Question

Which statement explains why the Confederacy did not draft slaves and free blacks into the army? Union troops thought it unfair for African Americans to fight for the South. Southerners believed they did not need extra troops Union troops opposed the enlistment of African Americans. Southerners did not want to enlist African Americans into the army.

Answer 1

Answer:

The correct statement is the last one: Southerners did not want to enlist African Americans into the army.

Explanation:

Southerners did not want to enlist black soldiers because this would undermine the major argument of the Confederacy to go to war: the defense of slavery. They could not expect that once slaves were enlisted they would later go back to slave labor.

The South seceded to defend their property, which is their slaves. Slavery was a major foundation of Southern identity. They did not approve of the enlistment of black people until imminent defeat in 1865.