American Civil War Essay: Freedom, Reconstruction, and Impact

This essay delves into the American Civil War, examining its profound impact on American society and the world. It focuses on the war's significance in abolishing slavery and the subsequent Reconstruction era, exploring how the conflict redefined freedom and human rights. The analysis centers around Eric Foner's 'Voices of Freedom,' highlighting the war's role in shaping political definitions and the evolving meanings of freedom. The essay discusses the casualties, the role of President Abraham Lincoln, and the challenges during Reconstruction, including the struggles for African-American rights and the amendments to the constitution. It also touches upon the role of black soldiers and the efforts to restore peace and equality, ultimately concluding that the Civil War represented a 'new birth of freedom' and a victory for human rights, changing the course of history and leading to moral victories and equal status for all citizens.

Running head: HISTORY ESSAY
History Essay
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author’s Note

1HISTORY ESSAY
The American Civil war that started in 1861 and lasted for around four consecutive years
had a great significance in the history of the world (O'Leary, Cecilia Elizabeth 2010, pp. 50-60).
The importance of the war is unprecedented since it was fought against one of the gravest social
evils of the country – Slave abolishment. The success of the civil war was followed by the
amendments in the constitution and reserving rights for the black people. However, the war cost
many lives and destruction of properties that made it one of the bloodiest wars in history. This
essay will primarily focus on the impact of the war and how it is being represented as “new birth
of freedom” (Foner 2008, 87-94). The analysis will revolve around the book “Voices of
Freedom” written by Eric Foner.
Voices of Freedom represents the outbreak of the civil war and how it changed the
political definition of the country. It is marked by the idea of freedom and how it has gradually
developed new meanings in the context of the American Revolution and the Cold war, including
the Civil War. The civil war had a great impact on American society as it essentially abolished
the long term slavery movement that was prevalent. The casualties in the war crossed 650,000
including an additional of 260,000 confederates (Foner 2008, 87-94). The then president of
America, Abraham Lincoln, who was from the Republic party, was the major architect of the
revolution and is considered one of the heroic persons in the history of America.
The chapter also touches the early reconstruction phase of America after the civil war
which was marked by the terrifying history of the bloodshed, murder, rape and the slaughtering
of the African-American people. The change in the entire structure of the country’s legislature
followed by the freedom of the black people ushered in a new era, which is popularly known as
“The birth of the New Nation” by President Lincoln himself. The south specifically was the
nucleus of the pro-slavery citizens, and therefore, the reconstruction phase was primarily focused

2HISTORY ESSAY
on this part. Moreover, the amendments in the constitution abolished the practice of slavery
officially. The book also poses some serious questions regarding the role of the black soldiers for
the confederacy. Despite the force imposed by Lincoln, the south tried to enforce the cruel laws
that would make the old social structure relevant. However, the laws were finally amended with
Mississippi being the first state to give equal rights to the African-American people (Gallagher,
Gary pp. 99). The reconstruction movement was also marked by the various efforts taken on the
part of the government to restore peace, for instance, The Bureau of Refugees and the
Freedman’s Bureau to extend a helping hand towards the former slaves. These efforts were
directed towards achieving educational, health, and land restoration rights of the black people.
Although the Congress legislation brought the Civil Rights Act of the 1866, the state kept black
code laws which described the free black people as the second class citizens (Arjona 2015, 44-
50). The amendment included the civil liberties of the black citizens regarding the freedom for
buying and selling properties, equal treatment and the right to make contracts. It was finally
amended in 1866.
The chapter 14 of the book points out one of the most significant aspects. It also shows
that the war has been fought not only for slavery, but for the south’s determination to preserve
state sovereignty against the very powerful nation. (Foner, Eric pp.208)
In regard to the Reconstruction, it should also be noted that the first reconstruction act
was brought in the year of 1967 where the black people were allowed to vote for the first time in
the US history (Foner 2008, 87-94). The war led to the unity and indivisibility of the country’s
status, followed by the joining in the worldwide movement for the creation of consolidated
states. The impact of the civil war was far-fetched. The other changes that took place after the
war was the success of free labour and rapid industrial growth (Gallagher 2016, pp.45-60).

3HISTORY ESSAY
Though it was perceived as the victory of the armies of the Union, it can be said, after much
analysis and controversies that the success lies in the hands of the Union.
The victory of the civil war led to the restructuring of the political and the civil rights of
the people, thereby implying success of morality and restoration of social justice. The freedom of
the black people from the indomitable suffering and widespread discrimination was eliminated,
and human rights were recognized (Snowman, Daniel 2007 pp. 42-50). The victory can also be
conferred on Abraham Lincoln who has an unparalleled contribution to the achievement of
freedom. He had numerous plans regarding the reconstruction; however, he was assassinated
untimely after the victory of the American civil war. The “new birth of freedom” which changed
the course of history is truly significant in the world’s history as it brought in the victory of the
human race. The equal status was given to all the citizens irrespective of the race, thereby
leading to moral victory and the freedom from the oppression. Thereby, it can be aptly concluded
that the Civil war represented new freedom, especially for the entire humanity and the restoration
of human rights.

4HISTORY ESSAY
References and Bibliography
Arjona, Ana, Nelson Kasfir, and Zachariah Mampilly, eds. Rebel governance in civil war.
Cambridge University Press, 2015.
Foner, Eric, and David S. Tanenhaus. "The Original Intent of the Fourteenth Amendment: A
Conversation with Eric Foner." Nev. LJ 6 (2005): 425.
Foner, Eric, ed. Voices of freedom: A documentary history. Vol. 2. WW Norton & Company
Incorporated, 2008.
Foner, Eric. "Voices of Freedom." (2008).
Foner, Eric. Gateway to Freedom: The Hidden History of America's Fugitive Slaves. Oxford
University Press, 2015.
Gallagher, Gary W. The American Civil War: The War in the East 1861-May 1863. Routledge,
2016.
O'Leary, Cecilia Elizabeth. "Eric Foner, The Story of American Freedom (New York: Norton,
1998). Eric Foner, Voices of Freedom (Norton, 2010) Susan Armitage, Mary Jo Buhle, Daniel
Czitrom, and John Mack Faragher, Out of Many: A History of the American People, Out of
Many Document Reader."
Snowman, Daniel. "Eric Foner." In Historians, pp. 71-81. Palgrave Macmillan, London, 2007.