Question 1: Why do you think the geographical location of Andersonville was chosen?
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Question 2: Why would it be challenging to run a prison during wartime?
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Question 3: How do we know about the conditions at Andersonville? What primary sources/artifacts have historians used to learn about life at Andersonville?
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Question 4: What were the conditions for prisoners at Andersonville (make sure to discuss crowding, disease and food and water supply)
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Question 5: What caused the tragic conditions at Andersonville prisoner of war camp during the Civil War?
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Question 1: The geographical location of Andersonville was chosen because it was far away from the front lines of the Civil War and had access to a railroad line. This made it easier to transport prisoners to the camp and also reduced the risk of enemy attacks.
Question 2: Running a prison during wartime would be challenging due to the large number of prisoners, limited resources, and the constant threat of enemy attacks. The influx of prisoners during wartime would strain the capacity of the prison, making it difficult to provide adequate food, water, and medical care. The constant threat of enemy attacks would also require extra security measures to be put in place.
Question 3: We know about the conditions at Andersonville from various primary sources and artifacts. These include diaries and letters written by prisoners, official reports and documents from the Confederate authorities, photographs, drawings, and testimonies from survivors.
Question 4: The conditions for prisoners at Andersonville were extremely harsh. The camp was severely overcrowded, with over 30,000 prisoners held in a space designed for only 10,000. This led to a lack of shelter and sanitation, with prisoners having to live in makeshift tents or holes dug in the ground. The lack of proper sanitation and the close quarters led to the rapid spread of diseases, such as dysentery and scurvy. The food and water supply was inadequate, with prisoners often receiving spoiled or contaminated food and dirty water.
Question 5: The tragic conditions at Andersonville were caused by a combination of factors. The Confederate authorities were ill-prepared to handle such a large number of prisoners and lacked the necessary resources to provide for their basic needs. The overcrowding, lack of sanitation, and inadequate food and water supply were exacerbated by the Confederate government's policy of prioritizing resources for its own soldiers. Additionally, the harsh conditions can also be attributed to the breakdown of the prisoner exchange system between the Union and Confederate forces, which further contributed to the overcrowding and strain on resources at Andersonville.