Citation
Making Soldiers of Slaves and Slaves of Soldiers: The Civil War’s Impact on Southern Masculinity

Material Information

Title:
Making Soldiers of Slaves and Slaves of Soldiers: The Civil War’s Impact on Southern Masculinity
Series Title:
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Creator:
Taylor, Christopher
Place of Publication:
Gainesville, Fla.
Publisher:
University of Florida
Publication Date:
Language:
English

Subjects

Subjects / Keywords:
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Genre:
serial ( sobekcm )

Notes

Abstract:
The term “Confederate Emancipation” refers to the South’s effort to free and arm slaves during the final months of the U.S. Civil War. Historians have set forth a number of explanations for how Southerners came to support this plan–they were not fighting for slavery to begin with, the South changed its goals over time, or Confederate Emancipation allowed the South to control how slavery ended. However, none of these explanations are sufficient because none take into account recent histories of Southern honor and masculinity. In these works, only white Southern men are capable of honor, bravery, violence, and nationalism. To understand Confederate Emancipation, historians need to account for these cultural norms and explain how supposedly timid, dishonorable slaves can perform the jobs of white men. This paper argues that in order to bridge this gap, one must recognize that the Civil War forced Southerners to abandon romance and adventure associated with war. Between 1861 and 1865, Southern soldiers transformed from independent, patriarchal volunteers, into conscripts, paid wages for their lives and labor, disciplined to fit into the ranks. From this perspective, Confederate Emancipation became possible when the dividing line between soldier and slave became more difficult to see.

Record Information

Source Institution:
University of Florida
Holding Location:
University of Florida
Rights Management:
Copyright by Creator or Publisher. Permission granted to University of Florida to digitize and display this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.

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Full Text

PAGE 1

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all Masters of Small Worlds

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Conscription and Conflict in the Confederacy Augusta Chronicle and Sentinel

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Milledgeville Confederate Union their Richmond Enquirer

PAGE 5

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