Topic 7 DQ 1
Grade 5/5
Instructor comments: Thanks for your hard work this semester!
How did the Civil War affect the home front? What was the connection between
the home front and battlefront for both North and South? How did the strategy of total war affect the outcome and legacy of the war?
In the Civil War both the North and South were affected. Changed the lives for many people. Husbands had to leave wives and children behind, and the wives had to do both their job and their husbands. Many women lost their husbands and their sons. According to the text this civilian on the Homefront had the most negative impact since they had to handle the effects of inflation. The government took charge and cared for those who lived on the Homefront while supporting the military as well. However, the support from the government wasn't enough for both the North and the South.
The North was in a better position than the south with a larger population. The North with large cities had been established for much longer than the South. The manufacturing, factories, and food supply was better equipped. The home front in the north was also more established with Rail Roads and the seaport with shipments and equipment brought in from overseas. The South did not have the same advantages as the North. One of the problems was the access to supplies when they ran all out. During this time much of the southern land was used for farming. Mainly plantations that had slaves working on the farm. Many of the farms were having a hard time with keeping up with the demand, because of the inflation and the loss of slaves. After the war, the North was able to recover quicker than the South.
I do wonder if I am getting my date wrong, why it took so long for African Americans to be free after the Civil War? If the south surrendered in 1865, and the Civil War was over slavery, state rights, and westward expansion. Then why was it way into the 1900s that African Americans would be considered as an equal if at all? . -Taressa
