Civil War Questions, Essay Example

State and consider Lincoln’s primary objective when the Civil War began. How does his policies change and eventually lead to the Emancipation Proclamation?

At the beginning of the Civil War, Lincoln’s main objective was to reunite the union. When he took office, 11 states had already seceded. He felt it was of utmost importance that the union be preserved and went to war with the South to do so.  While he is also remembered as the President who ended slavery, his views on slavery changed to this end. In the beginning of his presidency, he did not feel that Congress had the power to free slaves and end slavery. Instead, he sought to drive it to extinction by preventing any states entering the Union to do so as slave states.  However, as the war raged on, advisers urged that by ending slavery they could win the war. Lincoln ultimately chose to end slavery as a means to end the war and reunite the Union.

Explain (1) the role racism and discrimination in the Civil War (2) the relationships between black and white society (3) the relationship between black and white soldiers (4) and blacks’ responses to the Civil War.

Racism played a dominate role during the Civil War as blacks faced with discrimination both from both the North and the South.  In American society, Blacks were treated as second class citizens wherever they went. Freed slaves that joined the Union Army were not treated much better. Though they fought bravely side-by-side with white soldiers, black men would never advance past Private status. While many black soldiers had hopes that after they war, they and their families would be rewarded with a  higher social status, this was often, sadly, not the case.  Free blacks were eager to join and fight in the Union Army but they were not allowed to at first. When they were allowed to join, they were paid significantly less than white soldiers, and this caused much friction between the black and white soldiers.

In 1865, what were the characteristics of a free black man? What were the characteristics of a free white man? Are the characteristics of both the same today? Why or why not?

Many free black men, the elite amongst black society in the 1800’s, cultivated  a look that was dominated by having light colored skin and straight hair. Darker skinned blacks were typically snubbed by clubs such as the Brown Fellowship Society in Charleston, South Carolina, where membership was based upon physical appearance. Free black men sought to disassociate themselves from slaves through making themselves appear more ‘white.’ The free white man of 1865 dressed up, slicked his hair back, and stayed out of the sun. Today things have changed and there is more social blending between Black Americans and White Americans, and there are many whites who cultivate a look that is more ‘black.’

Another characteristic of free black men in 1865 was the ability to read and write. Education was highly valued by blacks, who, as slaves, were prohibited from learning to read.  Reading and writing was a social status, and a skill that allowed free men, both black and white, to rise their social standing by becoming businessmen and scholars. Today, education is still key in being able to become successful in society.  Both blacks and white communities that do not value education, or are deprived of it due to inadequate social services,  may be free on paper but in the end become slaves to the system, constantly struggling financially and many resorting to crime to subsidize their income.