African Americans in The Civil War
explanatory Essay
670 words
African Americans were very questionable at first in the Civil War. The Union Navy had been already been accepting African American volunteers. Frederick Douglass thought that the military would help the African Americans have equal rights if they fought with them. Many children helped in the Civil War also, no matter how old they were. Because the African Americans were unfavorable, black units were not used in combat as they might have been. Nevertheless, the African Americans fought in numerous battles. African Americans fought gallantly. Northern leaders also saw another reason to have African Americans in the Civil War is that the Union needed soldiers. Congress aloud them to enlist them because they thought they might as well have more soldiers. By the Spring of 1863, African Americans were fighting in many wars. They were a very big help to the Union. About 10 percent of the Union's navy was African Americans. There were estimated about 190,000 African Americans fought in the Civil War. Estimated about 38,000 of them died. Many of them believing that if they fought with the Union or Confederate, they would become equal to the white's. Even some of the African Americans were treated better than some of the white's. The reason why some of the African Americans were treated better than some of the white's was because if a white soldier didn't do his job or didn't follow orders, they would put a African American in their place, of course if that African American had followed orders in the past. There were many important battles the African Americans fought in and they really helped humongously. Some of these important battles were like the assault on Fort Wagner, South Carolina by the 54th Massachusetts ... ... middle of paper ... ... were a big help to the Civil War. Of the 190,000 were in the Civil War, an amazing 16 of them got the Medal of Honor, fourteen received the honor as a result of their actions at New Market Heights. The Union won the Civil War and after the Civil War, the African Americans got their freedom. Even though this may be known as the bloodiest battles of the U.S., it got the African Americans its freedom and the U.S. to remember how they got it. Works Cited www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/history/aa_history.htm www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4narr5.html www.hist.unt.edu/web_resources_mil/am_civil_war1.htm www.712educators.about.com/library/graphics/afam5.jpg www.hsp.org/files/hsp1_campwmpenn.jpg www.arcweb.sos.state.or.us/exhibits/1857/images/after/flag.jpg www.larose.com/upimages/Union_Flag.JPG www.remote-dba.net/images/american%20flag%20picture.jpg
In this essay, the author
- Explains that african americans were questionable at first in the civil war. frederick douglass thought that the military would help them have equal rights if they fought with them.
- Explains that african americans were a big help to the union. they fought in many wars and were treated better than white soldiers.
- Explains that african americans fought in many important battles, including the assault on fort wagner, south carolina by the 54th massachusetts, and the battle at port hudson, louisiana.
- Explains that black soldiers proved reliable hard fighting soldiers, but discrimination in pay and other areas remained wide-spread.
- Opines that even though the african americans were a big help to the civil war, they were still treated like slaves.
- Recounts how confederate general nathan bedford forrest led 2,500 men against the union at fort pillow, tennessee, on april 12, 1864. many who died were high and only sixty-two of the u.s.
- Explains that african americans were a big help to the civil war, and 16 of them got the medal of honor.
- Explains that the union won the civil war and the african americans got their freedom after the war.
- Describes the sources of information for this article: http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/historic/aa_history.htm.
Related
- analytical
- explanatory
- On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing the slaves in the rebelling territories of the confederacy and authorizing Black enlistment in the Union Army. Since the beginning of the Civil War, free Black people in general, , were ready to fight on behalf of the Union, yet they were prevented from doing so. Popular racial stereotypes and discrimination against Blacks in the military contributed to the prevailing myth that Black men did not have the intelligence and bravery necessary to serve their country. By the fall of 1862, however, the lack of White Union enlistment and confederate victories at Antietem forced the U.S. government to reconsider its racist policy. As Congress met in October to address the issue of Black enlistment, various troops of Black volunteers had already been organized, including the First South Carolina and the Kansas Colored Troops. It wasn't until January 26, 1863, however, that secretary of war Edwin Stanton authorized the enlistment of Black troops. As a result, the 54th Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer infantry was founded, becoming the first all-Black Union regiment raised in the north.(Emilio 1990)
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the lack of white union enlistment and confederate victories at antietem forced the u.s. government to reconsider its racist policy.
- Explains that black volunteers were trained at camp meigs in readville, ma on february 21, 1863. the fear of white officers was calmed when massachusetts governor john andrew appointed robert gould shaw as colonel and george p. hallowell as lieutenant.
- Narrates how shaw became colonel at camp meigs, where he and his officers worked with black soldiers whose bravery changed public perception of black military skills.
- Describes how the 54th regiment inspired boston's black community and provided pride for abolitionists across the country.
- Explains that the 54th regiment resolved the conflict over black enlistment in the union army, but the struggle of black soldiers to gain respect was just beginning.
- Explains how the 54th regiment fought alongside white soldiers of the 10th connecticut infantry in a skirmish on james island, sc. fort wagner protected battery gregg overlooking fort sumter.
- Describes how colonel shaw, accompanied by dying men, managed to reach the top of the parapet where a bitter hand-to-hand combat ensued, with the black union soldiers with bayonets against the white confederate soldiers.
- Narrates the story of sargent william h. carney, the first black man to receive the congressional medal of honor in 1900.
- Explains that the battle of fort wagner and the bravery of sgt. william h. carney were uncompromising testimony to the capability and nobility of black soldiers.
- Analyzes how the discrimination in pay led to anger and disappointment both by the soldiers and by gov. andrew, who had promised the men equal treatment if they enlisted in the 54th regiment.
- Explains that massachusetts senator wilson introduced a joint resolution to congress that would equalize pay for black soldiers.
- Explains that the 54th massachusetts regiment, their white officers, colonel, and allies, struck a blow for american freedom and unity and proved to the nation and the world the bravery and devotion of african-american soldiers.
- Opines that the story of the "fighting fifty-forth" is a true testament of how when the country is in war or despair they can ban together as one,regardless of race to achieve an objective.
- Explains that duncan, russell, ed., blue-eyed child of fortune: the civil war letters of colonel robert gould shaw.
- Explains emilio, luis f., a brave black regiment: history of the fifty-fourth regimental of massachusetts volunteer infantry, 1863-1865.
- Explains glathaar, joseph t., forged in battle: the civil war alliance of black soldiers and white officers.
2301 wordsRead More - The Importance of Black Soldiers in the Civil Warexplanatory essayThe American Civil War is perhaps the most important event in U.S. history since the American Revolution. Over half a million men would perish between the Union and Confederate Armies. It is important to know that Ulysses S. Grant was an important figure (perhaps the most important behind Abraham Lincoln) in the war. Many will see him as the hero of the American Civil War. Nevertheless there were others who would play an important role to help the Union win the Civil War. The implementation of black soldiers was crucial to the Union in order to achieve victory against the Confederate Army. Yet, the contributions and accomplishments of black soldiers during the Civil War were overlooked for nearly a century following the Civil War. However, within the last 30 years, many scholars and historians have begun to publish books on the history of black soldiers and their contributions to the Civil War. During the Civil War, free blacks were permitted to serve in the Union Army. But it was not until 1863, that black soldiers would see combat and charge against the confederate armies. It is estimated that around 186,000 African American served the Union Army throughout the war, with the creation of 163 colored regiments. My research paper will focus on the Black regiments of the American Civil War and their importance to U.S. history. Some of the important issues that will be discussed in this paper will include the struggles of black soldiers during the Civil War, from their wage earnings (where most made less money than white soldiers); the clothes they wore (most had no uniforms at all). Also, many of these soldiers had trouble getting the basic necessities like shoes, socks and soap. Other areas I will discuss will be the discriminatio...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the american civil war was the most important event in u.s. history since abraham lincoln. grant was an important figure in the war.
- Explains that the civil war began when fredrick douglas asked president abraham lincoln to create a black regiment of around 10,000 men.
- Explains that many white soldiers were not happy that black soldiers had enlisted to fight alongside them. they were assigned to the most degrading duties and were provided inferior equipment.
- Explains that the first major battle fought by a colored regiment was the battle of at port hudson, louisiana.
- Explains that the 4th colored troop was created on july 15, 1863 in the state of maryland.
- Explains that the struggles for african-american troops continued long after the american civil war ended. black soldiers had to fight for the same pay as white soldiers.
- Concludes that black soldiers and black regiments were critical in achieving victory against the confederate armies and reuniting a nation.
- Explains wilson's study of black bands and black culture in the union army during the civil war.
- Describes brewer, james h., binder, frederick m. and costa, dora l.
- Cites ervin, jordan l., glatthar, joseph t. and hyslop, stephen g.
1732 wordsRead More - The Blacks in the Civil Waranalytical essayThe Blacks in the Civil War For the beginning, in the middle and in the ending of the Civil War in the United States, the Black Americans were central as soldier and civilian. At first, people tried hard to get around this fact. Even President Abraham Lincoln administration sent Black volunteers home with an understanding that the war was a ''White man's war". The policy was eventually changed not because of humanitarianism but because of the Confederation's battlefield brilliance. The South brought the North to a realization that it was in a real brawl that it needed all the weapons it could lay hands on.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the confederation's battlefield brilliance and the south brought the north to a realization that it needed all the weapons
- Describes how the first louisiana native guards became the first black regiment to receive official recognition from the government.
333 wordsRead More - The Negro's Civil War Analysisanalytical essayThe article, “The Negro’s Civil War in Tennessee, 1861-1865” by Bobby L. Lovett, can be found in "The Journal of Negro History. Lovett's article relates the importance of the contributions the black soldiers of Tennessee made during the Civil War. He portraits to the reader the determination of these black Tennesseans fight to gain their freedom under some extremely violent and racial conditions.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how bobby l. lovett's article, "the negro’s civil war in tennessee, 1861-1865," relates the importance of the contributions the black soldiers of tennessee made during the civil war.
- Explains that confederate tennessee's state general assembly in 1861, was the first state to draft black men into military service.
- Analyzes how the white tennesseans believed that the blacks were lazy and stupid beings and they would remain loyal to their masters. the union army was better organized to utilize black manpower.
- Explains how general william sherman enacted his policy of hiring blacks as laborers in 1862. the system allowed the union army to free up its white soldiers for combat.
- Explains that president lincoln called for 200,000 new troops in 1863. these recruits were mostly blacks and most enlisted in tennessee.
- Explains that there was much racial harassment between the whites and blacks, and that one black soldier was hung for trying to create an all-black regiment.
- Analyzes how the confederate cavalry slaughtered 238 of the 262 black soldiers at fort pillow, which intensified their courage, anger, and rage.
- Opines lovett's view that the battle of nashville was the decisive battle of the civil war, but he also points out that other battles, such as the winchester and cedar creek valley campaign, and the battle at saylor’s creek, may also be crucial.
861 wordsRead More - African Americans Soldiers in the Civil Waranalytical essayAfrican Americans Soldiers in the Civil War African Americans helped shape the Civil War from various perspectives. Actually, they were the underlying foundation for the war if you think about it in depth. African Americans were slaves and had been dealt with like property since they arrived in America.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that african americans helped shape the civil war from various perspectives. they were slaves and had been dealt with like property since they arrived in america.
- Analyzes how douglass pressured president lincoln to allow african american men to enroll in the civil war. black soldiers suffered discrimination in pay, clothing allowances, and weaponry, while white nurses refused to treat them.
- Explains that lincoln's views on slavery made the confederacy furious because they knew it would not be long before freedom for blacks became a reality.
- Explains how the union and confederates brought african american troops to the combat zone. the enslaved individuals were blacks from africa.
- Analyzes how people were furious about being compelled to battle to free slaves, who might challenge them for their occupations once they were free. mobs beat, tormented and slaughtered various black individuals for no reason.
- Explains that during the civil war over sixty union steamboats were destroyed by confederate sabotage on the mississippi river and in the surrounding area.
- Explains that one out of every four union sailors was black; they served on union ships as coal heavers, stewards, boatswains, firemen and gunners. the most remarkable of all union spies was a famous black woman named harriet tubman.
- Opines that the civil war is still an enormous piece of history letting us know how blacks had overcome misfortune.
1277 wordsRead More - African Americans and the Militaryexplanatory essaySince even before the United States has been classified as a nation, African Americans have served in armed forces. From a little village militias to the army or sailors, African Americans have stepped up to help defend and eventually earn their own freedom. The battle for unification and for recognition of black soldiers has been a slow undertaking. It wasn't until after World War II that the U.S. armed forces became fully and lawfully unified, under a 1948 executive order by President Harry S. Truman. They were “unified”; meaning that the African American troops could be in the same regiments and squads as the white men. Previously they underwent completely separate training and were assorted to their own regiments. Throughout time many groups of enlisted black men have made up the hammer which broke down the racial barriers which were all too common up until about 45 years ago. All of this had to start somewhere, which leads me to the Revolutionary War.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that african americans have served in armed forces since before the united states was classified as a nation. the battle for unification and recognition of black soldiers has been slow.
- Explains that african-americans served on both sides during the revolution. the british recruited slaves because they promised freedom for them if they aided the british.
- Explains that blacks were virtually eliminated from the small armed forces of the new nation. the navy was too short of personnel to enforce a similar ban.
- Explains that blacks volunteered to serve during the american civil war, which began in 1861. after the war, congress authorized the creation of six segregated black regiments in the peace time army.
- Explains that african americans were putting increased pressure on the government to make conditions more equal for blacks in the armed forces. the government compromised in 1941 by creating the first all-black military aviation program.
603 wordsRead More - Gloryanalytical essayBlack soldiers were among the bravest of those fighting in the Civil War. Both free Blacks in the Union army and escaped slaves from the South rushed to fight for their freedom and they fought with distinction in many major Civil War battles. Many whites thought Blacks could not be soldiers. They were slaves. They were inferior. Many thought that if Blacks could fight in the war it would make them equal to whites and prove the theory of slavery was wrong. Even though Black soldiers had to face much discrimination during the Civil War, they were willing to fight to the death for their freedom. In the movie “Glory“ the director focused on the African Americans in the north that fought in the 54th regiment led by Colonel Robert Gould Shaw. During the time of the Civil War, the African Americans that fought in the 54th regiment were often treated unfairly but there were always nice people that backed them up.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that black soldiers were among the bravest of those fighting in the civil war. they fought with distinction in many major battles.
- Analyzes how the 54th regiment was discriminated against because the soldiers were all different colored skinned and worked as slaves. in "glory," colonel montgomery, the sargent that trained and prepared them for war, and the colonel that was in charge of distributing necessities, acted like all african americans were uneducated.
- Analyzes how the whites showed sentiments towards the african-american soldiers, and there were tensions among them. in the movie, when thomas offered to teach tripp english, he rudely called thomas a black man.
- Explains that while there were racist sentiments towards the african-american soldiers, they also believed that the 54th regiment would accomplish something.
- Opines that the 54th regiment proved themselves to be a significant part of the northern soldiers in the civil war.
883 wordsRead More - Does Freedom Need To Be Won More Than Once Analysisanalytical essayThe African Americans were tired of being slaves, and they wanted their rights back. They won the Civil War and earned their rights, but they were still discriminated against. For example, due to Jim Crow laws, they did not get the same quality transportation that the white people did. Even today, African Americans are being discriminated against by law enforcement and other people who believe that they are plebeians.
In this essay, the author
- Argues that freedom needs to be won with every generation, even though laws ensuring our rights aren't always upheld. the revolutionary war was fought to gain independence from britain, the civil war abolished slavery, and the women's suffrage movement.
- Explains that the revolutionary war was the first instance of americans preserving their freedoms. they were unhappy about how the british were treating them so they fought back.
- Explains that the civil war was fought for equality between race. the african americans were tired of being slaves and wanted their rights back, but they were still discriminated against.
- Opines that the women's suffrage movement challenged the notion of mental and physical inferiority. they campaigned and argued for their rights until eventually the 19th amendment was passed.
- Explains that the united states has been as successful as it has. the government operates on the will of the people, which guarantees that our freedoms are constant, though the definitions may change.
- Argues that our ideas of freedom are constantly evolving, and so must we.
622 wordsRead More - What Role Did African Americans Play In The Civil Waranalytical essayIn the making of the United States of America, many wars have taken place to provide the freedom the country has today. Two important wars include The American Revolution and the American Civil War. Within these wars were many people who fought that are rarely mentioned today, and some were not even recognized during or shortly after the war. Every single one of these people played a role in the development of the country, whether they are acknowledged or not.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that in the making of the united states of america, many wars have taken place to provide the freedom the country has today.
- Explains that the american revolutionary war was a well-known war in which the americans won their freedom from britain. many people helped in the war, and many were not recognized.
- Opines that native americans in the revolutionary war aided not only the colonists, but the british as well. they did not know what to think when new people came to their land.
- Explains that african americans were brought to the americas as slaves. they took this situation as an opportunity to fight and be treated as equals, and earn their freedom.
- Explains that james armistead was born into slavery in virginia and served as a spy under marquis de lafayette to stop the british from sending troops to yorktown.
- Explains that women played an important role in the american revolution. they were nurses, seamstresses, cooks and maids.
- Explains that the american civil war was one of the country's bloodiest battles, but was a war that helped develop the nation. minorities helped both the north and south in many ways.
- Analyzes how the natives helped both the north and south in the american civil war. they were determined to make peace with the new colonists in order to help the future.
- Explains that the civil war was important for the african americans. their freedom all depended on the result of the war.
- Explains that elijah p. marrs fought hard for his freedom and helped the union in the war.
- Explains that women were given the privilege to work for the army as nurses, seamstresses, laundressed, and hospital attendants in the civil war. frances clayton joined the union with missouri artillery and cavalry regiments.
- Concludes that minorities in both the american revolution and civil war impacted the outcome of each war in ways we cannot even begin to comprehend.
1668 wordsRead More - The African American Slaveryexplanatory essayThe Civil war started at April 12 on the year 1861 and there was fire at fort Sumter and started at 4:30 PM the, but the rebellion started at 1860 on Christmas Eve and thats were there were hostiles . The War lasted until 1865 now how does this affect the African-American joining in On January 1 President Abraham Lincoln signed that all African-American slaves will be set free in all the states and that they may join the army for the first time ever African-Americans could fight in the war.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that african american trades started around the 16th century to 19th or you can call it slavery. large amounts of africans were brought to america from the western side of the continent.
- Explains that the civil war started at april 12 on the year 1861 and there was fire at fort sumter. the rebellion began at 1860 on christmas eve and thats were hostiles.
- Explains that the stock market crashed in 1929 and there became corruption in the market. franklin delano roosevelt promised a new deal that there would be security from the cradle grave.
- Explains that african american culture shaped much of america's culture today. the influence is strong in music.
- Explains that president harry truman made a law that african americans will have equal employment rights and soon the people made it so that the african-americans have the right to join forces for the military.
- Explains that oliver w. harrington knew he wanted to become a cartoonist, making cartoons would make him feel good and cheer up.
- Explains that in the doll test there would be dolls given out to people to see if they preferred an african american doll or a white.
- Explains that voting acts right helped many african americans get rights and be able to vote and have the same rights as whites.
- Explains how the civil rights act was signed by president lyndon johnson in 1968 to protect african americans from being bullied by whites.
- Recounts how in 1960 four freshman from north carolina technical college in greensboro walked into f w woolworth store and sat quietly at the counter. 2 weeks later this happened again at other places and demonstrations went all over the north side of america
- Explains that the 1960 freedom riders interrogated southern transportation, including buses, trains, and airports. when there were violent issues, they were arrested. one person tried to help them.
- Explains that other inventors tried to copy mccoy's oil dripping cup, but none of them were as good as his. customers asked for the real elijah.
- Explains that after the civil war, african americans faced many hardships since there were many whites. the south thought that this was ridiculous and that they should not live together and became pregatois.
- Explains that before the civil war, slave states had been forbidding literacy so the african americans wanted to learn and soon there was more equality.
- Explains that the civil rights era was a time when there were many revolts and marches going through town and resistance to racial discrimination boycotts.
- Explains that the august 28 1963 march on washington got everyone's attention and twice as many people the organizers for the march were there.
1490 wordsRead More