The Won Cause

Black and White Comradeship in the Grand Army of the Republic

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Cultural Studies, African-American Studies, History, Americas, United States, Civil War Period (1850-1877)
Cover of the book The Won Cause by Barbara A. Gannon, The University of North Carolina Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Barbara A. Gannon ISBN: 9780807877708
Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press Publication: May 30, 2011
Imprint: The University of North Carolina Press Language: English
Author: Barbara A. Gannon
ISBN: 9780807877708
Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press
Publication: May 30, 2011
Imprint: The University of North Carolina Press
Language: English

In the years after the Civil War, black and white Union soldiers who survived the horrific struggle joined the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR)--the Union army's largest veterans' organization. In this thoroughly researched and groundbreaking study, Barbara Gannon chronicles black and white veterans' efforts to create and sustain the nation's first interracial organization.

According to the conventional view, the freedoms and interests of African American veterans were not defended by white Union veterans after the war, despite the shared tradition of sacrifice among both black and white soldiers. In The Won Cause, however, Gannon challenges this scholarship, arguing that although black veterans still suffered under the contemporary racial mores, the GAR honored its black members in many instances and ascribed them a greater equality than previous studies have shown. Using evidence of integrated posts and veterans' thoughts on their comradeship and the cause, Gannon reveals that white veterans embraced black veterans because their membership in the GAR demonstrated that their wartime suffering created a transcendent bond--comradeship--that overcame even the most pernicious social barrier--race-based separation. By upholding a more inclusive memory of a war fought for liberty as well as union, the GAR's "Won Cause" challenged the Lost Cause version of Civil War memory.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In the years after the Civil War, black and white Union soldiers who survived the horrific struggle joined the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR)--the Union army's largest veterans' organization. In this thoroughly researched and groundbreaking study, Barbara Gannon chronicles black and white veterans' efforts to create and sustain the nation's first interracial organization.

According to the conventional view, the freedoms and interests of African American veterans were not defended by white Union veterans after the war, despite the shared tradition of sacrifice among both black and white soldiers. In The Won Cause, however, Gannon challenges this scholarship, arguing that although black veterans still suffered under the contemporary racial mores, the GAR honored its black members in many instances and ascribed them a greater equality than previous studies have shown. Using evidence of integrated posts and veterans' thoughts on their comradeship and the cause, Gannon reveals that white veterans embraced black veterans because their membership in the GAR demonstrated that their wartime suffering created a transcendent bond--comradeship--that overcame even the most pernicious social barrier--race-based separation. By upholding a more inclusive memory of a war fought for liberty as well as union, the GAR's "Won Cause" challenged the Lost Cause version of Civil War memory.

More books from The University of North Carolina Press

Cover of the book American Growth and the Balance of Payments, 1820-1913 by Barbara A. Gannon
Cover of the book Americanism by Barbara A. Gannon
Cover of the book Reluctant Rebels by Barbara A. Gannon
Cover of the book Muslim American Women on Campus by Barbara A. Gannon
Cover of the book The Secret History of Gender by Barbara A. Gannon
Cover of the book Awaiting Armageddon by Barbara A. Gannon
Cover of the book Mapping the Cold War by Barbara A. Gannon
Cover of the book Revolution and Reality by Barbara A. Gannon
Cover of the book Intellectual Life and the American South, 1810-1860 by Barbara A. Gannon
Cover of the book The Science and Politics of Race in Mexico and the United States, 1910–1950 by Barbara A. Gannon
Cover of the book Rethinking Slave Rebellion in Cuba by Barbara A. Gannon
Cover of the book The Life and Times of Elijah Muhammad by Barbara A. Gannon
Cover of the book Witness for Freedom by Barbara A. Gannon
Cover of the book Women's Identities at War by Barbara A. Gannon
Cover of the book Like a Family by Barbara A. Gannon
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy