The role of women began shifting toward a more socially and politically active one during the nineteenth century. However, the Civil War was a major turning point for women, as they were allowed into new professions and helped the front from both sides of the conflict (Shi, 608). A significant impact was made by women in the field of medicine, as thousands worked directly on the battlefields. Such assistance led to the creation of the American Red Cross and the development of nursing as a profession in general (Shi, 609). The pursuit of social equality became a realistic prospect as the Civil War revealed its possibility and feasibility. Unlike previous armed conflicts, the Civil War was more disrupting for the established way of living, which gave women a chance for greater involvement in it. An active position in life later translated into numerous women’s rights movements that sparked across the United States.
It is apparent that women’s voices became more prominent during the Civil War. From the letters by Mary Abigail Dodge, who posed as Gail Hamilton, Shi and Mayer (2019) highlight how women served as motivational leaders who encouraged”sacrifice of personal comfort for the war” and its causes (p. 409). The selflessness of such acts was praised by Dodge, although her writings remained under a gender-neutral pseudonym. In conclusion, the role of women in the Civil War was so significant that it enabled them to pursue ambitious goals and become less hindered by the societal bonds of that time.
References
Shi, D. E. (2018). America: A narrative history (11th ed.). New York, NY: W. W. Norton.
Shi, D. E., & Mayer, H. A. (2019). For the record: A documentary history (7th ed.). New York, NY: W. W. Norton.