Download Lesson 26 AEC Social and Economic impact of the Civil War

What was the social and economic
impact of the Civil War?
Learning Objectives:
• To enquire into the impact the
Civil War had on the lives of
women, children and slaves
• To analyse the key challenges
faced by those in the Home
front
• To reach a supported
judgement about the main
economic and social impact of
the Civil War
The start of the war
• At the start of the Civil War volunteers on both
sides rushed to join up expecting the war to be
over quickly.
• The South introduced conscription in April 1862
requiring all able-bodied men between 18-35 to
serve for 3 years. (By the end of the war this was
extended to 17-50 year olds.)
• The North introduced conscription in 1863 for
all able bodied men between 20-45.
• In the North and South those not willing to fight
could pay a fee of $300-$500 or provide a
substitute not of draft age.
• Their was widespread opposition on both sides
to conscription.
The Home Front
The Civil War touched the lives of every American family,
North and South. 620,000 soldiers died in the war and over 375,000
were wounded. For those not fighting on the Home Front, the Civil War
had a huge economic and social impact on their lives.
The impact the Civil War had on Women, Children and Slaves
Brief explanation of the impact the war
had on each group
Was the impact economic
or social?
Impact the
war had on
Women
Impact the
war had on
Children
Impact the
war had on
Slaves
What do you think was the greatest impact of the Civil War?
The Role of Women
(How did the war effect their lives economically and socially?)
What
are
women
doing
here to
support
the
soldiers
?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufdcQVVFkbc
Women at work
In the North many women went
to work in the factories helping
supply the army with equipment.
In the South women on plantations
took charge, managing the slaves
and the cotton whilst their husbands
were away.
Women in the Army
At least 400 women disguised
themselves
as
men
and
marched off to war.
Jenny Hodgers was known as
Private Albert Cashier and
joined the 95th Illinois Infantry, in
August 1862, and served for
more than three years.
She received a War pension
and was buried in 1915 with full
military honours.
Clara Barton
Known as the, ‘Angel
of the Battlefield’ by
the soldiers. From
1862, she served as
an independent
Nurse on the
battlefield and cared
for wounded soldiers.
After the war she
helped locate
thousands of missing
soldiers for their
families.
Children during
the war
Sometimes families followed soldiers into the Army
Children during the War
(Working)
Many children had to work for
example in the fields whilst
their fathers and older brothers
were away.
Children during the war
(Fighting in battles)
Young boys often served as
drummers or buglers for the
armies.
Private Johnny Cook was a
bugler with Battery B, 4th U.S.
Artillery. He was awarded the
Medal of Honor for his actions at
Antietam, acting as a cannoneer
under severe fire, when he was
only 15 years old.
Children during the war
(Caring for the wounded)
Tillie Pierce was a 15 year old
teenager on July 1, 1863 when
she left Gettysburg with her family
to escape the battle. She found
herself nursing the wounded at
the J. Weikert Farm, south of
town.
In almost every home and
building in Gettysburg for months
after the battle wounded soldiers
were cared for.
Tillie later wrote about her
experiences in an article, “What a
Girl Heard and Saw of the Battle.”
The Role of Slaves
In the South, some
slaves continued to
work
for
their
masters
and
mistresses, providing
for the troops and
families for which
they worked.
The Role of Slaves
Many of the former slaves and freed men joined the Union forces.
They did not also receive equal treatment and there were no Black Officers.
Until June 1863 they received less pay than white soldiers. If they were captured by the
South they were returned to slavery or executed. 38,000 died in the war.
The Role of Slaves
Many former slaves escaped from the South and headed North
hoping for a better life.
Challenging Times: Blockade
‘The Anaconda Plan’
This plan was
designed by the North
with the simple aim of
blockading Southern
ports and starving the
South into defeat.
Families in the South
faced severe
shortages in food,
clothing, medical
supplies and
equipment.
Challenging Times: Food shortages
Shortages became so severe
that in 1863 the women of
Richmond, Virginia,
marched on the government
in a “Bread Riot.”
Challenging Times: Living through a siege
Civilians in Vicksburg
lived through 47 days of
Union siege operations,
against Confederate
forces, defending the
city of Vicksburg.
Families lived in caves
and trenches to escape
the bombardment and
many starved in the
process.
Challenging Times: Living in a war zone
Civilians who had homes near battles often had their homes destroyed or
taken over to use as field hospitals. Sue Chancellor was 16 in May 1863
when General Hooker took her home for his headquarters. She left a
detailed description of the ordeal she faced with 15 other women and girls,
including relatives, neighbours, and a young abandoned black girl.
“Oh! Such cannonading on all sides,” Sue wrote of May 2,
“such shrieks and groans, such commotion of all kinds!
Her home became a hospital, the grand piano became the amputating
table. Arms and legs were thrown out the window. The house caught fire
from shelling and burned to the ground. Luckily all the family got out alive.
Economic Impact on the North and South
The North
• The cotton textile industry
suffered as it lost access to cotton
from the South
• Industries making weapons,
uniforms and the railroads all did
well
• Wealthy factory owners and
traders profited from the war
• Ordinary workers suffered as
prices went up due to higher
taxes and inflation. Wages were
kept low due to women and boys
happy to work for less money
WHICH SIDE SUFFERED THE
MOST?
The South
• The war destroyed their railroad
system as the Union army tore up
tracks
• Cotton growing was disrupted and
production fell from 4 million bales in
1861 to 300,000 bales in 1865.
• The only industries to grow were
those linked to the war like munitions
• By 1865 there were major food
shortages and food riots in some
cities.
• The South suffered from terrible
inflation of 500% by 1865 as the
government in the South printed
more and more money to pay for the
war.
What was the greatest
impact of the Civil War?
Economic or Social?
Exam practice – 4 mark questions
a) Describe how the lives of African Americans
were affected by the Civil War.
OR
b) Describe how the Civil War damaged the
Southern economy.
Level 1: Answer shows knowledge of the key
features
(1-2 marks)
Level 2 Answer shows clear knowledge and
understanding of the key features
(3-4)