Civil War Costumes
The American Civil War was anything but civil! American history was changed forever by the outcome of the war, By its end, it had taken the lives of three-quarters of a million soldiers and countless civilians. The Civil War divided families and signifies a crucial turning point in America's history.
The primary issue that triggered the war was slavery, but there were other contributing causes. Planters in the agrarian South believed that:
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the U.S. Constitution allowed each state to make its own policy on slavery
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their African slaves weren't fully human and thus had no constitutional rights
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the federal government had no right to deprive them of property by declaring all slaves free
The industrialized North held that:
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states' rights did not extend that far
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slaves were human beings with inalienable rights
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states had no right to secede from the union, which must be preserved at all cost
The 1860 presidential election turned on the issue of slavery. After Abraham Lincoln won by promising to abolish slavery, seven southern states seceded in open rebellion. This sparked the gruesome war, which lasted from 1861 - 1865. The North eventually won, emerging victorious in decisive battles. Even though it represents a time of adversity in the U.S., it's an important to remember the lives lost and it also showcases a move toward progress. That's why it's important to remember everything that took place in the U.S. over a hundred years ago.
If you're planning a historical project or a reenactment, check out our civil war costumes. We have Union uniforms, based on the clothing worn by soldiers in the North. We also carry plenty of Abraham Lincoln costumes, in both child and adult sizes. He was instrumental during the war and he helped create the change in American that had been sorely needed for over a hundred years. For the soldiers' womenfolk, we have historical dress costumes for girls and women.
