African Americans and the Civil War

1. African Americans and the Civil War Chapter 4 Section 2

2. Enslaved African Americans Seek Revenge • Treated as a contraband or captured war supply in the Union hands • Some in Missouri under Fremont became free – later reversed due to being a border state • Lincoln thinking of the right time to issue an order dealing with emancipation – did not want to appear desperate

4. Antietem • Single bloodiest day of the Civil War – more than 23,000 soldiers dead or wounded • Lincoln had the victory he needed to declare emancipation

6. Emancipation Proclamation • Freed all people in places of rebellion after January 1, 1863 – in reality did not free a single slave • Impact • North – redefined the war as being “about slavery,” increased enlistment of African American soldiers – Militia Act allowed them to enlist • South – Put an end to any thought of peaceful negotiation, will be a war until the end

8. African Americans Join The Fight • 54th Massachusetts – First all black regiment – known for Battle at Fort Wagner • Slaves in South help the Union – spies, scouts, sabotage farms