Hardships of War Mr. Davis

The Hard Life of Soldiers: During the war, many of the soldiers were under the age of 21. Many of the ‘boys’ that joined were then turned into men. Soldiers drilled and marched for long hours, and slept on the ground in rain and snow. Boys that were 18 were trained to stand firm as cannon blasts shook the earth and bullets whistled by.

New technology appeared as a horror of the ear. Cone shaped bullets, which made rifles twice as accurate and replaced the musket balls. New cannons could hurl exploding shells several miles. Overall the new weapons had deadly results. In most battles ¼ or more of soldiers were either killed or wounded.

Those who became wounded at war had to face other horrors. Medical care was rough. Surgeons routinely cut off injured limbs (arms and legs). Even minor wounds became infected. With no medicines to fight infections, thousands died of infected wounds. Even diseases like pneumonia and malaria killed more men than guns or cannons.

Discontent in the North: Northerners that opposed the force of war tactics were called Copperheads, after the snake, because they were not with the Unions goal. Others, supported the war, however, did not support the way that Lincoln was conducting war movements.

The Draft Law: As the war dragged on many people began to question the war and what the outcome would be. Soon many men were not volunteering to protect the Union. In 1863 the first attempt of a draft started. This draft stated that all able-bodied men between the ages of 20- 45 were required to fight in the war. If men did not want to fight, they could pay the government $300 or by having someone replace them. This gave the war a nick name: “a rich man’s war and a poor man’s fight”

Riot in the Cities: Huge riots began to take place in Northern Cities trying to end the draft. The draft law had gone into effect right after the Emancipation Proclamation was announced by Lincoln. Many people began to feel that they were being forced to fight to end slavery, and many white males were angered. In July 1863, New York, a riot took place where for FOUR days white men attacked blacks, at least 74 had died in the riot.

Many times throughout the riots Lincoln had to deny habeas corpus on the bases that these men were rioting and rebelling.

Problems in the South: In the South, President Jefferson Davis was struggling to create a federal government that was strong. Many resisted paying taxes to a central government.

Like the North the Confederacy had to pass a law for drafting soldiers Like the North the Confederacy had to pass a law for drafting soldiers. However, those who owned more than 20 slaves were not require to join the war. Near the ending of the war many white males were not joining the war and Robert E. Lee asked that enslaved men be able to join the war.

The Northern Economy: The Civil War was the first war that cost more than any previous war.

The North had to use several way to raise money: Taxation and Inflation: In 1861, Congress established the first nation’s income tax on peoples earnings. During the war many bonds as well as a lot of money being printed was an issue. As the money supply increased during the wartime, each dollar became worth less and less. Inflation: a rise in prices, and a decrease in the value of money

The Southern Economy: The war brought economic ruin to the South. The cost of war, cotton trade, and severe shortages brought on by blockade ruined the economy.

The Economy Suffers: There was an income tax put into effect throughout the Confederacy as well. The South also implemented a tax-in-kind, required the farmers to turn over one tenth of their crops to the government. Like the North, the South also over printed money and inflation took a toll on the economy. Along with all the money issues, the South’s major trade system of cotton was ruined by the war.

Effects of the Blockade: The following were in short supply throughout the war: Guns and ammunition Food and clothing supply Many of the weapons that were being brought to the South came from Europe, with the blockade the South was at a loss.

Women at War: Women played vital roles throughout the war as well. Many women brought aid to the troops in the following ways: Cooking food Making beds Making clothing And being nurses (with medicine) Many women as well dressed up as men to be able to fight in the war.