The Civil War 1860-1865 - Mass Mobilization

ASU HST 200 (Historical Themes) The Civil War, 1860–1865 Mass Mobilization By the end of 1862, the conflict had shifted to resemble a complete war, in which armies try to break the enemy's will to fight by attacking their military objectives and destroying their resources in an effort to impair their capacity to wage war. Armies frequently do not distinguish between military and civilian objectives in this kind of warfare. Though neither side ever completely eliminated the line separating military and civilian life, both the Union and Confederate armies advanced toward total war. Governments must also deploy all available means in a total conflict, becoming more involved in the lives of their populations than ever before. The impact of warfare on the size and reach of government was another aspect of war that became evident in 1862 and later. The governments of the Confederacy and the Union both needed to keep expanding in order to handle the logistics of enlisting soldiers and keeping, feeding, and outfitting an army. The American Civil War, which lasted from 1860 to 1865, was a pivotal moment in the country's history that saw the expansion of combat into a complete struggle and widespread mobilization. By the end of 1862, the war had taken on a very different character, almost like a full-fledged war, with both Union and Confederate armies attempting to destroy the enemy's will to fight by attacking military targets and resources, military or otherwise. This change made it more difficult to discern between military and civilian life since armies were too focused on winning to make such distinctions. The idea of "total war" required governments to use every tool at their disposal to carry out the fight. In order to help the war effort, they got very involved in the lives of their people, which resulted in hitherto unheard-of levels of government growth and interference. The logistical obstacles of recruiting troops, sustaining, supplying, and equipping armies necessitated the establishment of extensive government infrastructures and bureaucracies. Consequently, in order to satisfy the needs of war, both the Union and Confederate administrations saw enormous development. Mass mobilization had an effect on society's socioeconomic structure in addition to the military. Entire communities had to be mobilized for the war effort, with women taking on new duties to help the home front and men joining in the armed forces. To fulfill the needs of the war, industries changed their production methods, and agricultural techniques were modified to guarantee food supplies for both citizens and troops. As both sides tried to outmaneuver their rivals, the battle also sparked technical advancements in fields like communication, transportation, and armament. Total war has a significant impact on civilian populations as well. For people caught in the middle of the fighting, the devastation of infrastructure, the uprooting of communities, and the interruption of economic activity meant extreme suffering. Both Union and Confederate armies targeted civilian infrastructure and supplies, which further muddied the lines between combatants and non-combatants and resulted in great loss and suffering. There were also long-lasting political repercussions from the Civil War's complete warfare and widespread mobilization. The wartime expansion of government authority and interference set the stage for later changes in American administration, such as the formation of a more powerful federal government and the increase of federal authority. The conflict also changed the balance of power between the federal government and the many states by bringing federalism and states' rights to the fore. A turning point in American history, the Civil War saw widespread mobilization and the transformation of fighting into a full-scale war. Beyond the battlefield, the war had a lasting effect on American politics, culture, and government that would last for many years.