Download African Americans in the War

Opening Question
How did sectional differences (i.e.
economic, social and political) lead
to tensions that ultimately caused the
Civil War?
African Americans in the
War
Chapter 7 Section 2
The Push towards Emancipation
Abolitionists such as Frederick Douglass and
William Lloyd Garrison were pressuring Abraham
Lincoln to address the issue of slavery.
When he took office, Lincoln did not speak of
freeing the slaves to keep the border states in the
Union.
Union generals were unsure what to do with
runaway slaves who came under their
command.
Benjamin Butler claimed these fugitives to be his
contraband, or captured war supplies.
“I would save the Union. … If I could
save the Union without freeing any
slave, I would do it; and if could save it
by freeing all the slaves, I would do it.
… What I do about Slavery and the
colored race, I do because I believe it
helps to save this Union.”- Abraham
Lincoln, Letter to Horace Greeley
The Push Towards Emancipation
Lincoln began working on a plan to
emancipate, or free, enslaved African
Americans and proposed his plan to his
Cabinet in the summer of 1862.
They urged him to wait for the right moment—a
major Union victory.
The opportunity came after the Battle of Antietam.
23,000 soldiers were either dead or wounded at
day’s end, making it the bloodiest day of the Civil
War Lincoln had the key victory he needed.
Emancipation at last
 The Emancipation Proclamation was
issued on September 22, 1862.
 Issued as a military decree, it freed all
enslaved people in rebellion states after
January 1, 1863.
 Lincoln hoped it would convince southern
states to surrender before the deadline.
 After Lincoln’s proclamation, the issue of
slavery became the focus for both sides.
 The proclamation encouraged AfricanAmericans in Union states to join the war.
Emancipation Proclamation:
September 22, 1862
"That on the first day of
January, in the year
of our Lord one
thousand eight
hundred and sixtythree, all persons held
as slaves within any
State or designated
part of a State, the
people whereof shall
then be in rebellion
against the United
States, shall be then,
thenceforward, and
forever free”
Which States did the Proclamation Effect?
Effects of the Proclamation
Before the Proclamation
After the Proclamation
Confederacy had
used slaves as free
labor to help their
war effort: growing
food, building
railroads, making
uniforms, etc.
Without slaves to do
these support jobs,
the South’s ability to
fight a war would
be hurt.
Effects of the Proclamation
Before the Proclamation
 The goal of the war
was to bring the
Southern states back
into the Union NOT to
end slavery.
After the Proclamation
 Army’s new job is to
bring states back into
the Unions, AND free
individual slaves.
Effects of the Proclamation
Before the Proclamation
After the Proclamation
Most citizens in the
North favored the
war because they
wanted to restore
their country.
 Some in the North are
angry and turn against
the war because they
do not want to fight to
help slaves.
Effects of the Proclamation
Before the Proclamation
After the Proclamation
The Confederacy
had been trying to
get help from
European countries
like Great Britain.
 Now that the North is
fighting to end slavery
Britain will not help the
South because they don’t
want to look like they are
defending slavery.
54th Massachusetts Regiment
 After the Emancipation Proclamation, the Union began
actively recruiting black troops. One group, the 54th
Massachusetts Regiment was an all-black regiment.
They followed their leader, Robert Gould Shaw
into a pivotal battle to capture Fort Wagner in
Charleston, S.C.
Often times, black soldiers were given
menial tasks, long guard duties and at the
forefront of key battles.
It took three years for them to receive equal pay.
 Many southerners were opposed to fighting alongside
African Americans. Draw your own conclusion: How did
this give the Union an added advantage?
- More troops (who knew the terrain)