18 Objects in 3 Days
By Prasant Moturu, Richmond Aisabor, and Matt Rich
Prasant Moturu
Railroads
As evident by the picture the north and the south had large differences in opinion most likely due to the fact that it was very difficult to communicate. Considering there were no telephones at the time, the way word spread was by going over land wether it be via person or mail. The North had an intricate railroad system that allowed them to communicate and connected them to the far west however they were not connected very well to the south. This gap in communication helped increase the tensions that eventually led to the civil war
Industry
The north had booming factories that helped them a large part in the war. They could create more supplies and have a more sustainable economy due to all the goods that they were creating. The south was also angered about the fact that women were being mistreated in northern factories but at the same time the north was angered about slavery. However in the end it did not matter as the northern factories gave it a huge advantage over the south in the war.
Telegraph
The telegraph is an invention that really made the civil war the "First Modern War." The north and the south were able to communicate within their camps over distances allowing them to adjust their war strategies based on what they saw on the battlefield. This communication modernized war and eventually may have provided an advantage for the north. The telegraph was revolutionary and just another part of what became a war that would not be forgotten
Battle of Chancellorsville
The battle was a major battle of the Civil War. This picture for one is a famous one that is hanging in one of the Smithsonian's in Washington D.C. The battle fitted General Lee's army at half the size of the northern army. The battle is considered as "Lee's" perfect battle because of his risky decision to divide his army in the presence of a much larger enemy force resulted in a significant Confederate victory. The battle is also famous for General Stonewall Jackson losing his right arm
Battle of Antietam
Also known as the battle of Sharpsburg is the first significant battle to be fought on Union soil. This battle was very important in that it was a crucial northern victory that gave the north large amounts of confidence. Following the momentum that followed this war, Lincoln gave his Emancipation Proclamation speech so it did not appear as if he was giving it out of desperation. This is similar to a football team getting new helmets after a big win to boost morale and gain momentum
Battle of Gettysburg
(The picture to the left shows the bombing of Hiroshima)
Richmond Aisabor
Women of the North & South
Women in the civil war factory
The war was hard on women and their children across the united States. As the men left women had to cross gender roles, proving that women are more capable than society views them. Women would have to work in factories in the north and managing plantations in the south. This picture was picked because it depicts the type of work they did.Northern Whites & Blacks
African American Union Soldiers
During the war many northern whites were skeptical about free blacks being affective soldiers due to prejudices. However. they turned out to be very good and worked well.The photo accurately shows and african american doing well and attacking an enemy at war. Proving that african americans were good soldiers
Making Do
Trading ship
The 18th century ship represents trade, but during the war there was a big lack of it. The north stop commerce with the south, also the confederate economy was failing due to the cost of the war.This photo is an accurate portrayal of the ships at the time which is why it was chosen.
Pacifism
The object is a meeting of quakers who along with the 49ers were groups in America who objected to the civil war. Quakers rejected it for religious reasons and did not believe in violence. Quakers did
Black Civil War Experiences
The object shows the desperate attempts by African Americans to flee slavery and go to the north during the scrambles of war. Many Blacks felt this was the best time to flee where they could go unnoticed. Allot of them stayed in contraband camps when they arrived.
Injuries/Death/Battle Field Medicine
Dead corpses In the aftermath
The civil war was very brutal, the object displays the tragic, and horrible reality of the civil war. One in four soldiers died fighting, 66.7% of which were caused by disease. THis shows that the sanitation level at the time was not as advanced as today. Some of the most common medical procedures were bleeding and amputation.Matt Rich
Motivation for Fighting
This is the object chosen for the motivation for fighting because it shows the main motivations of the North and South during this time. When you get down to the roots of the civil war, you find that the South needs cotton to survive and Slaves are needed as cheap labor to keep up with the demand. Unfortunately for the South, but fortunately for the world today, the North found Slavery intolerable.
Life Between Battles
Troops in the Civil War
This picture shows troops during the civil war sitting on a hill with ammunition. I used this picture as the object of Life between battles because it shows that there were very few happy times during the war. Especially for the confederates, life was brutal because of the lack of resources. Many died of starvation and sickness and the wounded were everywhere.
Northern Black Soldiers
Black Union Soldiers
180000+ Black soldiers fought for the Union and though slavery was not legal, Racism was still prevalent in almost all aspects of American society, especially on the battlefield. I chose this picture because it is known that there were many black squadrents in the War that were a part of the Union and it shows that there is still racism in America despite the removal of slavery.
Blacks in Confederate Army
Black soldiers in confederate army
The South decided to let slaves become free if they fought for the Confederate army. The south only had about 4,000 troops that were black. The south needed most slaves back home working to support the war efforts. A big problem was that black troops would desert and fight for the north or become rebel soldiers. I used this picture as an object to show the unfaithfulness that most slaves had for the confederate army.
Robert E Lee
Lee’s Uniform
As the object for Robert E. Lee, I chose his uniform that he wore in battle because it represents his military background. He graduated from West Point and was from a military family. The uniform also symbolises the entirety of the Confederate army.
Lincoln
Emancipation Proclamation
Issued on January 1st, 1863 by Abraham Lincoln, the emancipation proclamation was an executive decision intended to fight slavery in America and to specifically hurt the confederacy. I think that this object represents Lincoln in a very good way because it symbolizes his disapproval of slavery as well as his attitude towards the south and the civil war. Lincoln also hoped that this would unify America and preserve a union in the future.