Download African Americans in the 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.
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.
The Push Towards Emancipation
Lincoln began working on a plan to
emancipate, or free, enslaved African
Americans. He 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.
Did Lincoln’s Proclamation free all slaves? No; only in
‘rebellious’ territories
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 allblack 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?
 Blacks were more likely to side with the Union– added troops that knew the
terrain