Grace Lin Ms. Kim Period 1/8th ELA Pre-AP 22 March 2024 Changing America Bob Marley, a Jamaican singer and guitarist, once said, "Better to die fighting for freedom than be a prisoner all the days of your life." And that’s what the people did in the Civil War. They fought for freedom, too. The Civil War started on April 12, 1861, and lasted for four years. This resulted in the deaths of over 600,000 people. It ended with the surrender of the South in 1865. The war was a turning point in American history and set a precedent for the country's commitment to freedom. After the Civil War, slavery was abolished. Not only did slavery end, but it also changed the idea of freedom in America. It highlighted the need for equal rights and social justice …show more content…
They were able to pursue education, own property, and participate in many things. This allowed them to create an independent and prosperous life. This helped lay the foundation for equality and opportunities for many others to come in the future. The Civil War redefined America by ending slavery, giving others the chance to express their freedom, and giving new opportunities to women. After the Civil War, slavery was abolished in America, which brought significant changes to society. Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, once said, “A house divided against itself cannot stand”. He believed that slavery was tearing the nation apart. He was determined to end slavery, and he succeeded in doing so. Because of Lincoln and other people, many once voiceless slaves gained freedom and a voice. This act forever changed America and opened new opportunities for African Americans. Now, they are able to chase their dreams, pursue education, and have an independent life. This opened the pathway for future generations of minorities to fight for equal rights and build a more inclusive society. For example, the Stop Asian Hate and Black Lives Matter …show more content…
The Civil War opened so many new opportunities for people. But it especially opened opportunities for women. The war established the importance of unity and equality between people. It was a time of change and innovation, with people finding new opportunities to pursue their dreams. Louisa May Alcott, an American novelist who served as a nurse in World War II, wrote in her journal, “I long to be a man, but as I can’t fight, I will content myself with working for those who can.” In this part of Alcott’s journal, she expresses her thoughts on not being able to fight because she is not a man, even though she wants to contribute to her country. This is just one of the examples that show how women didn’t have a lot of options because of their gender. With this in mind, it also showed that women were often limited in what they could do. But all that has changed. Now women can do what they want, choose different careers, and have independence without being discriminated against for their gender. To sum up, the Civil War has changed a lot of how the world thinks and acts, and without this, we would not have been given the same rights as