Glossary
African American Soldiers (Union Army)
Black men, both free and formerly enslaved, who served in the Union Army during the Civil War, totaling approximately 200,000.
Example:
The bravery of the African American Soldiers in regiments like the 54th Massachusetts Infantry demonstrated their commitment to freedom and challenged prevailing racial prejudices.
Anti-Black Violence (North, Civil War Era)
A surge of racial violence in Northern cities during the Civil War, often fueled by white resentment over Black military service and the push for Black citizenship, exemplified by riots.
Example:
The New York City Draft Riots, where Irish immigrants attacked Black neighborhoods, are a stark example of Anti-Black Violence that erupted in the North during the war.
Charles Remond Douglass
The son of abolitionist Frederick Douglass, who served in the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, symbolizing the dedication of African American families to the Union cause.
Example:
The service of Charles Remond Douglass in a renowned Black regiment exemplified the commitment of prominent abolitionist families to the fight for Black liberation.
Citizenship Through Service
The concept that African American military service during the Civil War was a powerful assertion of their right to full citizenship and equality, despite facing discrimination.
Example:
For many Black soldiers, fighting for the Union was a direct claim to Citizenship Through Service, demonstrating their loyalty and sacrifice for the nation.
Civil War (as a Turning Point)
A pivotal conflict that transformed the status of African Americans, shifting from a fight over states' rights to a struggle for freedom and citizenship.
Example:
The Civil War fundamentally reshaped American society, leading to the eventual abolition of slavery and setting the stage for the Reconstruction era.
Inequalities Faced by Black Soldiers
The discriminatory treatment endured by African American soldiers in the Union Army, including lower pay, segregation, and the risk of re-enslavement or execution if captured.
Example:
Despite their valor, Inequalities Faced by Black Soldiers meant they often received half the pay of their white counterparts and were assigned to more dangerous labor tasks.
Legacy of Black Soldiers' Service
The enduring impact of African American soldiers' contributions, which challenged racial stereotypes, bolstered the Union cause, and laid groundwork for future civil rights struggles.
Example:
The Legacy of Black Soldiers' Service is seen in the post-war push for the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, as their sacrifices underscored the need for full equality.
Paul Laurence Dunbar ("The Colored Soldiers")
A prominent African American poet whose work, like "The Colored Soldiers," celebrated the bravery and contributions of Black soldiers during the Civil War, challenging racial stereotypes.
Example:
Paul Laurence Dunbar's poem, "The Colored Soldiers," powerfully captures the initial scorn faced by Black troops and their ultimate triumph in fighting for freedom.
Roles of African American Women (Civil War)
The vital, often unseen, contributions of Black women during the Civil War, serving as nurses, cooks, laundresses, spies, and educators for refugees.
Example:
Harriet Tubman's work as a scout and spy, alongside countless Roles of African American Women as nurses and laundresses, proved indispensable to the Union's success.
Union War Effort (African American Support)
The collective contributions of free and enslaved African Americans who actively supported the Union cause, seeing it as a path to ending slavery and securing Black citizenship.
Example:
African Americans contributed significantly to the Union War Effort by providing intelligence, labor, and direct military service, bolstering the Union's strength.
Washerwoman (Union Army)
A term representing the essential, often unacknowledged, labor of African American women who supported the Union Army by performing vital tasks like laundry, cooking, and nursing.
Example:
The image of the Washerwoman for the Union Army highlights the crucial, yet frequently overlooked, logistical and support roles Black women played during the conflict.