The Fight for Equal Rights

1. The Fight for Equal Rights African-Americans and the Civil War

2. Focus Question "Once let the black man get upon his person the brass letter, U.S., let him get an eagle on his button, and a musket on his shoulder and bullets in his pocket, there is no power on earth that can deny that he has earned the right to citizenship." Frederick Douglass Explain what Douglass means in this quote above:

3. Objectives • After this lesson, you will: • Describe conditions faced by African-American soldiers during the War. • Examine the contributions of African-American troops in the Civil War

4. Recruitment • “And I further declare and make known, that such persons of suitable condition, will be received into the armed service of the United States to garrison forts, positions, stations, and other places, and to man vessels of all sorts in said service.” Abraham Lincoln Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation September 22, 1862

5. Recruitment II • Just under 200,000 African-American troops served • Roughly 50% were “contraband” • Roughly 25% from border states • Roughly 25% from the Free states • Roughly 10% of all Union troops • Total African-American population 1860: 4.4 million • 476,000 Free Blacks • 3.9 million enslaved

6. Treatment, U.S. • Fought in segregated units • White officers, Black enlisted men • Not originally designated for combat service • Faced discrimination • Underpaid: • White soldiers paid $13.00 monthly • Black troops paid $10.00 monthly, • $3.00 deduction for clothing • Suffered high casualty rates

7. Treatment, CSA • Seen as taking part in a slave insurrection • If captured in uniform, to be sold into slavery • If captured under arms, executed. • White officers captured leading Black troops would be executed • Countered by Lincoln

8. Served with Distinction • African-American troops cited for gallantry • 16 African-American troops awarded the Medal of Honor • 80 promoted to commissioned ranks • Suffered high casualties