1. African Americans and the Civil War

2. The American civil war, 1861-1865

3. The war Began in April of 1861
At first Black men were not allowed to join the northern army
Blacks had been barred from the army because of racial prejudice
July 1862, Congress authorized the recruitment of “colored troops.”
Emancipation Proclamation: former slaves to be “received into the armed services”

4. Emancipation Proclamation unpopular
At the time it extremely was unpopular
Very unpopular in the Confederacy (the South)
Millions of northerners denounced it.
Many northerners did not want to fight to free slaves
Ignites and anti-war movement in the North
Led by Midwestern Democrats
Michigan, Ohio, Iowa, Indiana, and southern Illinois
Some soldiers desert

5. Some Democrats favor a negotiated peace
Some Democrats favored a negotiated peace with the South.
Called “Peace Democrats” or “Copperheads”
They were most active in Midwest
They would allow the South to become an independent nation

6. Copperhead opposed the Draft
Among other things, “Copperheads” opposed the draft
Lincoln issued the first federal draft call in July 1863
Men between 20 and 45 were enrolled
Men were allowed to buy their way out or hire a substitute
Many hated the draft, in part because it favored the rich

7. The new York city draft riots
July 12, Opposition to the draft triggered a riot in New York City
A mob attacked and destroyed the draft office
“Rich man’s war, poor man’s fight.”
Rioting lasted three days
Blacks were their main targets
Black boarding houses
A black church
A black orphanage.
A mob lynched a crippled black coachman to a lamppost
About 110 people were killed

8. Political & Military leaders want Blacks to serve in the army
“The colored population is the great available and yet unavailed of force for restoring the union. The bare sight of 50,000 armed and drilled black soldiers upon the banks of the Mississippi would end the rebellion at once, and who doubts that we can present that sight if we but take hold in earnest.”

9. Political & Military leaders want Blacks to serve in the army
“Will the slave fight? If any man asks you, tell them no. But if anyone asks you will a Negro fight, tell them yes,” – Wendell Phillips
“This for the emancipation of the Negro is the heaviest blow yet given the Confederacy. By arming the Negro we have added a powerful ally. They will make good soldiers.” – Ulysses Grant

10. African Americans in the Civil War
180,000 black men fought to free their people.
45,000 free blacks
134,000 former slaves
By 1865, Blacks made up 10% off the northern army
Black soldiers took part in 499 military engagements
Black soldiers suffered a high death toll
1 in 5 died – (37,000)

11. Some Northern Blacks divided
Divided over whether or not to enlist. Some resented Lincoln’s ➢ hesitation on emancipation, ➢ refusal to consider suffrage for blacks ➢ endorsement of colonization. Many resented the way Blacks were treated by the Army Others feared retribution if they were captured

12. The Life of the Black soldier
The life of a Black soldier was harder than that of a white soldier
Period of enlistment was longer.
Blacks were rarely promoted.
Blacks were given inferior weapons.
Blacks received worse medical care
Blacks were given the worst jobs
Blacks had to endure racism
Earned less pay than whites

13. Black soldier took greater risks
If captured, Black soldiers ran the risk of being treated as a runaway slave April 12, 1864, Fort Pillow in Tennessee 300 Black soldiers were killed The South refused to treat Blacks as POWS The North refused to participate in prisoner exchanges

14. Black men made good soldiers
The typical Black volunteer made a dependable soldier
Most whites soldiers came to respect their Black comrades.
Black soldiers showed courage in battle
The 54th Massachusetts Regiment
Battery Wagner, SC – July 18, 1863
40% of the regiment died in the assault

15. Black sailors
Black sailors life was considerably better than that of an infantryman. US Navy had never barred Blacks from enlisting September, 1861 the Navy began enlisting former slaves. The Navy treated its 29,000 Blacks fairly well. ☺ Blacks were quartered and messed with whites ☺ they enjoyed the same opportunity for promotion. ☺ Four Black sailors won the Navy Medal of Honor

16. Black Civilians
Black civilians also made important contributions Blacks served as spies and guides Some Black women worked in hospitals or camps. Black charitable organizations assisted newly arrived slaves Frederick Douglass was a major recruiter for Union forces