African Americans in the American Civil War Essay examples

Along with receiving less pay, the African American soldiers also had to pay a $3.50 “clothing allowance” and were mainly used for manual labor.(Textbook Pg 352) Also if these African American soldiers were caught by the Confederacy, the soldiers would either be returned to slavery or executed on the spot. As a result, the mortality rate for black soldiers was much higher than that of white soldiers.(Textbook Pg 352) These themes of inequality and division were shown in the movie, but were later reversed when the Union became unified. All in all, the experience of the war for these soldiers was horrific and oppressive. However, unity finally triumphed when the regiment showed their strong capabilities on the battlefield in the invasion of Fort Wagner, opening the ranks to over 180,000 African American soldiers to fight for the Union in the Civil

African americans began enlisting in 1863 and in response the confederates said they would kill black soldiers or return them to slavery

In such a controversial period regarding the spread of slavery and state’s rights, the Louisiana black militia’s formation and involvement during the Civil War was not one without strife. The Union and Confederacy were both divergent in issues regarding the black population. It was only innate the black population would assist in the struggle which would determine their future to be free from subrogation. In order to review the history of the Civil War, it is only practical to view the involvement of black men during this struggle.

When the civil war ended, the world had to get used to the fact that there was no more slavery. The people who were slaves before this moved went to find other jobs to keep a living. Most of those former slaves found that the best job for them was to join the United States Army. Congress decided in 1866 to create 6 army regiments that would be solely made up of black soldiers. Unfortunately, because of many reasons the six regiments went down to four. These men had the opportunity to enlist in the ninth or tenth Calvary. They were also given the option to enlist in the Twenty Fourth or Twenty Fifth Infantry.

During the American Civil War thousands of blacks enlisted to support the cause of emancipation. Before the war ended the black troops began to shift their focus to issues such as citizenship rights by preparing to become citizens, and insisting that they should receive the same treatment and opportunities as white troops. The book Firebrand of Liberty does a good job arguing the importance of the Florida expedition in convincing the North that blacks should fight and to increase enlistment. However, the author fails to consider other reasons for that decision.

In the Confederacy, African Americans also served, but usually in forced labor. Because the South refused to arm blacks, they used them to build fortifications and perform camp duties.On March 13, 1865, legislation was finally passed that would free black slaves if they enlisted in the Confederate Army, although they had to have consent from their masters. Only a handful of black soldiers, probably less than 50, enlisted because of this legislation and were still in training when the war ended.

Army and at home. African Americans were limited to specific jobs, separated military units, where they served under white officers, broadly in service work like truck drivers, mess attendants, and stevedores. Where they served under white officers, broadly in service work like truck drivers, mess attendants, and stevedores. Combat roles were denied to them, considering that the "colored" could not handle such work.“However, they were fighting for freedom on two fronts: against Nazism in Europe and against discrimination at home in the United States”(Michael E.

Prejudice was also very evident towards African Americans in the Union forces in that they were usually assigned to labor duties, such as cleaning camps, building defenses and garrison duty, and in many cases not allowed to fight. Up until 1864, there was even a difference in pay for black soldiers, and they were not allowed to be commissioned officers.

The predicament of the African American soldiers in the civil war depicts an agonizing tale of discrimination and slavery. African American soldiers would claim a significantly minimal recognition in the civil war. Despite their potent and willingness to take part in the war, the soldiers were reduced to a minimum role and limited participation. Before the start of the Civil war, President Abraham Lincoln had a firm stance on the restriction and obstruction of black volunteers to be recruited in the army. The prodigy of the African American emancipation declaration by the president was a temporal and limited absorption into army actions on the onset of the civil .

They want to take part in the war, get involve, and do anything they can to improve their future. However, racism was still high on the Union side, many African American enlisted in the army were assigned to building duty and cooking duty. The Army also paid them much less than white soldiers. The first colored regiment was created in Michigan but they had to wait two years and four months before they could see any combat, because how controversial it was to assemble an all-black regiment and President Lincoln was trying to save the Union and not to free slaves. But many African Americans were still eager to fight for what they believe. When the U.S. War department organizes a black regiment, blacks already proved their effectiveness in battle. “By this time, there had been a dramatic change in the North’s attitude toward black soldiers… Black troops had also proved their mettle at Fort Wagner and in several other engagements, causing many white soldiers, like Lt. John Buchanan, to change their perception of black soldiers.” (Smith, 506) Even though blacks fought well during the Civil War, and have changed many perceptions of black. Racism was still among both north and south after the war ended, according to Kevin Hardwick’s “Your Old Father Abe Lincoln Is Dead and Damned”, white men got into an argument with a black soldier because the black soldier did not

Throughout the war, African-Americans had to go through disrespect and not be able to do

The African Americans were used in non combat roles by the Confederate and Union armies because extra men and women were needed for the jobs supporting the army when there wasn't enough support. These jobs were feeding livestock and soldiers, providing and manufacturing ammunition, and being nurses and doctors, and building and fortifying walls (African). The livestock and soldiers ate and drank a lot and needed to be fed and have food prepared for them. Ammunition was used profusely by soldiers, and it needed to be made and distributed rapidly, so that the soldiers would not run out of ammunition. The soldiers got injured and killed very often and usually hospitals were packed. The hospitals needed extra nurses and doctors because they could not keep up with all of the death and injury. The Confederate Army used their slaves to build and fortify walls. The Union army would hire African Americans and Whites to build and fortify walls. Both armies used African Americans as messengers, and if a messenger was found by the other army, they could lose very valuable information, and their life. Messengers were usually not used by the Confederate army, because they were not trusted; The Confederates believed the slaves would run off to the north with valuable information. In Conclusion, non combat roles played a big role in the outcome of the civil war because the Union trusted the African Americans to do their

The federal government placed many restrictions and discriminatory actions on the black troops. At the beginning of the Civil War, African Americans were not allowed to serve in the U.S. military. By the summer of 1862 it was clear that additional troops were needed. To meet the need, Congress passed two bills that allowed the participation of black soldiers in the Union Army. The Government established segregated units called The Bureau of Colored Troops. The measure lacked popular support and the U.S. Army did not begin recruiting black soldiers until 1863.

Although black soldiers proved themselves as reputable soldiers, discrimination in pay and other areas remained widespread. According to the Militia Act of 1862, soldiers of African descent were to receive $10.00 a month, plus a clothing allowance of $3.50. Many regiments struggled for equal pay, some refusing any money until June 15, 1864, when Congress granted equal pay for all black soldiers.

During the civil war the U.S army was neither considering nor accepting black soldiers. The white volunteers’ were diminishing and the African Americans were ready to fight. When the Militia act took place that was the first step to enrolling and accepting blacks into the Union Army. That alone didn’t necessary invite the blacks to join the fight but it allowed the president to employ as many African Americans that he may have counted.