Why does it seem that many black people forget about the hundreds of thousands of white union soldiers?

Question

All these soldiers including my 4x Great Grandfather died to free Blacks from the south. Yet it seems so often forgotten like if "all whites had slaves".

My ancestor felt so compassioned to free slaves that he gave up his life to do it.

I just find it odd sometimes that certain people forget that fact.

Answer 1

Of course i don't forget that. There were a lot of abolitionists involved in that war and they were important. I don't think black people forget those soldiers, I think they just refer to the pre-civil war times when even people who didn't like slavery and northerners owned slaves. I mean those soldiers were a minority compared to the blacks that had been suffering for centuries before they came along. Blacks are relating to their own ancestor's struggles and looking back on their own history. You, being white, are relating the struggles of your ancestors. We view things from different perspectives, so it may seem like we are ignoring the other perspective.

Answer 2

The civil war was NOT to free slaves, the civil war was to unite the north and the south to produce a UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Unfortunately for the white people this could not happen and still have slavery also. There was many reasons why they wanted the north and south to unite that had nothing to do with slavery. One reason was two or more parties trying to take over a government. The north won, so the the north took over the southern government so that is why slavery ended because we were now following the northern government. The civil war was about government and politics, NOT SLAVERY. Slavery was just a factor. Read up on your history! So actually those white people were not dying for those slaves! They were dying so their government could have control.

Answer 3

My friend, I'm a young black female, and I would never forget that whites helped the blacks.(only the ignorant blacks forget; stupidos!!!!). I was so happy to learn that many white soldiers wanted to help free slaves. God bless them all for putting their effort in fighting for our people. I would never say that all whites had slave because that isn't true. Many whites helped the blacks escape slavery. A lot helped while a lot of them were very cruel.(I still don't understand why though)

You should be proud to have family that's giving and compassionate! You have awesome ancestors!!!

Answer 4

I guess the years of Segregation, lynching and Jim Crow laws that were put in place after slavery make some black forget that not all white agreed with slavery. Even though many fought to get blacks out of slavery a majority thought that they were better and that blacks didn't deserve equal rights.

It's sad that it took MLK to die for the country to reverse it discriminatory laws. Also all immigrants minority immigrants that have come to America would not have been able to succeeded if it wasn't for the civil right movement.

Answer 5

I dont realy think of the white union soldiers that much because if whites didnt inslave blacks in the first place your 4x great grandfather would not of had to die.

Answer 6

It's no secret really.... even Lincoln "the Great Emancipator".... just like 95% of white folks in America at the time (that 95% is a made-up stat.... but the percentage was VERY high) didn't see blacks as EQUALS. They just recognized that they were "human beings" and should not be subject to slavery.... but they didn't see blacks as "equally intelligent" or "equally talented." Even Lincoln saw the slaves he freed as INFERIOR.... and they were paid accordingly. That was just the reality of the time period.... it may not be right.... but not all history is pleasant to think about. EDIT: Mr. Rico you said "Lincoln was an aggressive dictator who paid for his aggression with his life." Well sir.... Lincoln did not consider traitors to their nation as "brothers".... which is precisely why he sent my Great-great grandfather down South to deal with your Great-great grandfather. Which he gladly did..... and we remain a SINGLE nation. Take your treasonous, un-American point of view elsewhere. You all were WARNED 30 years before we had to burn your whole REGION of this Great Country. Disunion by force is treason. --- Andrew Jackson 1832

Answer 7

I haven't forgot. I have much respect for all those who have fought for our rights and freedom. I recognize that all Whites did not have slaves and many of them were against slavery themselves.

Answer 8

what black people are you talking about? first you want a MLK scholarship now you're trippin on union soldiers. It is great that your gramp's gave their life, but there were many people that gave their lives since then and we still have racism. so what is your problem?

Answer 9

Everybody knows a lot of white people didn't own slaves and disagreed with entire idea of slavery.
Thats great that your x4 granfather did that.
But what does that have to with you? You didn't do it.

Answer 10

Certain people????? Hmmm......I look at this way...if blacks were not enslaved in the first place....you 4X great grandfather would not have to fight for the freedom of them.

Just a thought.