A Northern Woman's Life during the Civil War

Day 1: President Lincoln delivered the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed all slaves living in the Confederacy. My husband and I are strongly opposed to slavery, but we hope this act doesn't create mass chaos.

Day 2: My husband, a doctor, has been drafted under national law. Although he's a doctor, he will be forced to fight in battle as well as treat wounded men. The Peace Democrats are already rioting in the streets.


Day 3: Since my husband is away, I must become a teacher to support myself. It's dangerous to live alone during war, so I am moving in with my relatives.


Day 4: I've just gotten news of the First Battle of Bull Run. To the surprise and dismay of everyone, the Union troops were forced to retreat. This war will not be easily won.


Day 5: The Union army came through Gettysburg last night. I could see their campfires from my house. This afternoon, Lee lost one-third of his army during Pickett's Charge. Union morale is up; the end is near.

Women's Rights in Antebellum Society

Between 1820 and 1860, feminist reforms for women's rights formed and strengthened. As women were expected to be homemakers, the resentment against their limitations rose. Women began to feel that their social position was similar to that of slaves'. Reformers such as Catharine Beecher and Elizabeth Cady Stanton became the most prominent and outspoken members of their sex to rebel against their defined gender roles. The feminists' credo was "Men and women were created equal." In 1848, feminists convened in Seneca Falls, New York, to debate women's rights. At this meeting, the "Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions" was drafted. This document demanded complete social and political rights for females. The most important concern addressed was voting rights for women. Due to the early feminists' actions, the 1920 suffrage movement was powerful and successful.

However, the feminist reforms revealed a darker side of society. Despite the great strides women made during the 1840s, many people were overtly and immutably against their cause, particularly men. Before the feminist movement had even notably progressed, men rebuked women for their unseemly, "inappropriate" behavior, which crossed conventional lines. Furthermore, women initially had little voice in their cause since they were so stifled by men, who operated social forums and legislature. Overall, feminist reforms of the antebellum years produced few immediate results. This is primarily because slavery and abolition had become an imperative issue for the nation.

Slavery in Southern Life

Slavery was the dominating reality of all Southern life. Socially, whites believed they were superior to slaves. Even the "poor white trash" southerners considered themselves far above blacks because racially they were still a part of the ruling class. The planters, those who owned plantations and slaves, were at the top of the economic hierarchy. Because of this, they had much social power and influence. The system of slavery also profoundly affected the South's and the nation's economy. By 1860, 57% of the U.S.'s total export revenue was generated through the cotton industry- which was made possible by slave labor. The social and economic structure of the South was, in effect, brought about by the institution of slavery.