African American Women In The Civil War

The American Civil War was a national conflict that desperately divided the nation and brought about dramatic changes to America for years to come. The once powerful country found itself at war with its own people. Differences between the North and the South involving different economies and political beliefs began to develop and became problematic. The idea of slavery in territories also caused more tension that caused several Southern states to secede from the Union and form their own nation known as the Confederate States of America. On April 12th1861, Confederate soldiers attacked the Union at Fort Sumner and the Civil War officially began. The war would continue until May 9th 1865. These four years of war would bring many changes to the

Women who once only worked as housewives were introduced to new fields and opportunities than ever before. The war allowed women to step out of traditional roles and become independent as well as members of the working class. Many women entered new fields and found work in factories and businesses. Others found work in hospitals serving as nurses and doctors who saved lives and witnessed war by serving close to the battlefield. Some women even risked their lives to support the war and the side they supported, by serving in the army illegally posing as men and fighting in key battles while others served as spies. African American women also participated in the war effort serving as spies and other forms of employments. This paper argues that the war created a new image for women to labour outside of the household by examining the jobs and lives of women working and living in the Union and Confederacy during the Civil War. In addition this paper will examine white working women as well as African American women who already worked prior to war but got a chance to earn wages for their work for the first

In the North many women took on a new financial responsibility. “Despite the emphasis before the war on men’s financial responsibilities and breadwinning capabilities, the war increasingly compelled an acknowledgement of women’s economic contribution as men had to surrender certain financial responsibilities.” Many women turned to the government in hopes of finding employment and fair wages to support their families. Women took on various positions throughout the war. Some worked in rural positions producing foods and generating surpluses. New technology such as hay rakes, reapers and harvesters helped increased productivity for women. Women farmers were beneficial to society and ultimately seemed to help Northern economies. “It seems likely that Northern farm women worked harder and intensified their commercial interactions to fill in the economic gaps left by men who had gone to war.” Other women in the North took on jobs as teachers and obtained pay increases due to the need for teachers with the lack of men. The war also created new industries and many females were eager to work. “More than 100,000 new factory, sewing, and arsenal jobs became available to Northern women during the war.” Thousands of women in the North found employment in manufacturing jobs creating different supplies for war. Some women also found work through government jobs. Many females worked