African Americans in the Military

Thousands of African Americans wanted to fight against the institution of slavery by joining the U.S. military, but were prohibited from doing so by federal law passed in 1792. Only after Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863 were African Americans allowed to join the Union military. (UNC School of Education, “The Emancipation Proclamation” and “African American soldiers”)

References

UNC School of Education. “African American soldiers.” Learn NC: North Carolina Digital History. http://www.learnnc.org/lp/editions/nchist-civilwar/4824 (Accessed November 20, 2012).

UNC School of Education. “The Emancipation Proclamation.” Learn NC: North Carolina Digital History. http://www.learnnc.org/lp/editions/nchist-civilwar/4707 (Accessed November 20, 2012).