What They Fought for 1861-1865: Motivation of North and South Soldiers

"The Civil War was fought by soldiers who believed they were defending a cause that was noble and just" - James McPherson.

James McPherson investigates the causes that both Northern and Southern soldiers made the decision to enroll in the army during the Civil War in his book "What They Fought For 1861-1865."He argues that while both sides believed they were fighting for a noble cause, the motivations for enlistment were different for soldiers from the North and South.

For soldiers from the North, the main motivation for enlistment was to preserve the Union and end the rebellion of the South. Many of these soldiers believed that the Confederacy's attempt to secede from the Union was a direct threat to the principles of democracy and the rule of law. As McPherson writes, "Many soldiers in the North believed that they were fighting to defend the principles of democracy and the rule of law, which the Confederacy had threatened by attempting to secede from the Union" (McPherson, 35). They viewed the Union as a sacred entity, which was created by the founding fathers and protected by the Constitution. The idea of a group of states breaking away from the Union and creating a separate nation was a direct attack on the principles of unity, democracy and equality upon which the nation was built. Thus, many soldiers from the North saw the war as a way to defend the country from those who sought to destroy it.

Moreover, the abolition of slavery was a powerful motivator for soldiers from the North. Slavery was seen as a moral abomination and an affront to the principles of freedom and equality that the nation was founded on. As McPherson states, "Many soldiers in the North saw the war as an opportunity to end the institution of slavery, which they viewed as a moral abomination" (McPherson, 39). They also saw it as a means to preserve the Union, as the Confederacy was built on the premise of preserving the institution of slavery.

Additionally, the economic and social factors also played a role in motivating the North soldiers to enlist. Many soldiers from the North were poor farmers, factory workers, and immigrants, who saw the war as a chance to improve their economic conditions. McPherson writes, "For many soldiers in the North, the war offered a chance to escape poverty, unemployment, and to gain social mobility" (McPherson, 43). By joining the army, they could earn a salary, receive training, and gain a sense of identity and purpose.

For soldiers from the South, their main motivation for enlistment was to protect their homeland and their way of life from Northern aggression. Many soldiers from the South saw the Confederacy as a symbol of the South's distinct culture and identity, and they felt that they were fighting to protect it from Northern attempts to impose their own culture and values on the South. As McPherson writes, "Many soldiers in the South saw themselves as fighting to protect their homeland and their way of life from Northern aggression" (McPherson, 42). Additionally, many soldiers from the South were motivated by a sense of honor and duty to defend their homes and families from the invading Northern army.

Another key motivation for soldiers from the South was the desire to preserve the institution of slavery. Slavery was an integral part of the Southern economy and way of life, and many soldiers believed that they were fighting to protect it from Northern abolitionists. This sense of duty to protect their way of life and their property, including their slaves, was a powerful motivator for many soldiers from the South. McPherson writes, "Many soldiers in the South believed that they were fighting to protect the institution of slavery, which was an integral part of the Southern economy and way of life" (McPherson, 45).

Furthermore, many soldiers from the South believed that the North was trying to impose its values and way of life on the South. They saw the war as a way to resist Northern attempts to impose their own culture and values on the South. This sense of resistance to Northern dominance was a powerful motivator for many soldiers from the South. McPherson writes, "Many soldiers in the South saw the war as a way to resist Northern attempts to impose their own culture and values on the South" (McPherson, 47).

Additionally, the soldiers from the South were also motivated by a sense of loyalty and devotion to their state, many soldiers from the South felt that they were fighting for their state sovereignty and rights. McPherson writes, "For many soldiers in the South, the war was a fight for state sovereignty and rights against Northern aggression" (McPherson, 50).

Soldiers from the South had a variety of motivations for enlisting in the army during the Civil War. They were driven by the desire to protect their homeland, their way of life, and their property, including their slaves. Additionally, the sense of duty to resist Northern dominance, loyalty and devotion to their state and a sense of honor and duty to defend their homes and families were powerful motivators for many soldiers from the South. They believed that they were fighting for a noble cause, which was to defend their culture, identity and way of life against Northern aggression.

In conclusion, the motivations for enlistment in the Civil War were different for soldiers from the North and South. While soldiers from the North were motivated by the desire to preserve the Union and end slavery, soldiers from the South were motivated by the desire to protect their homeland, their way of life, and their property, including their slaves. Additionally, the sense of duty to resist Northern dominance was a powerful motivator for many soldiers from the South. These different motivations help to explain the intensity of the conflict, as soldiers on both sides believed they were fighting for a noble cause.

It is important to note that, today, the motivations and beliefs of the soldiers during the Civil War are viewed differently by different people. Many people today view the North's motivations as a just cause, fighting to preserve the Union and end slavery, while others argue that it was mainly a war to preserve the economic power of the North. Similarly, some people view the South's motivations as a fight to protect their culture, identity and way of life, while others argue that it was mainly a war to preserve the institution of slavery. It is important to understand that the motivations of the soldiers during the Civil War were complex and multifaceted and that different people view them differently today.