Civil War and Reconstruction
Reflecting on Ocean Pond, painting by Christopher Still
Most political leaders in southern states believed that slavery was necessary, but slavery had been outlawed in most northern states and territories. After Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1860, Florida and other southern states withdrew from the United States because of this issue. Florida joined southern states in forming the Confederate States of America, also called the Confederacy.
The Civil War lasted from April 1861 to April 1865. Florida sent 15,000 men and many supplies, including salt, beef, cotton, pork, and other products, to help the Confederacy. Northern ships patrolling Florida's coast tried to block supplies from coming and going. Many White and Black residents helped the northern cause in quiet ways. Several battles took place in the state, but Florida did not experience as much warfare as its neighbors to the north.
After the Civil War, the U.S. government set up a policy called "Reconstruction" in the South. It wanted states to accept new rules, including requiring states to follow the federal Constitution some to improve conditions for newly-emancipated Freedmen.
1. Do you think cows always lived in Florida? Why or why not?
2. Circle the branding iron in the painting. Why do you think owners brand their cows?
3. Go to christopherstill.com/fl-house-of-reps and click on the picture that matches the painting above.
4. Click on "Go to link" to learn more about the history of cattle in Florida.
Free Play
What do you know about Florida's role in the Civil War?
During the Civil War, Floridians faced a shortage of many items, such as coffee, sugar, salt, and even shoes. People created alternative ways to produce these items. For example, people boiled sea water to produce salt so that they could preserve their meat.
Historians study documents such as letters, diaries, memoirs, and photographs to interpret how historical events impacted people's daily lives.
For this activity, your task is to read an excerpt from a memoir to understand how the Civil War impacted people's lives in Florida.
Directions
Read the memoir excerpt below and use it to answer the questions below.
Questions to Answer
1. How did Joshua's family feel about the war?
2. How old was he when he enrolled in the First Florida Reserves?
3. What was the inventive way to make salt?
4. What kind of meat did they preserve?
5. How does Joshua describe its appearance?
