Introduction
The second half of the nineteenth century was marked by a multitude of drastic societal changes in the United States. A long-brewing conflict was about to turn into bloodshed that would completely change the nation regardless of the winning side. Having a smaller population, the South faced an opponent with more tremendous technological, economic, and numeric advantages, yet the dispute did result in a war. Throughout the war’s course, the decisions and shifts in goals that were made by the Union put the United States in a perfect position for the next century’s drastic societal changes. In this essay, the plans, expectations, and outcomes of the American Civil War will be discussed, taking into account both sides of the conflict.
Goals and Expectations
The unresolvable disputes between the Confederacy and the Union have been brewing for decades. Differences were primarily stemming from the views on slavery, yet there were also challenges to the decision-making responsibilities of the federal versus state governments (Olson-Raymer). The Southern states were essentially defending themselves with no intention to take aggressive actions against the Union since they expected to be recognized as a separate entities by Britain and France (Olson-Raymer). At the same time, the Northern states were protecting civil rights as they saw them, and both initial reasons are clearly reflected in the sides’ positions during the war. In the end, both factions did want the same – freedom.
However, the Union’s war goals were changing alongside the achievements of either side. With the resources, the North had, one of the initial goals was the separation of the South from the rest of the world economically (Olson-Raymer). It was an attempt to force reconciliation, which later turned into something greater. It quickly became clear that the Confederacy did not plan to give up easily, as military successes increased its will to be recognized as a separate entity (Olson-Raymer). There was a clear necessity for the Union to adjust goals and incorporate a more “radical” ideology to advance its cause.
Expectations were also shifting, as the North was not winning as fast as it thought it could. The ingenious move was the announcement of the new goal – the creation of a slavery-free country and world – which caused a large uproar among Southern slaves, who were running en masse from the Southern states and joining the Union (Olson-Raymer). Following the mass desertion of fields, the South became weakened and open to attack.
Outcomes
Even nowadays, the lives of the American people are greatly affected by the outcome of the Civil War. Three new amendments to the U.S. Constitution were accepted, drastically changing the lives of millions of Americans. The goals of the Union have expanded and were covering many disagreements over social and political topics in the country. First of all, freed people became an inseparable part of the United States, breathing a new life into many cultural and political aspects of the nation’s identity. One of the main traceable outcomes is the creation of Democrats and Republicans, who continue to oppose each other fiercely (Towner). Moreover, technological advancements necessary during wartime, such as the telegraph, were adapted well into regular usage (Towner). Other adjustments, such as the land grants and transportation system expansion, benefitted the vast majority of U.S. citizens and freedmen alike. The primary outcome of this war was the increased unity of the United States as one nation (Towner). There were inevitable adverse effects, but such a restructuring required destruction in the name of the just cause.
For the South, however, the loss meant the inevitable decline of the traditional way of living. Viewed as the reinvention of freedom, the outcome led to the reconstruction of the Southern states that were in complete disarray (Anderson 235). The ideas of the necessity to uphold white supremacy were born out of fear of change, leading to the creation of the Ku Klux Klan and similar groups (Anderson 240). This inability to accept loss remains deeply seated in the minds of some, causing violent incidents based on one’s race to occur in the country more often than could have been imagined.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the American Civil War brought destruction to the homes of many people, yet the goals the North achieved allowed the country to move into the Industrial Era with greater prospects and hopes. The United States has passed a defining moment with great success, which enabled them to begin adapting societal norms to a new regime based on social rights and freedoms for everyone, even those outside of the scope of U.S. citizens. The growing acceptance of Black communities among U.S. citizens was, perhaps, the most critical turn for society. These changes were not accepted universally, making racial and class struggles continue up to today and separating society into smaller communities. The shifts in war objectives of the North reflect the nation’s maturity and the ability to make the correct long-term decisions that made the United States the leader of the world.
Works Cited
Anderson, Paul C. A Short History of the American Civil War. Bloomsbury Publishing, 2019.
Olson-Raymer, Gayle. “Civil War.” Web.
Towner, Betsy. “8 Ways the Civil War Affects Us Today.” AARP, Web.