center. Web. 14 Nov. 2013.
McPherson, James M.; The Atlas of the Civil War. Macmillan: 15 Columbus Circle New York, NY. 1994.
The Confederate jobs, wealth, and property (including slaves) were at stake. “Confederates fought for independence, for their property and way of life, for their very survival as a nation” (McPherson, 27). For this reason, dedication for the cause was strong for Confederates. A collection of letters from Civil War soldiers online, alongside with McPherson’s evidence, shows the patriotism and dedication to their nation and slaves. Confederates stood behind each other and were dedicated to having their own nation; one soldier stated, “that if he was killed, it would be while ‘fighting gloriously for the undying principles of Constitutional liberty and self government’” (McPherson, 11). Private Street, while on his death bed, wrote to his wife: "we must never dispair, for death is preferable to a life spent under the gaulling yoke of abolition rule" (Street, 1862). The reasons that fueled Confederate soldiers were the very practices that they strived on in everyday life; these soldiers naturally had dedication, but patriotism towards their nation and brotherhood is universal between the letters presented, and helped unify the Confederacy.
Volo, Dorothy Denneen, and James M. Volo. Daily Life in Civil War America. Westport, Conn.:
Foote, Shelby. The Civil War: A Narrative. Vol. 3, Red River to Appomattox. New York: Random House, 1974. ISBN 0-394-74913-8.
They were considered no use to the society, because they were labeled as being weak. They wanted to be privileged with the same roles as the men did, such as fighting in a battle. The Civil War gave the women an opportunity to do something about their wants. They took action by disguising themselves as men, so they would be able to attend the war. The woman began to take part in other battles that occurred as well. Many of them were able to get away with the scam for a while, until they ended up dead or injured. Those who did not want to join forces and fight still managed to participate in the war in several other ways, like supplying them with things they needed. They decided to take control over things such as teaching jobs, industries, slaves, and family farms and businesses. Women from the North and the South volunteered as nurses during the
Book Title: The American Civil War: A Handbook of Literature and Research. Contributors: Robin Higham - editor, Steven E. Woodworth - editor. Publisher: Greenwood Press. Place of Publication: Westport, CT. Publication Year: 1996
During the Civil War popular clothing items for woman were hoop skirts, shawls, hats, handkerchiefs, a locket, and small paper fans. These may just seem like items of clothing randomly chosen, but many of these were worn for a number of reasons. For example woman wore shawls to keep warm in drafty houses, hats were a representation of how wealthy you were, handkerchiefs for men and woman were carried or worn because paper tissues had not yet been invented, and fans were carried for woman who often got overheated from the many layers of clothes worn.
Perman Michael, Amy Murrell Taylor. Major Problems in the Civil War and Reconstruction. Boston: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning, 2011.
When all the men were across the ocean fighting a war for world peace, the home front soon found itself in a shortage for workers. Before the war, women mostly depended on men for financial support. But with so many gone to battle, women had to go to work to support themselves. With patriotic spirit, women one by one stepped up to do a man's work with little pay, respect or recognition. Labor shortages provided a variety of jobs for women, who became street car conductors, railroad workers, and shipbuilders. Some women took over the farms, monitoring the crops and harvesting and taking care of livestock. Women, who had young children with nobody to help them, did what they could do to help too. They made such things for the soldiers overseas, such as flannel shirts, socks and scarves.
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.
Catton, Bruce. The American Heritage New History of The Civil War. New York New York, Penguin Group Penguin Books USA Inc. 1988
However, some even worked in the camps with the soldiers, doing laundry and cooking, sewing and providing moral support. "Their [the women's] lack of presence on the battlefield has often been mistaken as their absence from all avenues of the war effort." (Women and the American Civil War) Even though the women weren't physically in the war, they provided clothing, food, medicine, care, and moral support. Despite their absence on the battlefield, they aided the war critically. By offering these provisions, they aided in the survival of the soldiers. Women in the north would organize Aid Groups that would help raise money for the war. Women in the south provided more medical care, due to the fact that the war was at their doorsteps. Women also took over the positions that men left open when they went to join the war. They took over factory positions, and they developed political standings. Women made giants leaps toward becoming more equal and proving they were capable of the same occupations as men. "Prior to the war, the occupation of women was mainly confined to domestic affairs, and to a limited participation in the work of education." (Benton) The war was not only revolutionary in ending slavery, it also aided the opportunities women were able to
Women were not only separated by class, but also by their gender. No woman was equal to a man and didn’t matter how rich or poor they were. They were not equal to men. Women couldn’t vote own business or property and were not allowed to have custody of their children unless they had permission from their husband first. Women’s roles changed instantly because of the war. They had to pick up all the jobs that the men had no choice but to leave behind. They were expected to work and take care of their homes and children as well. Working outside the home was a challenge for these women even though the women probably appreciated being able to provide for their families. “They faced shortages of basic goods, lack of childcare and medical care, little training, and resistance from men who felt they should stay home.” (p 434)