The
text is about how black people got into the military in the Civil War, how they
were treated, and how they were fighting for that. At first, white men didn’t let
them get into the military because they were afraid that colored men wouldn’t have
enough ability to be soldiers. They were fighting for their right to be the
soldiers because they “viewed military services as a great opportunity to
strike blows against slavery and white prejudice.” When they were able to get
into the military, there were still the discriminations, for example, the pay. Government
didn’t pay the black and white soldiers the same. They were fighting again to
get the equal pay (June 1864). Having the chance to serve in military had made
the changes for black veterans. They believed that “their military service entitled
African Americans not only to freedom but also to civil and political rights.” They
also had the chance to “learn to read and write in the army, many veterans
became schoolteachers.” Becoming soldiers had completely changed black men’s
life.
1.
What made white men changed their thought about letting
colored men get into the military?
2.
Until now, have the black soldiers had the equal and
right look for what they contributed in the Civil War?
