. In 1862, Col Robert Gould Shaw returned home to recover from wounds after most of his soldiers had fallen to war fatalities. Shortly after his recovery, the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln and the support of Massachusetts Governor Andrew, changed the prejudice of black soldiers not being stable enough to eradicate fear under pressure in war situations. Yet, the soldiers’ willpower to defeat Confederacy made the 54th Massachusetts proud to be soldiers, proud to wear the uniform, as well as proud to fight for their freedom. The story of the 54th Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, significantly changed white perception of black soldiers.
a. Col Shaw took command when he was 25 years of age while
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The depiction of the regiment transitioned from slavery to freedom. Freed slaves, Northern freemen, and even one of his childhood friends shifted mindsets after seeing actions of equality by Col Shaw. The first steps of shifting mindsets and prejudices of white supremacy by the black regiment was the supply of weapons, food, uniforms, and the most powerful illustration, the destruction of paychecks. After this incident, Col Shaw created a bond of trust and confidence that made the black regiment want to fight for more than just their own freedom. Col Shaw’s shift in leadership style created a family that wanted to fight for each …show more content…
His lesson of putting the men under simulated pressure was receptive and clearly understood by demonstrating by example. Additionally, the men realized and emphasized with the Col’s own experience and imagined what hew went through to be able to teach this lesson. Respect and honor were teachable characteristics during these scenes, that created an environment of seriousness while fighting for emancipation.
3. The men of the 54th Massachusetts faced a lot of obstacles on their way to emancipation including prejudices, bad leadership, and bad attitudes. Yet, with the shift from callousness and apathy shown by the white command toward empathy and trust between the regiment and the command, soldiers turned into disciplined God-fearing wholesome freedom fighters. Col Shaw created an equal environment in which a purpose of fighting for everyone’s freedom was the upmost priority. a. The final scene in which Confederates bury Col Shaw along with the rest of his soldiers sums up the story by suggesting the triumph over racism within the military ranks against Confederacy, the preservation of the Union, and the emancipation of freedom. Col Shaw overcame his prejudices by being emerging into the ranks of his own men by putting himself equally next to the first ranks and off his horse, which earned him the respect and created the motivation to fight without fear against supremacy and for