Chapter 11, Section 4 The Civil War & American Life

p. 402-406

The war causes divisions in both North & South while changing the lives of civilians & soldiers alike.

Divisions Over the WarMain Idea: On both sides, pursuit of the war is hampered by disagreements among the people.

• Southern Division: some southern states object to the Confederate draft of their men– Some states (S.C.) don’t want

officers from other states commanding their soldiers

• Northern Division: Democrats blame Lincoln for the war.– Demand a negotiated peace with

the Confederacy• Both Abraham Lincoln &

Jefferson Davis suspend the writ of habeas corpus– Constitutional protection against

unlawful imprisonment

Copperheads: Northern Democrats opposed to the war (p. 403)

The Draft LawsMain Idea: Both sides find it necessary to draft men into military service.

Rioters protesting “poor man’s fight” clash with Federal troops in New York

• High causality rates & desertion force both sides to issue the draft– a system of required military

service. • South draft white men ages 18-35

– Later, ages extended to 17-50• North draft men ages 20-45

– Wealthy families can pay $300 to avoid sending their men off to war.

– Southerners who own 20 or more slaves don’t have to serve.

• Draft causes riots in New York, -July, 1863– Riot lasts several days: destroy

property of the wealthy & attack African Americans

The War and Economic StrainMain Idea: The war strains the finances of governments and individuals.

Food Riots in Richmond, VA

• Industry booms in North – Causes labor shortage

• To pay for the war, Congress levies the first income tax– to impose by law– tax based on the amount of

money earned• North uses paper money to

finance the war– This creates inflation in North– general rise in prices– Inflation far worse in South

• South suffers food shortages– 1,000 women riot in Richmond,

looting stores for clothing, shoes, & food in 1863

Why?Why?

Women in the Civil WarMain Idea: The war opens many new opportunities for women, who contribute greatly to the war effort.

• Home Front: North & South– Run farms & plantations– Work factory jobs – Work government jobs

• War Front: North & South– Spies– Scouts

• At least 400 women pose as men to join the army.

• Before the Civil War, men were the nurses

• Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell: 1st Female doctor in America– Stress cleanliness in medicine &

military camps Clara Barton: Founder of the

American Red Cross

Mary Boykin Chesnut• Wife of U.S. Senator, James

Chesnut, Jr. (South Carolina)

– He served as brigadier general in Confederate Army

• She kept a personal diary throughout the war (Feb. 1861-Jun. 1865)– Witnessed bombardment of Ft.

Sumter

• Diary is primary source with a Southern point-of-view– Awarded Pulitzer prize for

history

Spy vs. SpyRose O’Neal Greenhow

• Liked to throw parties for Union Liked to throw parties for Union OfficersOfficers• passed information to passed information to ConfederacyConfederacy• Deported to England-drowned Deported to England-drowned in a ship wreckin a ship wreck

Elizabeth Van Lew

• Union Spy in RichmondUnion Spy in Richmond• Called “Crazy Bet” acted crazy Called “Crazy Bet” acted crazy around Confederatesaround Confederates• Spied on Jefferson Davis at the Spied on Jefferson Davis at the Confederate White House Confederate White House • Gen. Grant, "You have sent me Gen. Grant, "You have sent me the most valuable information the most valuable information received from Richmond during received from Richmond during the war."the war."

Is it Mr. or Mrs.? Frances Clayton Jack Williams

Frances Clayton fought beside her husband during the Civil War as Jack Williams in a Missouri artillery unit and later in the cavalry

Jenny Hodgers/Albert D. Cashier

• Enlisted in Illinois 95th Infantry Regiment as Albert D. Cashier

• Served until the war was over

• Continued posing as Albert D. Cashier until shortly before her death

• Received a veteran’s pension for her service