Thematic_Paper_History

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1 Thematic Paper History Students Name Students Number Course Studied Course Code Date

2 Abstract This article examines race and society throughout the Civil War and Reconstruction. It demonstrates how slavery's abolition and the civil rights struggle still affect America. Systemic issues like economic inequality and police violence emerge from this era's racism. During the Civil War and Reconstruction, political power and gender relations changed drastically, which still affects society today. The era's economic upheavals, military strategies, and social and cultural changes are still felt in contemporary America. Explore the relationship between race and society throughout the Civil War and Reconstruction to better comprehend their massive and continuing effects on American culture and society.

3 Thematic Paper History Introduction The effects of the Civil War and Reconstruction on American culture and society are far- reaching and persistent. To comprehend the United States now, one must first comprehend this historical era (Jefferson et al., 2001 n.p). Throughout the American Civil War and its aftermath, this article will analyze the interplay between race and society. The struggles to end slavery and secure civil rights for African Americans, which began in the middle of the nineteenth century, continue to have an impact on American society today. Its importance to the course stems from the fact that it sparked both the Civil War and Reconstruction (Lincoln, 2009 n.p). it is necessary to know how race interacted with other factors to fully grasp the significance of the Civil War and Reconstruction in American history. The Civil War and Reconstruction era can only be best understood as fundamental in shaping the United States from the mid-nineteenth century down to the present day by examining the interplay between race and society, as seen in the struggles to end slavery and secure civil rights for African Americans, and how these dynamics and movements continue to shape modern America (Taylor, 2018, 27). The Impact of Race Race and racism have been deeply ingrained in the history of the United States from its very foundation, with the brutal enslavement of millions of Africans being a cornerstone of the nation's economy (Foner, 2013 34). Black people, Native Americans, and other oppressed groups were exploited and mistreated because of the notion of race. The "one-drop rule" and the Dred Scott decision, which established racial inequality and the idea that African Americans did not have equal rights to white people, further solidified this repressive social hierarchy. Putting this historical event into perspective is essential for comprehending the pervasive racism that pervaded America before the Civil War and its profound impact on culture and the lives of

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4 innumerable people, “… that the minority possess their equal rights, which equal law must protect, and to violate would be oppression”(Jefferson et al., 2001 n.p). The oppression and prejudice that pervaded society set the stage for the Civil War to break out. The Civil War had a significant impact on race relations in the United States, as it was ultimately fought over the issue of slavery. President Abraham Lincoln effectively freed all enslaved people in the states that had joined the Confederacy by issuing the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. the war's emphasis shifted from protecting the Union to working to end slavery as a whole; at this pivotal juncture, African Americans were again allowed to enroll in the Union Army after the Proclamation reversed the prior exclusion policy and almost 180,000 Black soldiers served in the Union Army, constituting 10% of its overall strength , as President Lincoln stated Gettysburg Address "Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth, on this continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal” (Lincoln, 2009 n.p). The war took on more significance for African Americans and was seen as a significant step towards racial equality. Discrimination and unfair treatment persisted for Black troops in the military despite their valor and sacrifices. In the wake of the abolition of slavery, the United States embarked on rebuilding in the years immediately after the Civil War (Taylor, 2018, 34). The 13th Amendment abolished slavery, all citizens were promised citizenship and equal protection by the 14th, and voting rights were extended to everyone regardless of race, color, or servitude by the 15 th (Manning, 2007, 36). Achieving racial equality was a primary goal of these reforms. Governments in the South quickly implemented Jim Crow and Black Code laws to maintain white supremacy and oppress African Americans; therefore, their efforts were mainly ineffective. Racism and segregation

5 persisted for decades as a result of this resistance to change and the federal government's failure to properly implement these changes (Lincoln, 2009 n.p). The legacy of race and racism from the Civil War and Reconstruction era has had a lasting impact on modern-day society. Long after the Civil War ended, the battle for civil rights and racial equality persisted, building on the victories and setbacks of Reconstruction. Police brutality, economic inequality, and Black Americans' lack of access to education and opportunity are all problems that have persisted since this era's pervasive racism and structural injustices (Jefferson et al., 2001 n.p). Controversies surrounding Confederate emblems and the never- ending struggle for voting rights and representation for oppressed populations exemplify how the political landscape has been impacted by the Civil War and Reconstruction (Taylor, 2018, 98). As a result, the fight for racial justice and equality is deeply ingrained in American culture, and the lessons of the Civil War and Reconstruction continue to shape the country today. Gender Dynamics During the Civil War and Reconstruction Before the Civil War, women were expected to fulfill traditional societal gender roles. They cared for the household as homemakers and mothers. Women needed more schooling and career options and were expected to follow males in all circumstances submissively. Women had to take on new duties during the Civil War since males were not fighting. In nursing, teaching, and manufacturing employment, many women challenged femininity. Since males were at battle, women had greater authority over their houses and communities (Jefferson et al., 2001 n.p). During Reconstruction, women, including African Americans, advocated for their and others' rights. The Civil War and Reconstruction allowed women to reject gender conventions and express their independence.

6 Women contributed significantly to the military effort in many ways during the Civil War (Lincoln, 2009 n.p). After men departed to battle, women took charge of healthcare, information gathering, and even warfare. As a result, many women entered the nursing profession and helped treat injured troops from both sides of the war. They were also responsible for collecting and communicating information as spies for different factions (Taylor, 2018, 223). Several brave women put themselves in harm's way by joining the military under male identities and fighting side by side with men. These positions demonstrated that women could contribute to the war effort in ways beyond their traditionally assumed home responsibilities and challenged conventional ideas of femininity (Jefferson et al., 2001 n.p). This aided the war effort, demonstrated women's strengths, and broadened their responsibilities, paving the way for Reconstruction's ongoing struggles against gender conventions. The changes in gender dynamics during the Civil War continued to impact Reconstruction as women gained more opportunities for activism and advocacy (Foner, 2013 123). The campaign for women's suffrage—the right to vote and a voice in politics—became more popular during this period. Equal rights in the workplace, schools, and homes were other targets of women's rights activists. There were many arguments and discussions on women's lack of participation in politics due to the Reconstruction amendments, especially the 15th Amendment, which gave voting rights to African-American males. The fight for women's suffrage and other rights for women began after that. As a result, women finally spoke out against sexism and for gender equality throughout the Civil War and Reconstruction (Jefferson et al., 2001 n.p). Despite the advancements made during the Civil War and Reconstruction, the struggle for gender equality and the recognition of women's rights continues in the United States (Taylor,

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7 2018, 221). Issues like equal pay and reproductive rights only emerged in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, even though women's voting rights were granted with the 19th Amendment in 1920 (Jefferson et al., 2001 n.p). Discrimination and obstacles against women persist in many parts of society, including the political sphere and the workplace, even in the present day. The United States still had a long way to go before it achieved genuine gender equality, although women's rights paved the way during Reconstruction and the Civil War (Foner, 2013 225). We can keep fighting for a more equal and fair society for all people if we learn about the contributions women made throughout this revolutionary era. Political Power in the Reconstruction Era During the Reconstruction era, political power was significantly shifted between the North and South (Taylor, 2018, 212). Following the war's successful conclusion, the North sought to use its increased political might to advance civil rights for African Americans. However, the South, still reeling from the war's devastating effects and the social and economic upheaval it had caused, fought against federal attempts to intervene and held on to its old power structures (Taylor, 2018, 234). The outcome was a fight for dominance between the two areas, ultimately determining how Reconstruction unfolded. The federal government's precarious balancing act between advancing civil rights for African Americans and winning over the Southern states made it an essential actor in this power struggle (Jefferson et al., 2001 n.p). One influential group in Congress, the Radical Republicans, wanted to take a harder line while rebuilding, protecting the civil rights of formerly enslaved people, and holding Confederate commanders accountable. In contrast, the South fought back against federal interference and sought to preserve its ancient power structures by passing laws like the Black Codes, which limited the rights of formerly enslaved people (Lincoln, 2009 n.p).

8 The decisions made by the federal government during Reconstruction have had a lasting impact on modern-day politics. During this time, the United States passed the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments, which profoundly impacted how we talk about civil rights and Equality (Lincoln, 2009 n.p). Topics like voting rights, police brutality, and structural racism still dominate political conversation today, leaving a legacy of the North-South power struggle during Reconstruction. Economic Changes During and After the Civil War The Civil War had a significant impact on the economy of the United States during and after the conflict. Devastation and ruin were caused by the conflict on a large scale, especially in the southern states. The South's agricultural economy, which relied mainly on the work of enslaved African Americans, suffered heavy losses as a consequence of this (Jefferson et al., 2001 n.p). The Emancipation Proclamation and the subsequent abolition of slavery significantly impacted the Southern economy. Plantation owners had to be creative to keep their farms running when they lost their workforce. Tenant farming and sharecropping emerged, wherein the landowner would get land and other resources in return for a percentage of the crops grown by impoverished white farmers and formerly enslaved people. Many formerly enslaved people were unable to break out of poverty and become economically independent because of this exploitative system (Foner, 2013 300). The implementation of Reconstruction policies further exacerbated the economic disparities between the North and South. The North's industrialized economy was able to help rebuild the South financially, but much of that aid went to white landowners, keeping African Americans economically oppressed (Manning, 2007, 230). The economic changes during and after the Civil War had far-reaching consequences for the United States. Income inequality and

9 institutionalized racism are two manifestations of the legacy of economic disparities between the North and the South. Military Strategies and Tactics During the Civil War The Civil War saw the use of various military strategies and tactics by both the Union and Confederate armies. Historical political, social, and technical contexts informed these approaches. The Confederacy's objective was to defend and keep territory, while the Union's was to blockade southern ports and control the Mississippi River. The advent of ironclad ships and the widespread usage of rifles were two examples of how technological developments in armament impacted these military tactics. Rifles, a significant improvement over earlier conflicts' less precise muskets, were a weapon invention that saw widespread usage during the Civil War (Jefferson et al., 2001 n.p). Battles might be more devastating and fatal since guns had a more extended range and were more accurate. Ironclad ships were another game-changer that altered the face of naval combat. Ironclad warships like the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia (formerly the Merrimac) were a game-changer in naval conflicts because they were almost unstoppable against conventional timber ships (Taylor, 2018, 364). The Civil War also saw the introduction of trench warfare and the use of entrenchments to protect soldiers from enemy fire (Lincoln, 2009 n.p). Later on, this strategy was used in World War I and even in contemporary conflict. The development and use of transportation and communication technologies like railroads and telegraphs also significantly facilitated military operations. Military techniques and methods used during the Civil War continue to influence contemporary conflict. No military operation would be complete these days without guns, ironclad ships, and trench warfare. War operations also highlighted the need for adequate transportation and communication throughout the Civil War (Manning, 2007, 267). Leaders in

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10 the military still look to the innovations and takeaways from the Civil War to inform their practices today. Social and Cultural Changes During and After the Civil War The Civil War and Reconstruction brought sweeping social and cultural changes that continue to shape modern-day society. There was a dramatic shift when the plantation system collapsed. The South's large-scale agricultural system collapsed due to the abolition of slavery, which disrupted the economic underpinning of the region (Lincoln, 2009 n.p). Sharecropping and tenant farming emerged as new forms of labor due to this social and economic turmoil that affected white and black Southerners. Religion also transformed during and after the war, as Foner stated “If the prayers that have gone up for the Union army could be read out,” he added, “you would not get through them these two weeks.” (Foner, 2013, 125). Many troops sought solace and direction in their faith as they struggled to make sense of the atrocities they had experienced. As a result, African- American communities saw a reawakening of religious zeal and the establishment of new denominations like the Black Church (Jefferson et al., 2001 n.p). Soldiers of all religions and cultures fought throughout the conflict, promoting greater religious tolerance. The impact of the war on Native American communities cannot be overlooked. Victims of the war were many indigenous communities who found themselves torn between Northern and Southern forces. The government also pushed further expulsion and reserve relocation of Native Americans throughout the conflict (Lincoln, 2009 n.p). Native American tribes are still dealing with the fallout from this forced assimilation and relocation. The effects of these societal shifts on contemporary culture are far-reaching and long-lasting. In the wake of the plantation system's demise, new forms of work emerged, influencing American economic policy and

11 workers' rights (Jefferson et al., 2001 n.p). The impact of the wartime religious resurgence on religion's place in American culture is long-lasting. Sovereignty, representation, and cultural preservation are contemporary concerns that interact with the treatment of Native Americans throughout the war and Reconstruction (Manning, 2007, 343). Therefore, many cultural and social shifts that originated during the Civil War and Reconstruction still impact contemporary society. Conclusion In conclusion, Up to the present day, the United States has been defined by the Civil War and its aftermath, Reconstruction. Our study of race and its interactions with other social factors throughout this century reveals the enduring impact of the fight for civil rights and African- American emancipation on the nation. The complexities and effects of the Civil War and Reconstruction have been thoroughly investigated in this work. Research and study on this matter are necessary since it continues to have societal effects. We can better face and overcome challenges now and in the future by learning from our mistakes.

12 References Foner, Eric. Forever free: The story of emancipation and Reconstruction. Vintage, 2013. Jefferson, Thomas, and Noble E. Cunningham. The inaugural addresses of President Thomas Jefferson, 1801 and 1805. University of Missouri Press, 2001. https://books.google.com/books? hl=en&lr=&id=LQmEvPhVF7QC&oi=fnd&pg=PP11&dq=Jefferson+Davis+Inaugural+ Address&ots=nVj3YLFOYH&sig=Zdvnc1_5N27d60AECyQ5bpaws3s Lincoln, Abraham. The Gettysburg Address. Penguin UK, 2009. https://rmc.library.cornell.edu/gettysburg/good_cause/transcript.htm#:~:text=President %20Lincoln%20delivered%20the%20272,all%20men%20are%20created%20equal . Manning, Chandra. "What This Cruel War Was Over (English Edition) eBook Kindle." Capa 67: 13. https://www.amazon.com.br/What-This-Cruel-Over-English-ebook/dp/B000OYF01Q Taylor, Amy Murrell. Embattled Freedom: Journeys through the Civil War’s Slave Refugee Camps. UNC Press Books, 2018.

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