Further Content Exploration

Now that you have completed a photograph analysis and have an understanding of the conditions, tactics, and trauma of the Civil War battles, you can make some comparisons between the Civil War and other wars in United States history. It is particularly interesting and important to understand the unique hurt a country suffers during a civil war, as opposed to a war fought against a foreign enemy.

Discuss the following questions with your colleagues or reflect on them in your journal.

1. What are the similarities and differences between the Civil War and the Revolutionary War? For example, both wars took place on American soil, but one had an external enemy. Were the effects of war on soldiers the same in both conflicts? On families? Why or why not?
2. Compare the effects of war on American soldiers between the Civil War and the Spanish-American War, which was fought nearby, but not on American soil. What were the similarities and differences?
3. In what ways do you think the images of other wars differ from those of the Civil War?

Note: If you need to refresh your understanding of the Spanish-American War, check out the following: