Slavery during the Civil War Essay Example

slaves who demanded recognition as free individuals. The disunity of the states caused growing resentment towards the confederate governing body and its constituencies, leading to a backlash against its purpose.

The conflict to fulfill economic demands and the needs of citizens, especially slaves, intensified the divide between North and South. President Abraham Lincoln acknowledged these challenges and recognized that a divided country could not prosper. As a result, at the onset of the Civil War, all individuals were invited to join the Union Army irrespective of their skin color. This was promising for slaves as it offered them inclusion and opportunities to serve their nation. However, many Whites opposed accepting Blacks into the military despite some black slaves who opted to side with their masters and fight for the Confederacy (Kennedy, Cohen ; Bailey, 2006) (Blight, 2001).

Initially, Lincoln was hesitant to consider the idea of Black participation in the Union Army. He was worried about offending the border states of Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, and Missouri that still owned slaves but were loyal to the Union. In addition, there were many anti-abolitionist groups in the North who believed that this war should not involve Black individuals. The Union Secretary of War even released a statement saying that colored soldiers were unnecessary. Nevertheless, the realities of the war left them with no choice but to enlist more soldiers, which took a toll on its male citizens (Blight, 2001). As the war continued to be bloody, many slaves sought freedom from their oppressors and flocked to the Union lines.

Records suggest that slaves were placed in contraband camps after crossing Union territory. As confusion continued to stir, communities became

restless about the state of the civil war. With a reduction of soldiers in barracks, the requirement for able-bodied fighting men of color appeared to ease citizens' fears. Some states even integrated all black troops into their military units.

Blacks had the opportunity to serve in different supportive roles during the Civil War. In 1862, Congress sanctioned their involvement in the war (Kennedy, Cohen & Bailey, 2006), and Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 gave freedom to all slaves in rebellious states and allowed them to join the Union Army.

According to Kennedy, Cohen ; Bailey (2006), the Emancipation Proclamation was necessary for Lincoln to win the war as it aimed to increase recruitment. However, it only applied to slaves within Confederate states. Regardless, the Proclamation allowed Blacks to participate in the civil war, leading to the establishment of the Bureau of Colored Troops in 1863. This bureau managed the recruitment and organization of volunteer black regiments known as the United States Colored Troops. Despite these advancements, concerns about slave competency and loyalty persisted (Blight, 2001).

Despite facing discrimination from some white officials who refused to accept them into rural regiments, black soldiers in the military were praised for their defense of the state during the battle at Fort Wagner. The 54th Massachusetts All Black Infantry Regiment suffered over 300 African-American deaths during the assault, but 24 black soldiers displayed bravery and unwavering efforts that resulted in merit-based Congressional Medals of Honor during the Civil War (McPherson, 2003). This regiment's achievements and setbacks underscored the importance of black soldiers to the Civil War and left an indelible mark on American history. By the end of the war, more

than 186,000 enslaved blacks had served in the U.S. military.

Around 360,000 Union soldiers lost their lives during the Civil War in the fight for America's freedom. Among them were approximately 38,000 Black men. In contrast, roughly 260,000 Confederate soldiers passed away (McPherson, 2003). The war led to significant alterations regarding slavery's lawful status. Despite being accepted in the American Confederacy since 1619 before the commencement of hostilities; through the ratification of the 13th Amendment in 1865, both slavery and involuntary servitude became officially prohibited.

Blight's 2001 report highlights that the present civil rights situation of African-Americans has been greatly influenced by the factors that led to the Civil War.