Slavery During The Civil War

William Lowndes Yancey American southern political leader and “fire-eater” who, in his later years, consistently urged the South to secede in response to Northern antislavery agitation. American southern political leader and “fire-eater” who, in his later years, consistently urged the South to secede in response to Northern antislavery agitation.

Confederate States Of America South Carolina declared it would secede from the union if Lincoln was elected and did so in December of South Carolina declared it would secede from the union if Lincoln was elected and did so in December of These states quickly followed: Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia, Florida and Texas. These states quickly followed: Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia, Florida and Texas. When Lincoln asked for volunteers to answer the attack on Fort Sumter, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Arkansas joined the Confederacy. When Lincoln asked for volunteers to answer the attack on Fort Sumter, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Arkansas joined the Confederacy.

New Constitution The new constitution of the Confederacy clearly stated why they separated, the right to preserve African American slavery within their borders. The new constitution of the Confederacy clearly stated why they separated, the right to preserve African American slavery within their borders. Therefore, the North went to war to preserve the union, and the white South went to war to protect slavery. Therefore, the North went to war to preserve the union, and the white South went to war to protect slavery. Both sides didn’t realize that slaves saw the conflict as something they could turn to their advantage. Both sides didn’t realize that slaves saw the conflict as something they could turn to their advantage.

Slaves – The Fifth Column The Fifth Column, during a time of conflict, is a reference to an enemy within. This enemy is sympathetic to the opposing side and provides help to their cause. The Fifth Column, during a time of conflict, is a reference to an enemy within. This enemy is sympathetic to the opposing side and provides help to their cause. At first the South thought it could counter the 6 million to 2 million disparity in soldiers, with slaves doing the work that would allow more of their men to go to war. At first the South thought it could counter the 6 million to 2 million disparity in soldiers, with slaves doing the work that would allow more of their men to go to war. Slaves bided their time. They waited for the opportunity to undermine the South whenever possible. Slaves bided their time. They waited for the opportunity to undermine the South whenever possible. - some deserted when their masters took them as servants to the war, and then provided good intelligence to the North. - With only the woman of the house left to look after the plantation, slaves slowed their work, refused to obey orders, went off to other plantations to visit friends and ran off to join the North.

Three slaves claimed sanctuary at Fort Monroe, claiming that the South were going to use them to build fortifications. Three slaves claimed sanctuary at Fort Monroe, claiming that the South were going to use them to build fortifications. General Benjamin Butler claimed them as contraband, goods that could be used against the North. General Benjamin Butler claimed them as contraband, goods that could be used against the North. Thus Butler used the South’s claim of slaves as property against them. Thus Butler used the South’s claim of slaves as property against them. When word got out, slaves poured into the area of the fort, reaching 25,000. Many fought on behalf of the union. When word got out, slaves poured into the area of the fort, reaching 25,000. Many fought on behalf of the union. From then on, escaped slaves were referred to as contraband by the North. From then on, escaped slaves were referred to as contraband by the North.

Emancipation Proclamation Lincoln concluded that emancipation had to be a union war goal and it was proclaimed in January of However, it did not legally free a single slave. Lincoln concluded that emancipation had to be a union war goal and it was proclaimed in January of However, it did not legally free a single slave. To end slavery would require a constitutional amendment, which was ratified as the thirteenth amendment in To end slavery would require a constitutional amendment, which was ratified as the thirteenth amendment in By proclaiming that emancipation of southern slaves was the goal of the north, Lincoln silenced his abolitionist critics, kept foreign powers from getting involved and most importantly, energized slaves into action. By proclaiming that emancipation of southern slaves was the goal of the north, Lincoln silenced his abolitionist critics, kept foreign powers from getting involved and most importantly, energized slaves into action.

Blacks and Their Role in the War At first, ironic as it was, the war was considered a white man’s war and blacks were not allowed to enlist. At first, ironic as it was, the war was considered a white man’s war and blacks were not allowed to enlist. Frederick Douglas and other abolitionists demanded that blacks be allowed to serve. Frederick Douglas and other abolitionists demanded that blacks be allowed to serve. With the emancipation proclamation and many union defeats, recruitment of blacks was permitted. With the emancipation proclamation and many union defeats, recruitment of blacks was permitted.

Frederick Douglas Freed from slavery with his gift of gab. Freed from slavery with his gift of gab. Served as the U.S. minister to Haiti. Served as the U.S. minister to Haiti. Represented the moral conscience of 19 th century America. Represented the moral conscience of 19 th century America. "Once let the black man get upon his person the brass letter, U.S., let him get an eagle on his button, and a musket on his shoulder and bullets in his pocket, there is no power on earth that can deny that he has earned the right to citizenship." "Once let the black man get upon his person the brass letter, U.S., let him get an eagle on his button, and a musket on his shoulder and bullets in his pocket, there is no power on earth that can deny that he has earned the right to citizenship."

54 th Massachusetts Regiment

The Louisiana Regiment

Canadian Blacks and the War About 30,000 Canadian blacks took the underground railway in reverse and joined the union army. About 30,000 Canadian blacks took the underground railway in reverse and joined the union army. Josiah Henson and Osborne Anderson recruited men from Canada west to serve in black union regiments. Josiah Henson and Osborne Anderson recruited men from Canada west to serve in black union regiments. The Elgin Settlement alone provided seventy men. The Elgin Settlement alone provided seventy men. All together some 186,000 blacks from all over North America enlisted. All together some 186,000 blacks from all over North America enlisted. The Confederacy also eventually employed blacks, presenting the horrible irony of free blacks killing slaves! The Confederacy also eventually employed blacks, presenting the horrible irony of free blacks killing slaves!

Aftermath The war depopulated Canada of its black population. The war depopulated Canada of its black population. In the 35 year period after the war, 60-70% of the blacks in Canada left. In the 35 year period after the war, 60-70% of the blacks in Canada left. At the same time, white Canada petitioned the government to close our border to black war refuges and freed slaves. At the same time, white Canada petitioned the government to close our border to black war refuges and freed slaves. Campaigns were launched to repatriate blacks to the US and restrict their access to public schools. Campaigns were launched to repatriate blacks to the US and restrict their access to public schools.

More generally accepted reasons for the blacks leaving include hope surrounding reconstruction, reunification with family and friends and just going back to their homes. More generally accepted reasons for the blacks leaving include hope surrounding reconstruction, reunification with family and friends and just going back to their homes. By 1901, there were fewer than 18,000 blacks in Canada, most of whom were under 21 yrs. Old. By 1901, there were fewer than 18,000 blacks in Canada, most of whom were under 21 yrs. Old. When the Civil War ended, so did Canada’s policy of providing a safe haven for blacks. When the Civil War ended, so did Canada’s policy of providing a safe haven for blacks.