Jim Crow laws gave Caucasian Americans a legal backbone to discriminating against African-Americans socially and politically. For example, public restrooms were segregated and usually, Blacks were given the poorer quality ones. or how they would also have to sit in the back of the bus or give up their seat.
The American patriots seemed the lesser military force when compared to the troops of the British empire. However, they did have factors that played to their advantage.
- They were highly motivated, fighting for their independence as a nation. They also knew that if they lost, the penalties for treason against the British were worse than death in battle.
- They were fighting for their home turf <u>on their home turf</u>. They had "home field advantage," in a sense, knowing the geography better than their British adversaries.
- The colonists became more than just militias, but a truly strong, disciplined military force under the leadership of General George Washington and other skilled leaders.
- The American side used whatever tactics were needed to win, rather than being stuck in traditional battle patterns that had been the norm for European warfare in the 18th century.
- The American side also received a HUGE advantage of financial support and military support from France as an ally, which strengthened their side against the British.
The Siege of Vicksburg was important to the Union troops because they were able to take control of the Mississippi River. This allowed the Union troops to cut the Confederacy in half and allowed the Union to cut of supplies/resources to Confederate states.
The Battle of Gettysburg was an important Union win because this was the last time in the Civil War that the Confederate troops truly invaded the North. After this battle they did not invade any state north of Pennsylvania.