Social Aspects of the Civil War

New York City Draft Riots Take place in 1863 Congress passed a conscription law (draft) making all men between 20 and 45 eligible to fight in war Could get out of draft by paying $300 Only the rich could afford it Riots erupt in NYC Government buildings set on fire Rioters fight with soldiers in streets Between 300 and 1,000 die during event

African-American Soldiers in the Civil War Emancipation Proclamation given by Lincoln sets all slaves free in the south. Said they were also allowed into the army if in suitable shape. African-Americans were segregated from white soldiers. They were not allowed to be commissioned officers either Many join to fight for their freedom. Advertisements were made to recruit African- Americans into the military for the Union. Posters, Newspapers, etc.

Civil War Technology Repeating Rifles used for the first time Could shoot up to 7 shots without reloading Mini Balls were used in Rifles now. More accurate More deadly Hot air balloons were used for observation and reconnaissance Submarines were used by the Union to blockade the southern coast on the Atlantic Ocean. Telegraph Battery Wagons Used to bring telegraph wires and communication right to the battle field

Camp Life Soldiers spend weeks and sometimes months between battles. When not in battle it grew boring To relieve the boredom, soldiers played cards, went to church, and found just about anything to do to keep themselves busy and their minds off the possibility of battle Soldiers even began creating their own crude versions of the dog tag by writing their information on thick paper and attaching it to their clothing so their bodies could be identified Higher ranking officers were allowed many more comforts and freedoms than the lower ranking soldiers in the infantry

Women in the Civil War The Civil War challenged and changed the traditional role of women in society. During the Civil War thousands of Women abandoned the household to volunteer in brigades as nurses Army nurses traveled with the soldiers and provided efficient care for wounded, sick, and even dying soldiers. This changes the role of women in society Many go on to be nurses after this. Clara Barton was the most famous of theses nurses She would go on to be the founder of the American Red Cross