Class Notes 17.1b (NB p. 19)

Emancipation Proclamation –

Frederick Douglass’ support –

impact on enlistment –

officers in African American regiments –

duties of black regiments –

Negro soldiers’ pay –

the 54th Massachusetts –

Fort Wagner –

dangers for African American soldiers –

Skip two lines between each!

Lesson 17.1b: The

Emancipation Proclamation and African American Soldiers

Today we will describe the role

of black soldiers in the Civil War.

What We Already KnowWhat We Already Know

By the summer of 1862, the

Confederacy had won most major battles and Lee

was preparing to invade Maryland.

By the summer of 1862, the

Confederacy had won most major battles and Lee

was preparing to invade Maryland.

What We Already KnowWhat We Already Know

With every rebel victory, the British government

grew closer to recognizing the Confederacy and providing it with aid.

With every rebel victory, the British government

grew closer to recognizing the Confederacy and providing it with aid.

What We Already Know

President Lincoln issued the Emancipation

Proclamation, freeing all slaves in Confederate

hands and forcing Britain to withhold aid

from the South.

African American Soldiers

Before the Emancipation Proclamation, the government had discouraged black

enlistment.

Before the Emancipation Proclamation, the government had discouraged black

enlistment.

African American Soldiers

• Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation invited African Americans to join the Union army.

• Frederick Douglass praised the decision, believing that military service by blacks would guarantee their rights to citizenship.

African American Soldiers African American Soldiers

After emancipation, African Americans rushed to join the army.

After emancipation, African Americans rushed to join the army.

African American Soldiers

By the end of the war, 180,000 black soldiers had fought for the Union army.

By the end of the war, 180,000 black soldiers had fought for the Union army.

African American Soldiers African American Soldiers

African-American soldiers fought in all-black units led by white officers.African-American soldiers fought in all-black units led by white officers.

African American Soldiers

African Americans often were assigned the worst jobs and paid less than white soldiers.African Americans often were assigned the

worst jobs and paid less than white soldiers.

African American Soldiers

But African American soldiers

showed great courage on the

battlefield.

But African American soldiers

showed great courage on the

battlefield.

The 54th MassachusettsThe 54th Massachusetts

The most famous black regiment of the war was the

54th Massachusetts.

The most famous black regiment of the war was the

54th Massachusetts.

The 54th MassachusettsThe 54th Massachusetts

The regiment’s bravery at Fort Wagner, South

Carolina in July 1863 made it

popular in the North, and increased

African American

enlistment.

The regiment’s bravery at Fort Wagner, South

Carolina in July 1863 made it

popular in the North, and increased

African American

enlistment.

The 54th Massachusetts

Sergeant W.H. Carney was awarded the

Medal of Honor for his bravery in recovering

the Union colors at Fort Wagner.

Sergeant W.H. Carney was awarded the

Medal of Honor for his bravery in recovering

the Union colors at Fort Wagner.

The 54th Massachusetts

African Americans faced greater danger than whites if captured. African Americans faced greater danger than whites if captured.

Southerners rarely took African Americans as prisoners.

Southerners rarely took African Americans as prisoners.

The 54th MassachusettsThe 54th Massachusetts

Instead, they often executed black soldiers or returned them to slavery.

Instead, they often executed black soldiers or returned them to slavery.

Get your whiteboards and markers ready!

5. How did the 54th Massachusetts Regiment become famous?

5. How did the 54th Massachusetts Regiment become famous?

5. How did the 54th Massachusetts Regiment become famous?

5. How did the 54th Massachusetts Regiment become famous?

A. As the first African American military unit to see combat

B. For its heroism at Fort Wagner

C. As the first American military unit to be commanded by black officers

D. For being the largest black regiment of the war

A. As the first African American military unit to see combat

B. For its heroism at Fort Wagner

C. As the first American military unit to be commanded by black officers

D. For being the largest black regiment of the war

6. Why did African American soldiers often face greater hardships than white

soldiers, and greater danger if captured?

6. Why did African American soldiers often face greater hardships than white

soldiers, and greater danger if captured?

Choose all that are true!

Choose all that are true!

6. Why did African American soldiers often face greater hardships than white

soldiers, and greater danger if captured?

6. Why did African American soldiers often face greater hardships than white

soldiers, and greater danger if captured?

A. They were never allowed to rise above the rank of private.

B. They were often given the worst jobs.

C. They were given less pay.

D. When captured, they were frequently shot or returned to slavery. Choose all that

are true!Choose all that

are true!