Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Blacks and the Civil War (Af. Am.)



Read Lewis Douglass Letter (Pg. 370). Reflection: What motivates Blacks to enter this war following the Emancipation Proclamation? (200 words)

24 comments:

Unknown said...

I feel as though Blacks were motivated to fight back for the many years they've been enslaved. Douglass says that many men were wounded, killed, or missing. Douglass also says "remember if i die, i die in good cause. I wish we had a hundred thousand colored troops. We would put an end to this war." Basically in that quote he states the anger and strength of the Blacks. If they were fighting along they would've won because of all the anger and hatred built up inside. Slaves also knew the land and areas better since they've worked on it for so long which can be used for fighting skills. I feel as though the Blacks did know they could outnumber and win if they fought. Also, they would get revenge and freedom.

Unknown said...

" The emancipation proclamation not only marked the beginning of the end of slavery, but it also authorized the enlistment of black troops in the union army" (pg.362".) Blacks saw enlisting in the war as an opportunity to viewed as equals to whites. They also viewed the war as a battle for their freedom. It states in the book "black leaders were convinced that by serving in the military, black men would prove they deserved to be treated as equals and had earned the right to be citizens. Frederick Douglass put it succinctly: “Once let the black man get upon his person the brass letters, U.S.; let him get an eagle on his button, and a musket on his shoulder and bullets in his pocket, and there is no power on earth which can deny that he has earned the right to citizenship.”(365). Hence Lewis Douglass's statement " Remember if I die, I die in a good cause. I wish we had a hundred
thousand colored troops. We would put an end to this war." Blacks saw this war as the final step to ending slavery.

Unknown said...

I think what motivates Blacks to enter the war following the Emancipation Proclamation is the years that the blacks where being capture as slaves. I agreed with what Zena say that blacks gets involved in this war because they wanted to help the win the was to gain there freedom after all those years of being enslaved just like Douglass say " I wish we had a hundred thousand colored troops. We would put an end to this war."

Unknown said...

I believe that blacks had plenty of reasons for entering the war. One of those reasons was that blacks were already angry from being enslaved. Another reason why was because the former slaves were free with restrictions. After those slaves were told to be free, they still were denied rights that whites had. the blacks saw this war as an opportunity to prove that they were equal to whites, that they were free.

Yazmeen said...

I agree that black soldiers wanted to enter the war to prove that they were equals to whites, both in strength and courage. The textbook says on page 369 that after the 54th Massachusetts Regiment helped fight the Battery Wagner battle, they "put to rest the myth that black men lacked the nerve to fight." In his letter, Lewis Douglass says, "Our men fought well on both occasions...and were repulsed with a loss of 3 killed and wounded." He expressed how well the black soldiers were doing, saying that not only did 3 people out of the many soldiers get hurt, but he also escaped unhurt from the "perfect hail of shot and shell." His letter shows how able and adequate black soldiers were to fight in the war with whites as equals.

Cassidy Klement said...

I think that the motivation of the Blacks to enter the war following the Emancipation Proclamation is quite obvious. They were fighting to free the enslaved; they were fighting to avenge the fallen Blacks who wrongfully died before them, battling for the freedom of their brothers; they were fighting to prove their equality to the whites. Sure, there was a very high chance that the Blacks would lose, that they would be wounded, killed, but if they didn't take the risk, the abolition of slavery might never have happened. The blacks bravely faced their opponents, weapons raised to prove that they could fight just as well as the whites could and that they deserved equal rights.

Vera D. said...

The emancipation proclamation motivated the blacks to enter the war. I do not think many or any would enter this war without the stipulation of the emancipation proclamation which would give them opportunities, which would give many freedom. Lewis Douglass said in his letter to his wife, "If I should die, I die in a good cause". There was no cause then greater than a person's freedom. If you think about it the war was probably a win-win situation for slaves facing excruciating treatment: if they died in the war they escaped their harsh treatment, brought their people closer to freedom and if they live they live as the masters of their soul. The Civil War really was about slaves and it never would have ended unless slaves became involved: a person with nothing and everything to lose fights better than anyone. I also think blacks rushed their because for the most part blacks were set on one thing, every single one of them wanted freedom, they wanted to be recognized for the persons for which they were. The emancipation proclamation gave blacks some control and a chance of their futures, so they rushed to it like whites to california.

Unknown said...

i believe that blacks have been motivated for many years leading up to the war. I kind of think that blacks sat like ticking time bombs. it was only a matter of time until they would ALL get fed up and start to actually work as one for the same cause. Blacks entering the war was maybe a way or "the only way" they thought they could end slavery. they did't care if they didnt come back as long as they went and accomplished the ending of slavey. But on terms of the question...Many events from before the war was what motivated the blacks.

Natalia Lopez said...

Many things motivated Blacks to enter the war following the Emancipation Proclamation and one of those things was that they deserved the same rights.On the textbook pg.365 it says " black leaders were convinced that by serving in the military, black men would prove they deserved to be treated as equals and had earned the right to be citizens." Lewis Douglass said " If I die, I die in a good cause." This quote shows that he was proud of himself and what he was doing towards having the rights to be citizens.

aissetou said...

The motivation for blacks to enter the war following the emancipation was the end to slavery and to finally bring justice to the blacks. Blacks wanted to prove that they were courageous enough to take on a war with the whites and so they did. Douglass was not giving up until freedom was gained. "i have been in two fights and am unhurt. "i am about to go on another one i believe tonight." He was determined to end slavery once and for all even if it meant dieing for the cause. "remember if i die, i die in a good cause", said Douglas. This quote shows that Douglas was fighting for his freedom as well as others,it seemed as if it didn't matter whether he gained his freedom alive or dead as he had nothing to lose.

Unknown said...

I believe equal rights was the driving force for the Blacks to fight in the Civil War. The Emaciation Proclamation was what Blacks believed to be the first step needed to take to get rid of slavery. Logically, the Civil War would be the second step. If the Blacks have a chance to fight for what's right, why not take it? "I wish we had a hundred thousand colored troops. We would put an end to this war."(370). I believe that Douglass wants to let Amelia know that the Blacks soldiers are equal to the white soldiers and that the blacks are the ones leading this war. Douglass is trying to let us know that all the Union needs is a couple more thousand blacks and they will be the reason for the Union's victory. Also the Blacks were happy when the Proclamation was mandated by Lincoln and they were willing and happy to fight with the Union for their rights and to justify slavery. The proclamation was a way for the Blacks to have their emancipation enacted by the Union and for the Blacks to try their hardest to win the war that they believe will be the end of slavery once and for all.

Unknown said...

Blacks fought in the civil war following The Emancipation Proclamation for several reasons. For one blacks wanted to be treated as equals to whites and they felt that fighting in the war could prove this. Another reason blacks fought in the war because the war was the beginning of the ending of slavery. I feel that blacks wanted to fight for the people in thier nation that were in bondage and treated wrongly by the institution of slavery. I also feel that blacks had nothing to loose at that point in time. If slavery never ended they would always be looked at as 3/5 of a person in other words less than human. Because of this blacks fighting in the war was the first step in proving that they were equal and slavery should be abolished

Unknown said...

The possibility that blacks weren’t going to forced under the white man’s thumb anymore was the motivation that blacks needed entering the war. The Emancipation Proclamation was the beginning of the end of slavery, but it wasn’t the final end of slavery. Blacks feel that they need more control within their restrictions and the war sought out to be that outlet. In the letter, Douglass says "Remember if I die, I die in good cause. I wish we had a hundred thousand colored troops. We would put an end to this war." This quote is similar to what most blacks felt they knew that they had to free their sisters and brothers from the hardship and cruelty of bondage. They knew this was “good cause” and ready to do anything to defend or win it. Blessing stated that blacks thought fighting in the war would convey into full citizenship which is also another reason for blacks to enter the war. They believe this would grant the honor and respect as of a citizen because they were fighting the same cause as the white northern soldiers.

Unknown said...

I believe the motivation behind the blacks wanting to enter the fight in the Civil war after the emancipation proclamation was for equal rights. The blacks believed it was a huge stepping stone in getting the equality they deserved for so many years. They wanted to show the whites that they were people too and were willing to die for the same cause. I also believe many blacks believed that after the emancipation proclamation was in motion that if they joined in the civil war it would be a step in abolishing slavery. They would be seen as equals if they fought for the white man. I kind of don't believe they were fighting for the white man's cause but rather for their own freedom from the white man.

Ashley Thomas said...

I believe that blacks entered the war for various reasons. First, they entered because they wanted revenge. Blacks finally got the chance to hurt whites, the ones that hurt them. The people who were time bandits, they wasted their times and used them as animals. Also, I think blacks entered the war because they wanted to feel equal. Whites always had the upper hand during slavery and blacks usually had no say. By entering the war, blacks felt equal or higher in power than whites.

Unknown said...

I believe power is what motivated Blacks to enlist. Blacks wanted a chance to get revenge on whites for the slavery & this was an legal opportunity. They could have the option of killing & releasing anger so they took their chance & ran with it. I believe they felt they were on the same level with whites because they were able to fight with them.

li jun said...

I think what motivates Blacks to fight in the war is that they want to make a good change because in Douglass letter it says"if i die, i die in good cause". i think also think fighting in the war was a good opportunity for Blacks to gain their freedom and earn the respect and equal right the white have.

Unknown said...

Many blacks where motived to enter the Civil War following the Emancipation Proclamation because of the various years of being enslaved. While being enslaved the all where going to get fed up sooner or later with being ruled. Also they waited to show the whites that they had what it takes to take on a way against them . They wantedto fight for there own kind because of the way they were mistreated .

Unknown said...

I think the slaves motivation for fighting for such a movement is the obvious, they wanted slavery abolished. Therefore, I think the slaves felt an obligation to help fight for their equality. They were fully aware of how critical this war was for them. It determined if they would finally have the freedom in which they prayed and dreamed of their whole lives perhaps. All in all, I think the slaves fought for slavery because it was their right and duty to fight for the one thing they wanted... freedom.

Unknown said...

I think there are many reason why the blacks entered the war after the Emancipatiion Proclamation. For one I think they entered the war to better themselves and fight back. They were enslaved all their lives and knew this was the change to get their freedom. Also in Douglass letter he says, " IF I Die I Die in good cause." This is saying they fought for their rights. Blacks knew what they were getting themselves into but it was for good cause. This was a way for them to get their anger and the hatred they had for thier masters. But to also get away from them. Another reason they fought was for power and equality. This was a way for the blacks to feel as though the were equal to the whites by fighting in a war with them. They felt some type of power by killing and getting their anger with revenge. The war was their way for that.

Unknown said...

AALIYAH BULLOCK
I think the reason why the blacks entered the war after Eemancipation Proclamation was obviousness like my other classmates stated already. The blacks were fighting all their lives but they knew this could be a change to finally get their, freedom. By the blacks entering the war it was a way for the blacks to feel equal to the whites by fighting them in a war. The blacks bravely faced their opponents, as well as prove their point of them wanting to be free. They wanted to show the whites they were people as well & would fight for their rights.

Unknown said...

Blacks were inspired by vigorous support from prominent black leaders. African American newspapers with some phrases such as, "We must fight! fight! fight!". Since blacks were free they felt as though that they could fight for their own liberty. African Americans also wanted to feel equal as well as whites, so blacks took the opportunity to gain their victory.

Samantha Easley pd, 7 said...

Blacks were motivated to join the Civil War, because it was their the first chance that ever had at fighting slavery. Blacks knew that the war was not really about slavery, but the made it personal. Blacks though that the Civil War was the first step; the spark that could begin their own fight against slavery.

Blacks also fought in the war for practical reasons as well. Most former slaves had little to no money and being in the army provided clothes. meals and money.

Unknown said...

I think that blacks motives to fight in this war was to gain respect and make a change. Also blacks finally wanted to fight back and do something about the way they were treated in slavery. Being in the war was their chance to be equal with the whites. Blacks thought that by them fighting alongside the whites they would be treated equally and gain freedom in all of America.