similar experience Flashcards
(5 cards)
topic sentence
Some historians such as James McPherson argue that the war impacted women on both sides in a similar way.
evidence 1 - north
Prior to and during the war, women were still disenfranchised, their status was still very much undermined and women working was frowned upon by men. Despite this, women from both the Confederacy and the Union volunteered in a number of occupations and even set up their own organisations to help with the war effort. Nursing was among the most popular occupations. For example, in the Union, the Women’s Central Relief Association was set up by Elizabeth Blackwell in April 1816; establishing a training programme for nurses. It helped contribute to the changing attitudes towards women because it was so successful that Surgeon General Hammond issued an order requiring at least 1/3rd of army nurses in general hospitals to be women. Therefore, they proved that their work ethic and determination for success were valuable to the nation, convincing men that they were fit for work.
counter analysis south
On the other hand, it was more difficult for Southern women to convince Southern men that they were worthy to work. Indeed, at the start of the war the Confederate Medical Departments still resented the use of female nurses despite the recent example of Florence Nightengale in the Crimean War whose work did much to dignify nursing as a profession. This suggests that the war didn’t impact Southern and Northern women in the same way as Southern women weren’t given the same opportunities to change their status as Northern women.
evidence 2 - south
However, several southern white women still volunteered their services as nurses or even founded small hospitals for soldiers. Their efforts encouraged Congress to make changes and in September 1862, the Confederate Congress enacted a law providing for civilian matrons and nurses in army general hospitals, “giving preference in all cases to females where their services many best serve the purpose.” this shows how the status of Confederate women was changing alongside Northern women during the war as their work proved that they should be attributed with the right to work, prompting Congress to make change, which they eventually did.
evaluation
To evaluate, women from both sides had similar experiences during the war surrounding their changing status, they began to become recognised as people fit for work through their efforts volunteering in nursing etc. Indeed, James McPherson argues, the war led to a great increase in the employment for women and volunteered nurses gave valuable service that overcame military and medical prejudice.
