What This Cruel War Was Over, Essay Example

The American civil war was one of the significant events that occurred in the history of America. Based on different ideologies held by the soldiers, the combat served to shape the different perceptions of events. The motivation to fight is probably the leading cause that shaped the facts of this historical process. These soldiers identified slavery as the root of the Civil War. Just as, by “slavery,” they did not mean some abstract concept or a detached philosophical metaphor for ideas about freedom, but rather the actual enslavement of human beings in the United States based on race (Manning 54). The aspect is emphasized by Chandra Manning, who opines that slavery contributed the most substantial portion in the events of the war (Manning 54). Different elements such as equality, religion, patriotism, the ideal of honour and manhood acted as the main reason why the soldiers fought. The parties involved in the war, including the Confederate and the Union (white and black) soldiers, based their struggles on different ideologies that shaped their struggle for independence. Supported by diverse secondary literature, including diaries and newspapers, Manning postulates how the war was and how it impacted on the lives of many soldiers.

Equality was among the main objectives that led to the civil war. While the Southern Agrarian soldiers supported slavery, the Northern side opposed the view. The soldiers from the SouthSouth held a negative view of slavery. The experience of Union soldiers seeing enslaved fair-skinned people altered their opinions of slavery. “They saw firsthand the products of racial mixing which they not only considered to be wrong but also saw as a serious threat to the strength of the republic” (Manning, 77-8). They also believed that the growing number would serve as a threat to the peace of the white nation. On the other hand, the Northern troops advocated for equality towards the black slaves. One soldier in one of his letters sent to his wife acknowledges the plight of black slaves in the SouthSouth. He writes, “We can never have a feeling of permanent peace as long as this curse stains our otherwise fair insignia. The ruler of nations can never prosper these United States until it blots slavery from existence.” (Doc 3). John Jones disagrees with the suffering impacted on the black slaves in the SouthSouth and decides to become abolitionists after his encounters. The impact made such soldiers more motivated to fight for the liberation of the blacks to grant them equality.

Religion is also another aspect that comes out as an aspect of the rising impact of war. Confederacy pushed for this move, which saw many soldiers relating to their religion believes as a form in which they could use to fight. Several Unions who initially based their fight as a way to preserve the nation created by the founders changed the fact based on what they believed as their religious standpoint. Many soldiers viewed the mistreatment of the blacks as immoral and never served the will of God. While religiously, many unionists found that slavery was the plan of God, the Northerners composed mainly the confederalists thought that slavery was against the will of God. A statement from one Black Union soldier attests to the fact that the liberation of blacks will be a tremendous victory from God. He says, “While we are fighting, let the good people of Zion hold up our arms with their prayers until the Lord shall grant our cause with glorious victory.” (Doc 6). Manning, on her side, opines that the fight for freedom from slavery by many soldiers threatened the success of the United States.

Patriotism also comes out as the primary motivation for soldiers during the war. President Abraham Lincoln said, “all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State, the people of which shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free” (Doc 2).  Soldiers from both the Union and Confederacy believed that they were custodians to the legacy of the founding fathers. Some, therefore, chose to fight off slavery because it would ruin the picture of the country to the outside world and erode the dignity their father fought to have in place. One White Union Soldier on the other hand, felt that it was his duty to protect sovereignty. “I am not in favour of freeing the negroes and leaving them to run free and mingle among us. We will send them off and colonize them; the government is already making preparations for the same, and you may be assured it will be carried into effect” (Doc 4). The statement shows that patriotism played a significant role in the fight

The ideal of honour and the pride of dying a heroic death is also another powerful motivator that served to push the struggle for the Civil war to slavery. Manning’s book portrays this aspect in its entity. The fact is also supported by many soldiers in combat who saw the fight as a source of honour. Frederick Douglass, in his statement, acknowledges that they could only win the war due to the rising number of slaves after President Abraham’s announcement of the Emancipation Proclamation. The black leader soldier states, “If we value liberty if we wish to be free in this land. . . . If we would be regarded men, if we would forever silence the tongue of Calumny, Prejudice and Hate, let us Rise Now and Fly to Arms” (Doc 1). Based on the statement, is it clear that the soldier leader wanted generations to come to acknowledge them as having defended their freedom. Manning emphasizes the aspect as the primary motivation for the soldiers to fight in the civil war.

From the letters and diaries from the soldiers, it is also eminent that manhood served as a motivation in war. Seeking to understand, rather than deny or assume, the centrality of slavery also sheds light on how 19th century Americans, especially Southerners, defined what it meant to be a man (Manning 68). Many soldiers, both white and black, fought to show that they could handle and defend their country, race and family. They believed that amidst the Emancipation Proclamation by Abraham, they were ready to fight for their families. According to Manning, abolition served as a threat to the safety of their families. The aspect made many soldiers, especially from the white confederate side, to work as much as they could to protect their families amidst the in surging effects of war. One soldier testifies that “Besides this, you are threatened with an insurrection (slave uprising…) and how better I can die than defending my family & fireside to do this I came in war.” (Doc 5). Based on the statement, is it clear that the soldier’s main wish was to prove his manhood by defending his family. Many soldiers wanted to show their bravery to their families even as it was eminent that they might have died in the war.

Conclusion

The letters, diaries and newspapers compiled by Manning indicate the push for many soldiers to fight in the war. Different themes come out from materials, and it is evident that motivation based on the slavery aspect served to encourage the fight in the civil war. The troops, including the blacks, Union and Confederates, fought for different ideologies they held that pertained their beliefs in their national sovereignty. Slavery becomes the main course with some fighting for equity, religion, patriotism, ideal for honour and most especially to prove their manhood. Ultimately, it is evident that they had a clear conscience that slavery contributed to the American civil war. It is also clear that their understanding of this served as a motivation for fighting in the war.