1. Irae Yoo

2.  July 17, 1862, Congress passed two acts allowing the enlistment of African Americans (Officially- Sept. 1862)  Approximately 180,000 African America ns (free or runaway slaves) served in the Union Army during the Civil War  Approximately one-third of all African Americans enrolled in the military lost their lives during the Civil War

3.  Even though most black soldiers were free slaves, they still experienced inequality from white soldiers and officers  Were paid less than the white soldiers  Believed to be incapable, unskilled, and too cowardly to fight

4.  In October 1862, the soldiers of the 1 st Kansas Colored Volunteers proved those assumptions otherwise.  The soldiers successfully blocked the Confederate attacks at the Battle of Island Mound in Missouri.  After the victory, in less than a year, there were 14 black brigades were armed and ready to fight!

5. Frederick DouglassHarriet TubmanSojourner Truth