African Americans in the Civil War

Introduction
The African Americans played a key role in the Norths victory. Although they officially joined the war after the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation, they were participating in the war efforts from the beginning. The North and the South disagreed on many levels, including lifestyle, political values, customs, and social structures. Whereas the North opposed slavery and favored an industrial economy
, the South supported slavery and favored an agricultural economy. This particular topic is important in American history because it outlines the most important historical events in American history. This includes the freeing of the American Americans from bondage and the saving of the union from secession after disagreement in socioeconomic and cultural aspects.
African Americans in the Civil War
After the civil war broke out, Lincoln enacted two laws that were instrumental to placing the slavery issue at the center of the war. The second Confiscation Act of 1862 punished rebel slaveholders in liberated southern states. The Militia act of 1862 encouraged the employment of African American in the union army. The Emancipation Proclamation was paramount in the Norths victory. It enabled the Blacks to join the army and participate in the freeing of their family and friends. However, the Emancipation Proclamation did not free slaves in Border States such as Tennessee for fear they would secede. The Emancipation Proclamation did not actually free any slaves because it focused on Confederate States that were not part of the union by 1863, however, the document strengthened the Northern war effort. The Emancipation Proclamation gave the civil war a new life because they were not only fighting to maintain the unity of the country but also to free African Americans enslaved in the south. Prior to the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation European countries, such as France and Britain were ready to join the war to defend the South because they were business partners. The European nations were against human bondage and had no choice but to support the North in its effort to free African Americans in the South.
The most remarkable contribution of the African Americans in the civil war is the assault on Fort Wagner. Fort Wagner was important to the confederate soldiers and was heavily fortified. The Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Infantry carried out the assault on Fort Wagner. The Infantry comprised of Black men except for their captain Col. Robert Gould Shaw. The Infantry was undertrained and underprepared; however, this did not stop them from attacking a key base for the Confederate Army and dealing a substantial blow despite their defeat. The Fifty-fourth Infantry was outnumbered and was underequipped; however, their heroic actions demonstrated the capacity of the African Americans in battle. The African Americans served in many other capacities other than in combat. They provided intelligence to the union soldiers and served as relief workers. Mary Bowser is one such African American who used her knowledge of southern terrain to gain intelligence for the union army. She also became the first women to lead the United States Army into war, in the process freed many slaves, and destroyed plantations.
The fort Wagner event enabled the Blacks to prove themselves in the war; however, some of them were denied enlistment. Despite being denied enlistment, the Black people provided support in terms of food, clothing, and money to the union soldiers. The southern states upheld slavery and insisted that the Black people should remain their servants, however, some of the Black people in the South volunteered in the Confederate Army. In the North, the Blacks pushed for their liberation in various ways. They resisted their masters and provided services to the union soldiers, which heisted their emancipation. The thirteenth amendment freed the Black people in the country; however, it would take much hard work and sacrifice before the Blacks gained full equality in America.
Conclusion
 Slavery was the most important political issue in America during the 1850s. The southerners feared Lincoln would abolish slavery after his election as president. By 1860, the views of the North and the South were too different for any compromise to be reached and prevent a civil war. In 1860, South Carolina secedes from the union. Later in 1861 other southern states follow, which marks the beginning of the civil war.  The Blacks contributed significantly to the Civil war, especially after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.
 Works cited
Erin Beaver, Melissa Reily, and Nell Snyer. “Blacks in the Civil War. Colorado College, 1996. Web 18th December 2013. Retrieved from: http://www2.coloradocollege.edu/dept/HY/Hy243Ruiz/Research/civilwar.html