Introduction
Introduction
The Civil War caused an immense loss of life, but also changed the social status of African Americans. Governors, soon after the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863, called for African Americans to fight for the north in the Civil War. Though the African Americans were drafted, they were treated as second class soldiers and were expected to fail, "Assigned at first to the most undesirable duties, black soldiers successfully lobbied for the chance to fight."[2] The 54th Massachusetts Regiment gained the respect of white people in the north at the assault of Fort Wagner.
[1] Picture: The Storming of Fort Wagner-lithograph by Kurz and Allison, 1890
[2] Nation of Nations, pg 437
