U.S. History: Civil War- Civil War Woman and Relief Work

During the Civil War, thousands of women worked to relieve the suffering of soldiers, refugees, and former slaves. While some of these women ministered to the sick and dying as nurses, most contributed from the home front. Both North and South, women made clothing, food, and bandages and sent these to the battle front. Women also held fundraisers such as sanitary fairs to provide additional supplies. Women accomplished these goals both by working  individually and by forming groups such as soldiers’ aid societies. Women continued their relief efforts after the war by working to assist veterans. In this lesson, students will analyze broadsides, letters, posters, and prints that solicited and advertised relief work by women. Students will evaluate the role that women played in relieving wartime suffering

Standards & Objectives

Learning objectives: 

The learner will:

  • Analyze a print, poster, broadside, typed document, and handwritten document.
  • Determine point of view in primary sources.
  • Draw conclusions, individually and in groups, based on analysis of the sources.
Essential and guiding questions: 

How did women relieve the suffering of soldiers during the Civil War? How did this work reflect women’s traditional domestic role in society? How did women expand this role through relief work? 

Lesson Variations

Blooms taxonomy level: 
Applying
Extension suggestions: 

Ask students to imagine that they lived during the Civil War and attended the Great Central Fair in Philadelphia in June 1864. Share with them the following sources that describe the fair in detail and include images of the fair:

  • Great Central Fair Buildings. Logan Square Philadelphia, June, 1864 [Picture and description.
  • Buildings of the Great Central Fair, in aid of the U.S. Sanitary Commission, Logan Square, Philadelphia, June 1864  Ask students to write a diary entry or letter describing their experience at the fair, including their reactions to the event, their reasons for attending, and what they saw and did at the fair.

Ask students to research the United Service Organizations (popularly known as the USO) and its work for servicemen and women. Students should consult the America’s Story piece on the USO, as well as the USO Web site. Ask them to write an essay or create a presentation that answers these questions: How is the USO similar to some of the relief organizations created during the Civil War? How is it different? How are women involved? 

Helpful Hints

MATERIALS:

  • Library of Congress Primary Sources (see p. 3)
  • Women and the Civil War Essay
  • Sanitary Commission (USSC), About.com Guide
  • Women and Relief Work Questions
  • Women and Relief Work Glossary
  • “Views of Women’s Relief Work” PowerPoint