Women in the Civil War played pivotal roles. Women who wanted to be soldiers found it very easy to join the military. They would reinvent themselves as men. The women who passed as men prior to the war were largely motivated to adopt male identies because of their legal, social, and economic status. The women who were living as men before the war were seeking economic opportunities and social privileges that were untainable. They were able to take male power, and male independence.
I think that this shows the devotion the women had for their country. They were willing to do whatever it took to defend their nation. For some women, she would do nothing less than being a soldier. Some of the more daring women served as local scouts and spies. Thousands of women aided the soldier by contributing clothing and supplies. Some women actually asked permission to join in the conflict. Some women soldiers had a hard time enlisting. Every single women in the army was a willing volunteer. Women joined the army for the same reasons the males did: to be with loved ones, to get away from home, for the bounties and the pay, and because they were patriotic. Some women disguised themselves as a man and enlisted for a way to escape social restrictions placed on women.
I think many women took advantage of this. Not only would they be defending their nation, they would be able to stay with their husbands, brothers, sweethearts, whomever. A small number of woman used the war to escape from prostitution. For poor, working-class, and farm women, pay was important to sign up. Regardless of background, many women enjoyed the adventure and freedom of being away from home. Regardless of women's initial motivation, once they became members, they had to remain there. I think that puts women into a difficult role, but it was a position that they put themselves into.
Kate
1 comment:
Bashar: I agree with Kate’s take on women in the civil war. Women did make a great deal of contribution to the war by serving as soldiers, nurses, and working factory jobs (such as making clothes for the soldiers). I don’t think that the women’s greatest contribution to the war was serving as soldiers; that’s not what they should be remembered for. While its true that a few women did join the army, that’s all it was: just a few women. Where the women really helped was in the hospitals as nurses. Sally Tompkins (for example) was promoted to Captain by Jefferson Davis for her work as head of one of the hospitals in the Confederacy. Clara Barton was a nurse during the war for the Union and she later founded the Red Cross. Founding the Red Cross is a very impressive accomplishment; the Red Cross is probably the best known, helpful, and organized foundations in America. Women of the war also made clothes (such as the much needed shoes and socks) and other supplies, which were very helpful for the Union. Overall, women were very helpful for the Union war effort.
Bashar Dimitry
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