Question/Problem 4: In what ways were people affected by the Civil War?

In many ways, the Civil War was the first modern war.

Casualties: The number of American casualties was higher in the Civil War than in any other American war. New weapons and outdated military tactics contributed to the high number of casualties.

Weapons: Technology had an impact on the high casualty figures in the war. Many new weapons were used for the first time in the Civil War. Among these were land mines, hand grenades, ironclad ships, repeating rifles, and revolving gun turrets.

Strategies: As the war progressed, military strategy was highly influenced by new technology.

1. Officers used hot-air balloons and telescopic sights to survey enemy positions.

2. The telegraph helped generals to communicate much more quickly.

3. Improvements were made in field fortifications to enable large armies to move efficiently, especially when preparing for battle.

4. Trench warfare was a war strategy that developed during the Civil War.

5. The strategy of "destructive war" was also used. Sherman's March is the best example of this. Basically, the invading army would take or destroy anything of value to insure that the enemy would not be able to use it. Railroad stations and tracks were major targets because of their ability to move troops and supplies.

6. The concept of "unconditional surrender" was also important. This meant that the army would force the enemy to surrender completely without any concessions. This would give the victors more control over the peace arrangements. Ullyses S. Grant was nicknamed "Unconditional Surrender" Grant for his use of this tactic.

7. Guerrilla warfare was common in the war. Atrocities against unarmed soldiers and civilians took place on each side.

Profiteers: Many Americans became very wealthy during the Civil War by selling food and supplies to the armies. Often times the suppliers offered inferior products at high prices. The armies were desperate for supplies and would usually pay the high prices.

Hospitals: Field hospitals were important in the Civil War. Women such as Clara Barton and Dorothea Dix played a big role in improving treatment of injured soldiers. However, medical knowledge was not advanced and many more soldiers died of disease than died in battle. The armies developed means of collecting the dead and wounded following a battle. People used dog tags to identify dead bodies on the battlefield.

Prisons: Many soldiers spent the war in prison camps. Prison conditions were not regulated. Many soldiers on both sides died while in prison. The conditions at Andersonville Prison in Georgia were especially harsh.

Photography: The new "science" of photography brought images of the war home to those far away from the battlefields. Americans experienced the horrors of the Civil War more fully than they had any previous war.

Secret Service: Elaborate spy networks were used by both sides to gain knowledge of army movements. Women and slaves played significant roles. Occasionally spies would sabotage strategic locations in enemy territory.

Personnel: Many African Americans fought in the Civil War, most in the Union army. They often but not always fought in segregated regiments. They fought courageously and some were recognized with Congressional honors.

Draft: The first draft in United States history took place in the Confederacy early in the war. Later, young men were drafted into the Union army as well. In both cases, men could pay to hire a substitute in their place. This led to protests and, in some cases, riots.