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American Women In The Civil War Essay

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Jessica Montgomery History 101 American History to 1877 Wendi Bryant September 16, 2014

Changes to America from The Civil War

Nobody wants to believe that wars are necessary or that innocent lives need to be shed in pursuit of freedom. But regardless of if one finds a war necessary or not, wars can benefit communities and countries in many ways for years to come. The Civil War, the most bloody war, had lasting impacts on the country. Because of the 600,000 lives lost, Slavery was banned, Women were able to receive more rights, and medical advances were made. Beginning in 1619, slavery was used as a way for colonists to produce crops efficiently. Many Africans were forced to labor and were treated poorly. The Civil War made it possible for slaves to become free. Many slaves used the war to their advantage and were already escaping the southern slave states through the …show more content…

The wartime economy brought women into the workforce, both north and south, for the first time in meaningful numbers” (Davis). Just before the Civil War, women were fighting to reform their rights and freedoms. The war really pushed the controversial topic of women’s rights to the forefront. Many women were left to pick up the slack after men left for the war. This was a chance for women to really prove themselves. “The war drew more women into the wage-earning work force as nurses, clerks, and factory operatives. Dorothea Dix served as superintendent of female nurses and, by successfully combating the prejudice against women providing medical treatment to men, opened a new occupation to women” (Henretta 429). Women also baked and canned food and provided goods to the soldiers and they even made clothing. The Civil War really encouraged women to do more outside of their homes with less people opposing and questioning the women doing anything outside their traditional

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