Women and Slaves in the Civil War

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1) What roles did Northern women play during the Civil War and how were they affected by the war?

Just like many men, women readily volunteered for the Union from the outset of the Civil War. Women did not join the battle per say, but they play a critical support role that kept the army functioning. Throughout the North, women organized various aid society that were designed to supply the Union troops with the supplies that they needed, from food to uniforms, and everything imaginable in between. They also made various items that were then sold to raise money to better support the troops and increase morale. As the War continued, some women even began to seek a more active role in the conflict. Similar to Florence Nightingale in the Crimean War, many women found a way to get to the front lines of thwart and care for sick and wounded soldiers, in addition to doing what they could to keep the troops healthy and their spirits high. In the end, women were just as impacted as the men by the war. They wanted to the Union to stay together, they feared for the loss of their husbands and brothers, and worked to support the cause however they could. By June of 1861, the Sanitary Commission was formed that was funded by the federal government and provided a way for women to serve in the army and take care of the troops. Nearly 20,000 women from the north were involved with this service alone.

2) What roles did Southern women play during the Civil War and how were they affected by the war?

Similar to the women in the North, White women in the South directly worked to serve the Confederate troops throughout the South. While the Confederacy had far less money and resources than the North did, the women were rather innovative in forming various societies and ...