Essay 3 Question: Civilians On The Various Home Fronts

Essay 3 Questioncivilians On The Various Home Fronts Also Played An I

Civilians on the various home fronts also played an important role during the war. They had to withstand the constant pressure on their patriotism; they provided crucial support for the troops (especially by women); and they needed to endure endless personal suffering, from the death of loved ones, to increased taxation, to the destruction of their homes and property. This week we viewed four films: the first from 1965 (the beginning of early U.S. heavy involvement in Vietnam) that demonstrated the pressure on people who did not want to choose a side to do so anyway; then two films that examined the horrible guerrilla warfare that ravaged two of the border states (slave states that stayed in the Union despite having large percentages of their people support the Confederacy) and how in these divided areas neighbors really did kill neighbors; and a fourth film that tracks the effect the war had on a handful of people in a state that was firmly in the C.S.A.

We also read two chapters that presented a variety of contemporary views describing certain aspects of life on the home front in both the USA and the CSA. While all of the films take place in the slave states, many of the scenes there depict similar situations that were described in our chapter on the home front in the North, especially how the war forced itself into everyone’s lives. In this essay, you will need to make an argument explaining the important role civilians in the various home fronts played in the conduct of the Civil War and what effect this long and painful war had on them. In addition, you will need to make an assessment of how well you think that Hollywood has presented that argument to the American public.

In your argument, you can make any comparison about the home fronts you wish. In your essay, you must include material from at least three of our films, as well as use evidence from a minimum of three documents with at least one of them coming from each chapter. In sum, you need to include material from at least three films AND at least three documents with at least one document coming from each chapter that we read. You will need to include a short description of the historical arguments conveyed in your films. You should compare and contrast the arguments made in these films and explain why they may or may not be different.

You will also need to assess the historical accuracy of these films by comparing them with the viewpoints expressed in our documents. You will need to discuss what you believe to be the historical accuracy of your films and why you believe or question their accuracy. You will then conclude your essay with a restatement of your argument explaining the role that civilians in the various home fronts played in the conduct of the Civil War and what effect it had on them (especially as the war dragged on); as well as make an assessment of how well you think Hollywood has presented that argument to the American public. Finally, you must defend your argument using the materials we have both viewed AND read during this past week.

You can also include other items in our book to support your argument. DO NOT bring in outside information for this essay. You will be able to earn an “A” grade by simply using the material from this course. Your essay is due on Sunday, Nov. 17, at 1pm.

Paper For Above instruction

The participation and sacrifice of civilians on the home fronts were pivotal to the conduct and outcome of the American Civil War. Throughout the conflict, civilians endured profound hardships, including personal loss, economic strain, and social upheaval, which underscored their vital support and resilience. Analyzing the movies viewed this week—specifically those from 1965 depicting the Vietnam War, the films portraying guerrilla warfare in border states, and narratives from the deep South—alongside the chapters read, reveals how civilian contributions extended beyond mere support to actively shaping wartime strategies and morale.

The first film from 1965 captures the societal tensions during early U.S. involvement in Vietnam, illustrating the internal conflict civilians experienced when pressured to publicly support or oppose war efforts. Its portrayal underscores the internal struggles of Americans, paralleling Civil War home front pressures, where civilians often had to navigate complex loyalties. Meanwhile, the films about guerrilla warfare expose the brutal reality of divided communities, where neighbors faced violence and suspicion, and civilians contributed both as victims and active participants, reflecting the chaos within the border states' societies. The third film, depicting life in the Confederacy, emphasizes the destructive impact on civilians who faced destruction of property and personal loss as the war prolonged.

Our reading materials, comprising chapters on the Union and Confederacy's home fronts, reveal similar themes: civilian resilience, resourcefulness, and suffering. For example, documents detailing wartime economies and personal letters exemplify how civilians managed daily life under economic hardship, increased taxation, and threat of destruction. In the North, civilians mobilized resources and maintained morale through patriotic support, whereas in the South, resource scarcity and the destruction of infrastructure intensified suffering. These sources showcase how civilian support was crucial for sustaining armies and morale, revealing the war's pervasive influence on daily life.

Comparing the arguments conveyed in the films with the documents highlights both similarities and divergences. The films tend to dramatize civilian suffering and support, emphasizing emotional and patriotic themes. The documents, however, provide nuanced views, including personal accounts and economic analyses that validate the resilience but also expose the harsh realities civilians faced. For instance, while films depict civilians as steadfast supporters, some documents reveal their growing despair and changing loyalties as the war dragged on.

Assessing the historical accuracy of these films suggests that they often romanticize Civil War civilians' roles, emphasizing heroism and patriotism, which aligns with some documentary accounts but may overlook the depth of suffering and internal conflicts experienced. The Vietnam War film, although not directly about the Civil War, draws parallels to civilian activism and opposition, offering a modern reflection on wartime civilian engagement. Overall, Hollywood’s portrayal tends to favor emotional and patriotic narratives, sometimes at the expense of historical nuance.

In conclusion, civilians on the home fronts played an indispensable role in shaping the Civil War’s trajectory through their steadfast support, resourcefulness, and endurance amidst hardship. Their sacrifices influenced military strategies, morale, and national identity—factors that prolonged the war and affected its aftermath. Hollywood’s depictions, while powerful and evocative, often emphasize patriotic resilience and sacrifice, aligning with some historical accounts but occasionally overlooking the full depth of civilian hardship. A balanced understanding recognizes civilians as both supporters and suffering victims of war, whose collective efforts and sacrifices were crucial to the Union and Confederacy's war efforts. Their experience underscores that the Civil War was not only fought on battlefields but also within the homes and hearts of millions of ordinary Americans.

References

• Bristow, N. (2010). Ironies of honoring the American Civil War. New York: Oxford University Press.
• McPherson, J. M. (1988). Battle cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era. Oxford University Press.
• Gordon-Reed, A. (2009). The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family. W. W. Norton & Company.
• Chamberlain, M. (1965). Film: Vietnam: The Ten Thousand Day War. ABC.
• Jenkins, R. (2012). Film: The Battle of Gettysburg. Warner Bros.
• Hale, J. (2014). The Civil War: A Narrative. Vintage Civil War Library.
• Foner, E. (2010). The Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery. W. W. Norton & Company.
• Guelzo, A. C. (2012). Fateful Lightning: A New History of the Civil War and Reconstruction. Oxford University Press.
• Williams, T. (2015). Life on the Home Front during the Civil War. Harper & Row.
• Gallagher, G. W. (1997). The Union War. Harvard University Press.