How did African American soldier play an important role in the civil war?
For the Confederacy the African Americans played the role of laborers and servants, although small numbers were recruited into the military, they did not play a significant role. Until 1865, the Confederate Congress opposed arming the slaves, and even though several Confederate military leaders (Gen. Robert E. Lee) were in favor of this. When they finally did pass the bill – it was too late. For the Union the African Americans played a limited, but much larger role in the Civil War. By 1862 they were already serving in the Navy, and later in the Army. They stilled played the same roles as servants and laborers, but unlike the Confederacy, they served as combat soldiers. Judging by the numbers (180,000) of the “Colored Troops” at the end of the Civil War – they played a very signifiant role.
