Tuesday, January 15, 2008 Warrior Women of the Civil War
The Civil war, one of the most famous wars in American history, is sometimes called the war between brothers. This is because the soldiers of the both sides were not really all that different and many times, brothers, cousins, and friends fought on opposite sides. This title, however, also gives a false impression that the war was fought completely by men.
Although many still believe this, it is just not true. Many women helped the war by serving as nurses, vivandieres, sutlers, spies, and even soldiers. In fact, it has been documented that more than 400 women became soldiers in the Civil war.
They could not, however, do so openly, because of the suffocated role of women at that time. Because of this, women had to become soldiers by disguising themselves as men.
It seems that a women disguised as a man would be easily recognized, especially if she were to join the army. However, it was really not that hard. The physical examinations that were done on incoming recruits were poorly conducted, sometimes only requiring the recruit to be able to fire a weapon or open a mini ball cartridge. Also, there was no previous experience required, so women, for once, were not at a disadvantage.
It is still curious to note that most women were not recognized even while living in such close quarters, surrounded by men. This is most likely a result of the fact that the men of this time period were biased about the physical, emotional, and intellectual abilities of women. The thought of a woman soldier did not even cross many men's minds and many women were thought to be simply very young men.
Women had many different reasons for becoming soldiers. Many did so after a loved one, usually a husband, had gone to war. Some women thought that it was their wifely duty to follow their husbands into battle.
Others envied their brother's and husband's brave attempts to help end the war. The sanitary fairs and soldier's-aid societies that were open to women were just not enough for some. These women became soldiers to fill a need for adventure and independence.
This reasoning was not looked upon as kindly as wifely devotion. Many times the women soldiers were depicted by newspaper stories as immoral.
Jefferson Davis (1808-1889), first and only president of the Confederate States of America (1861-1865).
Davis was born on June 3, 1808, in Christian (now Todd) County, Kentucky, and educated at Transylvania University, Lexington, Kentucky, and at the U.S. Military Academy. After his graduation in 1828, he saw frontier service until ill health forced his resignation from the army in 1835.
He was a planter in Mississippi from 1835 to 1845, when he was elected to the U.S. Congress. In 1846 he resigned his seat in order to serve in the Mexican War and fought at Monterrey and Buena Vista, where he was wounded. He was U.S. senator from Mississippi from 1847 to 1851, secretary of war in the cabinet of President Franklin Pierce from 1853 to 1857, and again U.S. senator from 1857 to 1861.
As a senator he often stated his support of slavery and of states' rights, and as a cabinet member he influenced Pierce to sign the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which favored the South and increased the bitterness of the struggle over slavery.
In his second term as senator he became the acknowledged spokesman for the Southern point of view. He opposed the idea of secession from the Union, however, as a means of maintaining the principles of the South.
Even after the first steps toward secession had been taken, he tried to keep the Southern states in the Union, although not at the expense of their principles. When the state of Mississippi seceded, he withdrew from the Senate.
On February 18, 1861, the provisional Congress of the Confederate States made him provisional president. He was elected to the office by popular vote the same year for a 6-year term and was inaugurated in Richmond, Virginia, the capital of the Confederacy, on February 22, 1862.
Davis failed to raise sufficient money to fight the American Civil War and could not obtain recognition and help for the Confederacy from foreign governments. He was in constant conflict with extreme exponents of the doctrine of states' rights, and his attempts to have high military officers appointed by the president were opposed by the governors of the states.
The judges of state courts constantly interfered in military matters through judicial decisions. Davis was nevertheless responsible for the raising of the formidable Confederate armies, the notable appointment of General Robert E. Lee as commander of the Army of Virginia, and the encouragement of industrial enterprise throughout the South.
His zeal, energy, and faith in the cause of the South were a source of much of the tenacity with which the Confederacy fought the Civil War. Even in 1865 Davis still hoped the South would be able to achieve its independence, but at last he realized defeat was imminent and fled from Richmond.
On May 10, 1865, federal troops captured him at Irwinville, Georgia. From 1865 to 1867 he was imprisoned at Fortress Monroe, Virginia. Davis was indicted for treason in 1866 but the next year was released on a bond of $100,000 signed by the American newspaper publisher Horace Greeley and other influential Northerners.
In 1868 the federal government dropped the case against him. From 1870 to 1878 he engaged in a number of unsuccessful business enterprises; and from 1878 until his death in New Orleans, on December 6, 1889, he lived near Biloxi, Mississippi. His grave is in Richmond, Virginia. He wrote The Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government (1881).
1. Jefferson Davis graduated from the U. S. Military Academy (West Point) and served in the army for seven years. True or False?
2. Jefferson Davis served twice as a Senator from the state of Mississippi. True or False?
3. Though he had strong southern views J. Davis did not support the idea of secession. True or false?
4. In what year did J. Davis realize that the southern cause was lost?
5. How long was J. Davis in prison?
6. The U.S. government eventually dropped the teason charges against Jefferson Davis. True or false?
7. The drawing below shows the capture of Confederate President Jefferson Davis. Look closely at the image. What is "strange" about the drawing?
Visit this website to read about the capturing of Jefferson Davis.
http://www.civilwarhistory.com/101899/DavisCapture/jefferson_davis_capture.htm
8. Who was the one and only President of the confederacy?
The slavery question overshadowed all others in the presidential election year of 1860. John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry a year earlier had brought the great American debate over slavery to a breaking point.
Use the following links to answer the questions about this pivotal presidential election. Remember to copy and paste the title of this posting into the title box of your post. Also remember to number your questions.
In the first three questions the answers should match the previous questions letter. For example, 1.a. Candidate A should match 2.a. Candidate A's Party Affiliation which should match 3.a. Party A's Platform.
1. Name the four candidates running for president in 1860.
a.
b.
c.
d.
2. Name the political party affiliation of each of the above candidates.
a.
b.
c.
d.
3. State the party "platform" or basic philosophy of each of the above parties.
a.
b.
c.
d.
4. Name the candidates and indicate the percentage (%) of the popular vote that each one received. List from the most (a.) to the least (d.).
a.
b.
c.
d.
5. List the candidate, the number of electoral votes they collected and what states they won. (For example: Candidate A - 67 - Michigan, Montana, New York.)
a.
b.
c.
d.
Use these links (or use your own search method):
http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761567354_3/Civil_War.html
http://www.multied.com/elections/1860.html
http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h92.html
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/showelection.php?year=1860
http://blueandgraytrail.com/event/The_Election_of_1860
Visit the link below to find out what it may have been like to journey on the Underground Railroad. Select "No" on any page that has a "No" option, such as "No, I'll stay here" or "No, I'll hide in the woods". You will need to do this to answer some of the following qustions. Ask for help if you do not understand.
Good Luck on your journey to FREEDOM!
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/railroad/
1. How did the slaves that did not run away fight slavery?
2. Who was the "Black Moses" and what did she do?
3. What did the "hitching post" mean?
4. Who was Thomas Garret?
5. Who was William Still?
6. What two people might you meet in Rochester?
7. What did the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 allow?
8. What are the new challenges you face in Canada?
1. What does Tecumseh mean in English (more than one possibility)?
2. When and where was Tecumseh born?
3. What did Tecumseh say when GENERAL WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON tried to get Tecumseh to sell him part of the Shawnee tribal land?
4. What did Tecumseh want the members of his tribe to reject?
5. What did Tecumseh try to form?
6. Name at least three tribes that he attempted to join together.
7. Which side of the War of 1812 did Tecumseh join?
8. How did Tecumseh die?
http://www.danielnpaul.com/ChiefTecumseh-Shawnee.html
Women more commonly donned uniforms by joining local companies organized for home defense. While the reasoning for this usually stemmed from hatred and fear of the enemy, the basis of some organizations was the view that women had the right to bear arms as well and could even perform as officers better than men.
Although the penalty, if caught, was to be arrested and treated as a criminal, many women still risked it. However, because these women were enlisted under aliases, records are very scarce.
Unfortunately, there are probably many more women soldiers that are just not known about because they were forced to keep their true identity a secret. These women fought and died in battle to help unite our country and make it what it is today.
1- List five (5) ways that women helped the war effort.
2- About how many women served as soldiers during the Civil War?
3- The government did not allow women to join the military so how were women able to become soldiers?
4- What were some of the reasons women joined the military?
5- What could happen to a women if they were "discovered" in the army?
6- What is being planned to recognize the accomplishments of these fighting women?
It is sad that our country has been so slow in recognizing the great accomplishments of these women. This too is changing, however. There will soon be a memorial to all of the brave women who fought in the Civil War.
Read and answer.
1- List five (5) ways that women helped the war effort.
2- About how many women served as soldiers during the Civil War?
3- The government did not allow women to join the military so how were women able to become soldiers?
4- What were some of the reasons women joined the military?
5- What could happen to a women if they were "discovered" in the army?
6- What is being planned to recognize the accomplishments of these fighting women?
posted by Mr. Attila Matusek @ 8:15 PM
0 Comments
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Tuesday, January 8, 2008 African-Americans Fight for the Cause of Freedom
In 1862, President Lincoln's EmancipationProclamation opened the door for African Americans to enlist in the Union Army. Although many had wanted to join the war effort earlier, they were prohibited from enlisting by a federal law dating back to 1792.
President Lincoln had also feared that if he authorized their recruitment, border states would secede from the Union. By the end of the war, approximately 180,000 African-American soldiers had joined the fight.
In addition to the problems of war faced by all soldiers, African-American soldiers faced additional difficulties created by racial prejudice. Although many served in the infantry and artillery, discriminatory practices resulted in large numbers of African-American soldiers being assigned to perform non-combat, support duties as cooks, laborers, and teamsters.
African-American soldiers were paid $10 per month, from which $3 was deducted for clothing. White soldiers were paid $13 per month, from which no clothing allowance was deducted. If captured by the Confederate Army, African-American soldiers confronted a much greater threat than did their white counterparts.
In spite of their many hardships, African-American soldiers served the Union Army well and distinguished themselves in many battles. Of their service to the nation Frederick Douglass said, "Once let the black man get upon his person the brass letters U.S., let him get an eagle on his button, and a musket on his shoulder and bullets in his pockets, and there is no power on earth which can deny that he has earned the right of citizenship in the United States."
African-American soldiers comprised about 10 percent of the Union Army. It is estimated that one-third of all African Americans who enlisted lost their lives.
The answers to these questions can be found in the article above. Don't forget to copy and paste the title of this blog into your "post". Read carefully.
President Lincoln had also feared that if he authorized their recruitment, border states would secede from the Union. By the end of the war, approximately 180,000 African-American soldiers had joined the fight.
In addition to the problems of war faced by all soldiers, African-American soldiers faced additional difficulties created by racial prejudice. Although many served in the infantry and artillery, discriminatory practices resulted in large numbers of African-American soldiers being assigned to perform non-combat, support duties as cooks, laborers, and teamsters.
African-American soldiers were paid $10 per month, from which $3 was deducted for clothing. White soldiers were paid $13 per month, from which no clothing allowance was deducted. If captured by the Confederate Army, African-American soldiers confronted a much greater threat than did their white counterparts.
In spite of their many hardships, African-American soldiers served the Union Army well and distinguished themselves in many battles. Of their service to the nation Frederick Douglass said, "Once let the black man get upon his person the brass letters U.S., let him get an eagle on his button, and a musket on his shoulder and bullets in his pockets, and there is no power on earth which can deny that he has earned the right of citizenship in the United States."
African-American soldiers comprised about 10 percent of the Union Army. It is estimated that one-third of all African Americans who enlisted lost their lives.
The answers to these questions can be found in the article above. Don't forget to copy and paste the title of this blog into your "post". Read carefully.
1. Why did President Lincoln fear recruitment of African-American soldiers?
2. The Black soldiers wanted to fight but they were often assigned non-combat duties. What were two non-combat duties assigned to these soldiers?
3. What discrimination in pay did African-American soldiers face?
4. What percentage of the army was made up of African-American soldiers?
5. Approximately how many African-American soldiers served in the Civil War?
Just for fun, look carefully at the painting above. The painting illustrates something that was true about all the African-American troops. Do you think you know what it is?
posted by Mr. Attila Matusek @ 6:10 AM
0 Comments
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Monday, January 7, 2008 The One and Only: Jefferson Davis
Jefferson Davis (1808-1889), first and only president of the Confederate States of America (1861-1865).
Davis was born on June 3, 1808, in Christian (now Todd) County, Kentucky, and educated at Transylvania University, Lexington, Kentucky, and at the U.S. Military Academy. After his graduation in 1828, he saw frontier service until ill health forced his resignation from the army in 1835.
He was a planter in Mississippi from 1835 to 1845, when he was elected to the U.S. Congress. In 1846 he resigned his seat in order to serve in the Mexican War and fought at Monterrey and Buena Vista, where he was wounded. He was U.S. senator from Mississippi from 1847 to 1851, secretary of war in the cabinet of President Franklin Pierce from 1853 to 1857, and again U.S. senator from 1857 to 1861.
As a senator he often stated his support of slavery and of states' rights, and as a cabinet member he influenced Pierce to sign the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which favored the South and increased the bitterness of the struggle over slavery.
In his second term as senator he became the acknowledged spokesman for the Southern point of view. He opposed the idea of secession from the Union, however, as a means of maintaining the principles of the South.
Even after the first steps toward secession had been taken, he tried to keep the Southern states in the Union, although not at the expense of their principles. When the state of Mississippi seceded, he withdrew from the Senate.
On February 18, 1861, the provisional Congress of the Confederate States made him provisional president. He was elected to the office by popular vote the same year for a 6-year term and was inaugurated in Richmond, Virginia, the capital of the Confederacy, on February 22, 1862.
Davis failed to raise sufficient money to fight the American Civil War and could not obtain recognition and help for the Confederacy from foreign governments. He was in constant conflict with extreme exponents of the doctrine of states' rights, and his attempts to have high military officers appointed by the president were opposed by the governors of the states.
The judges of state courts constantly interfered in military matters through judicial decisions. Davis was nevertheless responsible for the raising of the formidable Confederate armies, the notable appointment of General Robert E. Lee as commander of the Army of Virginia, and the encouragement of industrial enterprise throughout the South.
His zeal, energy, and faith in the cause of the South were a source of much of the tenacity with which the Confederacy fought the Civil War. Even in 1865 Davis still hoped the South would be able to achieve its independence, but at last he realized defeat was imminent and fled from Richmond.
On May 10, 1865, federal troops captured him at Irwinville, Georgia. From 1865 to 1867 he was imprisoned at Fortress Monroe, Virginia. Davis was indicted for treason in 1866 but the next year was released on a bond of $100,000 signed by the American newspaper publisher Horace Greeley and other influential Northerners.
In 1868 the federal government dropped the case against him. From 1870 to 1878 he engaged in a number of unsuccessful business enterprises; and from 1878 until his death in New Orleans, on December 6, 1889, he lived near Biloxi, Mississippi. His grave is in Richmond, Virginia. He wrote The Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government (1881).
1. Jefferson Davis graduated from the U. S. Military Academy (West Point) and served in the army for seven years. True or False?
2. Jefferson Davis served twice as a Senator from the state of Mississippi. True or False?
3. Though he had strong southern views J. Davis did not support the idea of secession. True or false?
4. In what year did J. Davis realize that the southern cause was lost?
5. How long was J. Davis in prison?
6. The U.S. government eventually dropped the teason charges against Jefferson Davis. True or false?
7. The drawing below shows the capture of Confederate President Jefferson Davis. Look closely at the image. What is "strange" about the drawing?
Visit this website to read about the capturing of Jefferson Davis.
http://www.civilwarhistory.com/101899/DavisCapture/jefferson_davis_capture.htm
8. Who was the one and only President of the confederacy?
posted by Mr. Attila Matusek @ 5:03 AM
0 Comments
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Thursday, January 3, 2008 The Election of 1860
The slavery question overshadowed all others in the presidential election year of 1860. John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry a year earlier had brought the great American debate over slavery to a breaking point.
Use the following links to answer the questions about this pivotal presidential election. Remember to copy and paste the title of this posting into the title box of your post. Also remember to number your questions.
In the first three questions the answers should match the previous questions letter. For example, 1.a. Candidate A should match 2.a. Candidate A's Party Affiliation which should match 3.a. Party A's Platform.
1. Name the four candidates running for president in 1860.
a.
b.
c.
d.
2. Name the political party affiliation of each of the above candidates.
a.
b.
c.
d.
3. State the party "platform" or basic philosophy of each of the above parties.
a.
b.
c.
d.
4. Name the candidates and indicate the percentage (%) of the popular vote that each one received. List from the most (a.) to the least (d.).
a.
b.
c.
d.
5. List the candidate, the number of electoral votes they collected and what states they won. (For example: Candidate A - 67 - Michigan, Montana, New York.)
a.
b.
c.
d.
Use these links (or use your own search method):
http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761567354_3/Civil_War.html
http://www.multied.com/elections/1860.html
http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h92.html
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/showelection.php?year=1860
http://blueandgraytrail.com/event/The_Election_of_1860
posted by Mr. Attila Matusek @ 2:17 AM
0 Comments
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Monday, December 17, 2007 Presidential Trivia
When discussing the U. S. Presidents, history books focus on the important events of the day and how a given President handled them. This activity looks at the Presidents in a less serious way. I hope this "trivia" based way of looking at the Presidents will help you "see" them in more human terms. I'll start out with some interesting facts and then you'll seek out the answers to some trivia on your own.
The heaviest President was William Howard Taft (1909-13), who sometimes tipped the scales at more than 300 pounds (136 kilograms) during his tenure. After he became stuck in the White House bathtub, Taft ordered a new one installed. The replacement was big enough to hold four grown men of average size. (Above is a political cartoon concerning President Taft).
Benjamin Harrison (1889-93), the 23nd President, was the first President to attend a baseball game. He saw the Cincinnati Reds beat the Washington Senators 7 to 4 on June 6, 1892.
George Washington (1789-1797), Thomas Jefferson (1801-09), and John Adams (1797-1801) were all avid collectors and players of marbles.
John Kerry's hometown newspaper, the Lowell Sun, endorsed George W. Bush for president. Bush's hometown newspaper, the Lone Star Iconoclast, endorsed John Kerry for president?
Jimmy Carter once reported a UFO in Georgia?
Now visit the following web site and answer these questions:
1. How many Presidents have also been military generals?
2. Who was our tallest President (how tall?)?
3. Which Presidents appear on paper money? (Hint: There are nine of them)
4. Use google to find out which bill each of the nine former Presidents can be found on.
5. Which presidents have been assassinated in office?
6. How much money does the President get paid?
7. Which President had the most children?
8. What seven "heritages" or ethnic background mix have all the Presidents come from?
9. How many Presidents never attended college?
10. Who and how old were the oldest and youngest elected presidents?
posted by Mr. Attila Matusek @ 6:08 PM
0 Comments
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Thursday, December 13, 2007 The Underground Railroad
Visit the link below to find out what it may have been like to journey on the Underground Railroad. Select "No" on any page that has a "No" option, such as "No, I'll stay here" or "No, I'll hide in the woods". You will need to do this to answer some of the following qustions. Ask for help if you do not understand.
Good Luck on your journey to FREEDOM!
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/railroad/
1. How did the slaves that did not run away fight slavery?
2. Who was the "Black Moses" and what did she do?
3. What did the "hitching post" mean?
4. Who was Thomas Garret?
5. Who was William Still?
6. What two people might you meet in Rochester?
7. What did the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 allow?
8. What are the new challenges you face in Canada?
posted by Mr. Attila Matusek @ 5:27 PM
0 Comments
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Monday, December 10, 2007 Chief Tecumseh
Tecumseh whose given name might be more accurately rendered as Tecumtha or Tekamthi, was a famous Shawnee leader. He spent much of his life attempting to rally different Native American tribes in a mutual defense of their lands, which eventually led to his death in the War of 1812.
Use the links below to read more about Tecumseh and answer the following questions:
1. What does Tecumseh mean in English (more than one possibility)?
2. When and where was Tecumseh born?
3. What did Tecumseh say when GENERAL WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON tried to get Tecumseh to sell him part of the Shawnee tribal land?
4. What did Tecumseh want the members of his tribe to reject?
5. What did Tecumseh try to form?
6. Name at least three tribes that he attempted to join together.
7. Which side of the War of 1812 did Tecumseh join?
8. How did Tecumseh die?
http://www.danielnpaul.com/ChiefTecumseh-Shawnee.html
posted by Mr. Attila Matusek @ 3:03 PM
0 Comments
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Previous Posts
- Tuesday, January 15, 2008 Warrior Women of the Civ...
- Tuesday, January 8, 2008 African-Americans Fight f...
- Monday, January 7, 2008 The One and Only: Jefferso...
- Thursday, January 3, 2008 The Election of 1860
- Monday, December 17, 2007 Presidential Trivia
- Thursday, December 13, 2007 The Underground Railroad
- Monday, December 10, 2007 Chief Tecumseh
- Monday, December 3, 2007 The Louisiana Purchase
- Monday, November 26, 2007 The Most and Least Repre...
- Friday, November 16, 2007 The Three Branches of th...
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