1. University of Nebraska-Lincoln
The Social and Cultural Outcomes
Of the Civil War
Daniel Wagner
19th Century American History/Hist 244
Prof. Mahoney
November 5, 2015

2. The American Civil War was without a doubt the most critical even in 19th century
American history. The duration and sheer carnage alone make it stand out from many other
wars. It was more than that though. There were lasting social and cultural effects that shook
Americans to their core, and made them question the reason they were fighting the war, and also
shined an intense light on the atrocity that was slavery in the south.
Socially the Civil War completely changed the American public. In the years preceding
the first shots being fired on Fort Sumter the dialogue was taking a turn towards secession and
war. The South felt that any legislation limiting the existence and expansion of slavery was
against their state rights. Many in the North did not agree with slavery, but almost took the role
of appeasement, trying not to ignite the powder keg that was discussion on ending slavery. This
is not to say that the North agreed with slavery, but to emphasize the disagreement of how to
effectively deal with the issue, especially in border states such as Missouri and Maryland.
Lincoln himself pushed hard for preserving the Union in his first Inaugural Address. In it he
states very clearly that he does not want a war with the south, and his election in no way signals
a direct threat to the institution of slavery. He did not intend on the federal government taking
away Southerners “property,” and would uphold the laws of returning fugitive slaves to their
owners (Lincoln, 1861). Lincoln’s main focus was on preserving the union. He did not see how
after a Civil War where the two parties involved would still be joined together physically could
survive. His only reasoning for entertaining the idea of war was to preserve the Union, which he
felt was his obligation as President under the Constitution (Lincoln, 1861).
This idea was what many Union soldiers said they were fighting for in the early years of
the war. To many Union soldiers, “few mentioned hostility towards slavery as the reason for
enlisting (Masur p.35)”. Many generally spoke of preserving the union and about liberty (Masur

3. p. 35). To the south however, it was a war against an oppressive government and oppressive
northerners who was trying to change their ways of survival (Masur p. 36). The south viewed
slavery as important as it did cotton. It was their livelihood, and without it there was no way to
survive. As it quickly became apparent that the war was not going to end quickly, and the
gruesome reality of the war began setting in, it began to become difficult to rationalize the war.
Lincoln saw this, and he began to shift the focus of the war from just preserving the union, to
taking up the social cause of ending the practice of slavery in America.
In authorizing the Emancipation Proclamation, Lincoln turned the Civil War’s focus from
just preserving the Union to freeing slaves. The North had been losing many men and average
citizens as well as military men were beginning to lose hope. The proclamation gave them
purpose. Society went from thinking that slavery was wrong but not wanting to push the
boundaries, to focusing on freedom for slaves. While it may not have been received well by
everyone, it did give the North, both military and citizens a sense of purpose. It forced people to
look at slavery as a social issue and to look at slaves as people, not property. Lincoln continued
this rhetoric and used it throughout the rest of the war. In his famous Gettysburg Address
stating, “that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom (Lincoln, Address
Delivered at the Dedication of the Cemetary at Gettysburg, 1863).”
Another impact and positive move forward that resulted from the Civil War was the
integration of the Northern Military. Early in the war when slaves would go behind Union lines
and were not turned back, were treated as contraband, according to military rules. This allowed
them to stay behind with Union soldiers, and promised some kind of safety until the eventual
passing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Black men who had been free in the north, or were
newly free slaves, began to enlist in the military. Often times they were not on the front lines,

4. but on some occasions were formed into fighting regiments. The movie “Glory,” chronicles the
54th Massachusetts Regiment and their struggles. They deal with discrimination from men in the
all white regiments, as well as instances of not receiving proper clothing or even adequate pay.
Through their trials and tribulations they pressed on, and began to earn the respect of their peers,
as well as those of higher rank. The movie culminates in the perilous assault on Ft. Wagner, but
stories like this show how the military as a society and culture changed from the time war began
towards its ending (Zwick, 1990). The military served as a precursor to the path society was
marching down. There was initial trepidation and fear of newly freed slaves, but over time they
began to show that all they wanted was equality. And although race still plays a huge part in the
struggles we face today, the advances we as a society have made can be directly linked to the
sacrifices made by black soldiers.
It is very easy to see the negative that came from the Civil War. The hundreds of
thousands of soldiers who died, the families destroyed, and the towns changed forever should
never be forgotten. We should also look at how society changed and evolved. What was once a
war of preservation became a war to ensure freedom and equality. These changes did not come
easy, and we are still fighting many of the same issues. We do owe it to the history of the war to
understand why it was fought and to ensure we continue to evolve.

5. Works Cited
Lincoln, A. (1861, March 4). Abraham Lincoln Online. Retrieved November 2015, from First
Inagural Address: www.abrahamlincolnonline.org
Lincoln, A. (1863, November 19). Address Delivered at the Dedication of the Cemetary at
Gettysburg. Retrieved November 2015, from Univeristy of Minnesota: www.d.unm.edu
Masur, L. (2011). The Civil War. New York: Oxford Univeristy Press.
Zwick, E. (Director). (1990). Glory [Motion Picture].