The Impact of the Civil War on American Literature The Civil War inspired people to establish a literary culture for our new nation and it also affected the literature we read today. The Civil War was very traumatic. It caused over six hundred thousand American deaths. That is more than any other war in American history (Fuller). After America separated from Britain, the American people needed their own culture separate from Europe. Literature was very important in their lives back then. The American people had a longing for what citizens in places like Britain and France had (Fuller). Slavery and freedom became major topics of Civil War era literature. Writers’ work became known to be expressed as “a love of nature and a desire for …show more content…
They were all trying to become the self-proclaimed “Poet of America” (Fuller). The problem was, they were trying to recruit all of America to read their poetry, and now, their “audience is divided” (Fuller). Walt Whitman in particular was one of the poets who wrote about the war. When he found out that his brother was injured while fighting for the Union army, he traveled to see him in a hospital. From the experience of meeting all his brother’s friends, he writes one of the first Civil War poems; “A Sight in Camp in the Daybreak Grey and Dim” (Fuller). He also wrote in his collection of poems, “Oh Captain, My Captain”. That poem compared the winning of the Civil War by the Union to a captain and his crew on a ship (Davidson and Stoff 536). Through all these poems, the great writers tried to explain what it was like to be a “southerner, a northerner, or a slave” …show more content…
Notable stories include: Destruction and Reconstruction: Personal Experiences of the Late War by Richard Taylor and War Reminisces and Stuart Cavalry Campaigns by John Singleton Mosby (Simpson). Another thing that played “a big role in the Civil War” (Strauss), was trauma. Writers such as Louisa May Alcott and Herman Melville made trauma from the Civil War a big part of their writings. Through this, they “tried to give their characters uniqueness and individuality” (Strauss). They strive to tell the truth in their work, but the truth becomes a “horrifying reality” (Strauss).
Besides freedom and war stories, the other major topic of Civil War era literature was slavery. Probably the most famous and well-known of all the novels about slavery is Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe. She recalls of writing the story, saying “God wrote through her” (Fuller). Uncle Tom’s Cabin “helped Americans decide the kind of country they wanted to live in” (Impact of Uncle Tom).
Harriet became a world-wide celebrity after the release of Uncle Tom’s Cabin. She traveled to England to meet with British women who “begged their American sisters to end slavery” (Impact of Uncle
The novel Uncle Tom's Cabin was written by Harriet Beecher Stowe and published in the United States in 1852. The novel depicted slavery as a moral evil and was the cause of much controversy at the time and long after. Uncle Tom's Cabin outraged the South and received praise in the North. The publication of Uncle Tom's Cabin was a major turning point for the United States which helped bring about the Civil War.
Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote a book called Uncle Tom’s Cabin, which brought up the horrible aspects of slavery into many Americans minds. She brought up many horrifying points about slavery and it is said to have inspired Northern abolitionists to protest against the Fugitive Slave act.
The Civil War was a defining time in American history as the outcome of the war determined what kind of nation America would become. Due to uncompromising
The conclusion of the Civil War marked the beginning of renewed brotherhood and compromise within the United States. During the Reconstruction Era, Americans tried reuniting the country together; however, the war left disparate outcomes in the different parts of the country. Consequently, the Civil War had significantly affected the political and economic developments in post antebellum South and West.
The pain, joy, bloodshed, death, and sorrow of the Civil War are all contained in the book called, "The Killer Angels." This book will show you the thoughts, feelings and actions of many of the leaders of both armies. By reading this book you will get an in depth view of the bloodiest days of the Civil War. Even if you know absolutely nothing about this war, you can still read and understand everything that is portrayed. This story not only gives you the view of many of the major leaders, but it also gives you the maps an strategies used in this war. It also shows you the conflicts in making these strategies. This book has inspired many, but the true question is will it inspire you? Reading this book will cause
Paul Laurence Dunbar is another great poet of the Harlem Renaissance Era, Writing about equality and the lack there of for the African American brothers and sisters. His father served in the 55 regiment Army in Massachusetts when the war broke out between the North and the South inspiring young Paul to write several poems celebrating the role of African American soldiers in winning the Civil War and ending slavery. Paul’s mother fought hard and sacrificed much for him to be able to obtain a good education, he was the only African American in his class at Central High School where he excelled and had many friends. He became the editor of his school paper, was elected president of the literacy club, and was given the honor of composed and presented
Frances E.W. Harper and James Whitfield are two of the most influential anti-slavery poets of all time. Both individuals use poetry as a form of resistance and as a way to express themselves during a time of great racial tension. Their poems reach out to many different audiences, shedding light on racial injustices that were present in America. Harper’s and Whitfield’s poetry, like many other works that were written during this time, help us to better comprehend the effects of slavery on African Americans.
The Civil War was a very significant time in American history. The Civil War was fought between the Confederate States of America and the United States of America. Most people say the Civil War was a war that was fought to end slavery, which it was for most of the population. The Civil War was fought from 1861 to 1865 to determine the survival of the Union. The South wanted slaves to help run there farming plantations. Southern slave owners did not want their way of life threatened or changed, life had been the same for them for generations. Those Americans from the North were considered more progressive and had more influence from other cultures which helped open their eyes to the horrors of slavery. But for many of the men, going to war was a chance to escape boredom and some came because it was the right thing to do (p. 28).
Frances E.W. Harper and James Whitfield are two of the most influential anti-slavery poets of all time. Both individuals use poetry as a form of resistance and as a way to express themselves during a time of great racial tension. Their poems reach out to many different audiences, shedding light on racial injustices that were present in America. Harper’s and Whitfield’s poetry, like many other works that were written during this time, help us to better comprehend the effects of slavery on African Americans.
The Civil War that occurred was one of the darkest times in our history as a country. It was a time where there was a complete breakdown of social and political systems. Hundreds of thousands were killed and hundreds of thousands more were aversely affected. However, it was also a time of remembrance and significant moral progress. It is remembered as the turning point in American History and would be the foundation for the Civil Rights movement many years later.
Women in the civil war era. What image comes into your mind? A nurse? What about a nobel spy, or a leader to many? Even an abolitionist, a soldier, or maybe even a civil rights activist. Many women wanted to speak out for their beliefs, but remained quiet, for they feared it would not have a good outcome. But, some didn’t stay quiet. Harriet Beecher Stowe was one of those women who was not scared to speak for her, and many others, beliefs. Harriet was a passionate abolitionist, and her book ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’ made her an international celebrity. She is even considered one of the causes of the Civil War. Her book personalizes the political and economic arguments about slavery. President Abraham Lincoln greeted her in 1812 and proclaimed, “So you’re the little woman who wrote the book that started the great war.” Harriet Tubman was a hero. She was a runaway slave who became a conductor in the
The Civil War has been described as one of the most important occurrences in the life of the United States. It was period in time when the United States was no longer united, but instead was split between the north and south due to the ongoing feud over of the legal standing of slavery nationwide. For four years, many people were subjected to horrific measures, especially the soldiers that participated in combat. Despite the brutality of battle, soldiers experienced a numerous amount of daily hardships that made their stint in the war almost intolerable. Being far away from their homes and loved ones, having access only to inadequate food and shelter, gaining an increased risk for diseases, barely living through harsh winters, enduring
The Civil War in the United States was one of the most significant events in the history of the country. This is due not only to the outcome it provided, but more importantly to the actual events that took place during the war, the aspects it dealt with, and the questions it raised concerning humanity, courage, democracy, human rights, slavery, unity and union. Throughout the war, the causes, the tactics, and the context changed. Further, the motivation of the soldiers fighting in both armies changed in a decisive manner. Despite all, this remains one of the bloodiest events in the history of the American states.
Many of the authors had common attitudes towards America while also having wildly different experiences with it, one writer chose to write about love for his vision of the future even while being oppressed and segregated. While another writer expressed his love of the beauty of america and his love of equality while being a white male during the civil war.
The effects of the Civil War brought about changes in the United States. The country had to answer the question: To what level of moral and ethical conduct do we want Americans to be held? Loyalties were seriously evaluated. People had to decide if they held their loyalty to the country as a whole, their state, their families, or even to humanity as a whole. They had to decide if it was right to own another person, or if the slavery system was justified as a way to keep the Southern economy going. Through all this contemplation, people wrote about their thoughts and fears, and as a result, people abandoned romanticism and became realists. Many writings of the Civil War, whether informational or literary, reflect