Understanding The Civil War

Important Questions

1.      How did the motivation to win the war differ between people from the Union and people from the confederacy?

2.      Why, after so much war and bloodshed could people of the confederacy not see that the cruel institution which they were trying to keep alive was not worth the death of their own people?

3.      How did America evolve as a country and as a people through the civil war?

Introduction

The American civil war was a time of confusion for the U.S.  The unity of the country was tested and broken apart by slavery.  Many Americans died because some people refused to give up a cruel, unjust institution that allowed them to make good money.  However the war was won by the side that was united and driven by a stronger cause.  The people of the union fought for what they knew was right.  Because they fought for what was right they were victorious, and with this victory the separated states became united and the country was able to evolve as a whole.

Conclusion

Throughout all the battles, bloodshed, and death, the people of America learned that war is “a People’s contest…a struggle for maintaining in the world, that form, and substance of government, whose leading object is, to elevate the condition of men..”- President Lincoln.  620,000 fought and died so that millions of slaves could be freed so that everyone could realize that slavery in any way shape or form is not right and not humanly.  By realizing what people do wrong, the human condition can be improved upon.