Union policy on black soldiers and black freedom free

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° Union Policy on Black Soldiers and Black Freedom
° -Free blacks responded to Lincoln’s call for volunteers to fight in war
° -Many were rejected because it evoked thoughts of slave insurrections
and violated the notions of white male superiority.
° -Lincoln refused to acknowledge the reason behind the war was slavery
he would say the reason for war was due to the rebellion that must be taken
down to preserve Union
° -Congress takes action to end slavery in the District of Colombia.
Lincoln developed a plan for gradual emancipationgave $300 for each
slave. slave owners freed and it gave free slaves 100 for those who migrated
to a country outside USA.
° -The District of Colombia Emancipation Act showed Lincoln’s two
pronged approach to the problem of slavery compensation and colonization
but it did not prove to be the model that Lincoln had hoped it would.
° -1862 War not going well for the Union.
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° Refugee Slaves and Freed people
° -Slaves fled to Union territories to seize their freedom
° -3 slaves Frank Baker, James Townsend, Shepard Mallory were sent by
their owners to built confederate fortifications in Hampton, Virginia at night
they crossed the waters to Fortress of Monroe which was part of Union
° - Commander General Benjamin F Butler gave them protection and
refused to send them back considered them was contraband.
° -Contraband gave them a non human property status but were not
freed worked in jobs but received low wages
° -Butler not sure what to do with refugees Aug 1861 Congress sought to
clarify the situation in the First Confiscation Act which authorized the
confiscation of slaves as Confederate property.
° -Port Royal Experiment: contraband slaves were working abandoned
cotton plantations under the supervision of Union military officals. Blacks
organized their own work schedules and were even able to buy abandon
land. Missionaries came and taught them to read and write and spread
Christianity.
° -The Second Confiscation Act declared all slaves freedom.
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° The Emancipation Proclamation
° -July 22 1862 Lincoln announced that he was going to free all slaves
even in those territories that where rebellion against Union.
° -Sept 9 1862 Lincoln announced the preliminary Emancipation
Proclamation it gave confederates 100 days to cease their rebellion. If not
slaves would be free
° -NO one signed proclamation. Jan 1 1863 Emancipation Proclamation
freed slaves able to fight in military, good wages,
° -Slaves under Confederate control kept their responses a secrete not to
trigger masters but they were happy.
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° The US Colored Troops
° -August 1862 General Hunter received permission to recruit freemen to
fight in army. US Colored Troops
° -IN North recruitment of blacks was slow at first. Wouldn’t join until
they received citizenship. Later on propaganda joining army will lead to
citizenship
° -179,000 black men enlisted in the U.S colored Troops. Black units led
by white officers, still racial hierarchy seen.