The document provides historical context on the Civil War era including the start of the war in 1850 over disagreements about slavery, and the women's suffrage movement gaining support pre-Civil War. It also outlines the values and beliefs of Southerners who favored states' rights and slavery, versus Northerners who opposed slavery and favored saving the Union. Religious beliefs and racism are discussed, with some using scripture to support slavery and segregation. Genres from the era like slave narratives, spirituals, letters, diaries, poetry, and novels exploring realism are also summarized.

1. Civil War Era Bryan A. Nicolle H. Madi M. Samantha N. Tori W. CJ W.

2. Historical Context War, Slavery, & Women’s Rights War: the civil war era began in 1850. The civil war was fought between the north & south because they disagreed on slave rights and if slavery should continue at all. Slavery: the slave trade began as early as 1560’s and gained popularity in the 1600’s. It took up until the 1800’s for it to divide the country. The north being opposed to slavery and the south being pro slavery. Women’s Rights: rights of women were put on the backburner during the civil war. Pre-civil war the women’s suffrage movement was gaining support. In 1868 women’s suffrage was put back into spotlight with the publication of “little women” by Louisa May Alcott.

3. State Values & Beliefs Southern Confederates Favored slavery Fighting 2 nd independence war Believed in living on farms and plantations Wanted to lower taxes on goods Believed in states rights

4. State Values & Beliefs Northern Union Opposed slavery Felt they were fighting the war to free slaves Made a living on factories and trade Wanted to raise taxes on European goods Believed in saving the Union.

5. Children could go to war and be around sick and dying people but could not carry weapons, their main role was to play music and some were even spies.

6. Religious Beliefs & Racism Rev. Benjamin Palmer was proslavery, and claimed that God praised slavery. Methodist Albert Bledsoe believed God put Africans on Earth for educational purposes. He was also pro-segregation. People quoted scriptures to support segregation and slavery Leviticus 25:44 “Your male and female slaves are to come from the nations around you; from them you may buy slaves.” 1 Timothy 6:1 “All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teacher may not be slandered.” Second Great Awakening period of great religious revival that extended into the antebellum period of the United States, with widespread Christian evangelism and conversions. Evangelicalism became a social movement. The New Testament emphasized the opposition of institutional authority of church.

7. Genre & Style Slave Narratives Firsthand accounts written or recounted by slaves, tales of journeys from enslavement in the south to freedom in the north, detailed records of the mental & physical oppression of the narrator. Fredrick Douglass: Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglass, an American Slave, he wrote about his experiences as an eyewitness to the brutality of slavery.

8. Genre & Style Spirituals Intensely emotional songs, developed largely from oral traditions of Africans held in slavery in the south before the civil war. Sojourner Truth: Her real name was Isabella Baumfree. She wrote speeches advocating women’s rights and denouncing slavery, she was one of the most effective orators of her time.

9. Genre & Style Letters & diaries they were constantly being written, many were published and they also show how people involved in the war really felt during the time. Poetry The emergence of free verse, with its open forms and rhythms, emphasis on individuality and self-discovery. Walt Whitman Wrote poems such as Leaves of Grass, I Hear America Singing, and A Sight in Camp in the Daybreak Gray and Dim. Whitman focused on the diversity of the nation’s people and places reflects America’s emerging identity. He used strong, direct everyday language to echo the voices of the common people.

10. Genre & Style Realism Disillusionment created by the brutality of the Civil War and the harshness of the frontier life. It was also a reaction to the social ills created by the rapid industrialization and the growth of cities. Stephen Crane He wrote the novel The Red Badge of Courage and War is Kind. He frequently used situational irony and verbal irony.

11. War is Kind by Stephen Crane Do not weep, maiden, for war is kind, Because your lover threw wild hands toward the sky And the affrighted steed ran on alone, Do not weep. War is kind. Hoarse, booming drums of the regiment, Little souls who thirst for fight, These men were born to drill and die. The unexplained glory flies above them. Great is the battle-god, great, and his kingdom-- A field where a thousand corpses lie. Do not weep, babe, for war is kind. Because your father tumbles in the yellow trenches, Raged at his breast, gulped and died, Do not weep. War is kind. Swift blazing flag of the regiment, Eagle with crest of red and gold, These men were born to drill and die. Point for them the virtue of slaughter, Make plain to them the excellence of killing And a field where a thousand corpses lie. Mother whose heart hung humble as a button On the bright splendid shroud of your son, Do not weep. War is kind.