The Importance Of African-American Soldiers In The Civil War

Many people today often associate the term Civil War with the north and south's quarrel over the freedom for slaves. However, civil rights for slaves was only one aspect of many larger issues between the North and South. In fact, the name "Civil War" refers to the many civilians that acted as soldiers, and not to any civil rights that became law. Many other social classes like immigrants, Native Americans, and especially women, also didn't have the same rights as white men. Once the 13th and 15th amendments gave Blacks freedom from slavery, and black men the right to vote, it became an example to women that they too could hope to achieve greater equality and more rights if given an opportunity to prove they deserved it.

The introduction
Before the Civil War broke out in 1861, there was an estimated four million slaves in the United States, and just under 500,000 free African Americans ("The Importance of African-American Soldiers in the Civil War"). As the Civil War grew African Americans began filling in roles for the Union, such as nurses, cooks, and blacksmiths. Some others became spies and scouts for the Union Army, providing valuable information about troop movements. African Americans were also part of the Confederate Army, although they were needed more as slaves and Southerners were very hesitant to arm them for fear they would rebel ("The Importance of African-American Soldiers in the Civil War"). However, the Union had more than 200,000 and the Confederates had less than 100,000 ("Black Soldiers in the Civil War"). But, both brought African American troops to the battlefield. Most were escaped slaves who served in segregated units under white
African Americans were promised a new life of freedom with the same rights provided to other American citizens. Although, the newly freed negros in the South had little or no money, limited or no education with little access to it. On top of that, racism impacted every area of their lives every day. Northern teachers, many of them white women, volunteered to provide education and training for the newly freed negro population. There were also many organizations like Freedoms Bureau which aided freed slaves in the South during the reconstruction. These organizations helped teach the African Americans how to live on their own. In time, schools from the elementary level through college provided a variety of opportunities to teach African Americans how to read and write. However, the books they used were passed down from whites and were all torn up. They were mostly taught in homes, cellars, or sheds. Although, some white Americans welcomed them, others used "people’s ignorance, racism, and self-interest to sustain and spread racial divisions" ("Separated is not Equal"). Without the help from women, organizations, and other individuals, most African Americans wouldn't be able to sustain on their