theguardian.com
Sherman's March: A Story of Self-Emancipation
Bennett Parten's "Somewhere Toward Freedom" re-examines Sherman's 1864 march to the sea, highlighting how approximately 20,000 enslaved people seized the opportunity to escape their bondage and join the Union army, significantly altering the narrative of the march and forcing the Union army to confront the resulting refugee crisis.
- What role did formerly enslaved people play in the Union army during Sherman's march, and how did their actions challenge traditional narratives of the war?
- Bennett Parten's "Somewhere Toward Freedom" reframes the narrative by centering the experiences of formerly enslaved people. These individuals actively participated in the march, acting as scouts and intelligence agents, showcasing agency and shaping the war's outcome. This perspective challenges traditional interpretations focused solely on military strategies and Southern perspectives.
- How did Sherman's march to the sea unexpectedly become a catalyst for mass self-emancipation among enslaved people, and what were the immediate consequences?
- Sherman's march to the sea, while known for its destruction, also witnessed a mass exodus of enslaved people who joined the Union army, seizing their freedom. This movement involved tens of thousands, creating a significant refugee crisis that forced the Union to confront the issue of their care and integration. The march became, unexpectedly, a catalyst for emancipation for these individuals.
- What are the long-term implications of reframing Sherman's march through the lens of the self-emancipation movement of enslaved people, and what new understandings of the Civil War does this perspective offer?
- Parten's work highlights the unforeseen consequences of the march, transforming it from a military campaign into a pivotal moment of self-emancipation. The scale of the refugee crisis—approximately 20,000 people by Savannah—demonstrates the profound impact on the course of the war and the subsequent need for policy changes to address their needs. This perspective offers crucial insights into the Civil War's complexities and long-term consequences.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing of the article intentionally shifts the focus from the traditional narrative emphasizing destruction to a new perspective emphasizing the emancipation aspect of Sherman's March. The introduction immediately establishes this shift, contrasting the popularized, incomplete understanding with the book's central argument. This change in focus is further reinforced throughout the article by centering the experiences and actions of formerly enslaved people. The headline, while not provided, would likely reflect this framing bias.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral and objective. While words like "destruction" and "scorched earth" are used to describe the march's impact, these are factual descriptions rather than loaded terms intended to evoke emotional responses. The author effectively uses neutral language while conveying the powerful emotions and experiences of enslaved people without resorting to emotionally charged language.
Bias by Omission
The traditional narrative of Sherman's March focuses heavily on the destruction and the Southern perspective, neglecting the experiences and agency of enslaved people. This omission significantly misrepresents the march's impact and overall meaning. The article rectifies this by highlighting the perspective of formerly enslaved people and their role in the march as a pivotal moment in their pursuit of freedom. However, the article could benefit from including a more detailed analysis of the perspectives of white Southerners beyond the simplified portrayal in "Gone With the Wind", offering a fuller picture of the diverse reactions to the march.
Sustainable Development Goals
Sherman's march, while destructive, inadvertently led to the liberation of enslaved people, offering them a chance to escape poverty and build new lives. The mass exodus of formerly enslaved people joining Sherman's army highlights their pursuit of economic independence and freedom from the exploitative system of slavery.