African Americans During the Civil War (Slavery in the Americas)

African Americans living in the time period directly preceding the Civil War were influenced by the constant tension between the North and the South. The aftereffects of the Civil War greatly affected African-American life as well. However, during the Civil War, slaves faced a quickly changing environment, caught between the two sides. While Northern African Americans eventually were permitted to join the battle for the Union, some Southern African Americans revolted against their owners. From the new set "Slavery in the Americas", "African Americans during the Civil War" explores this intriguing time in American history. Topics include: African Americans in the Union Army; the U.S. War Department's Bureau for Colored Troops; racism in both Northern and Southern forces; Frederick Douglass and the "National Convention of Colored Men"; and African-American soldiers as advocates and spokespeople for equal rights.