![]() ![]() How to Use the Activities Inquiry Question |
The first battle of Manassas, or Bull Run, greatly changed the way the majority of Americans viewed the Civil War. Initially, soldiers like Sullivan Ballou wrote flowery, poetic letters, romanticizing the coming war and what it stood for. After the battle, soldiers viewed the conflict much as J.W. Reid did--as a terrifying, horrible experience, in which thousands of men were killed and wounded. By war's end in April 1865, more than 620,000 soldiers would lose their lives. The civilian population of the nation also was affected by the events at Manassas. Those who lived near the battlefields, like the Henrys, had their livelihood ruined because the battles were fought on their property. Others who lived hundreds of miles away, like the Ballous, were devastated by the loss of a cherished family member. No longer would Americans think of the Civil War as an entertaining spectacle, as had the Washingtonians who followed the troops to view this conflict.
Activity 1: Considering Life as a Soldier
Activity 2: Manassas National Battlefield Park
Activity 3: Local and Personal Impact of the Civil War For example, if they live in a state that participated in the war, the region probably saw local men enlist and might have supported a regiment. Battles and skirmishes took place across the United States, even as far west as Arizona and New Mexico. Many modern military bases bear the names of Civil War figures. Students also could look for evidence of the indirect impact of issues that led up to the war. For instance, was their state one of those admitted to the Union as slave or free as part of "compromise legislation?" Were Civil War veterans prominent in exploring or developing their area? Were or are there conflicts created or intensified by continuing resentments?
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