15. Below is an excerpt from the poem, O'Captain! My Captain!, by Walt Whitman. This was written after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and is a selfreflection on the loss of the Union leader. In a short paragraph, talk about what was lost, during the Civil War. What do you think the thoughts of the people were after the war? Try to look at it from all sides: North, South, and slaves. Use evidence that occurred in the Civil War to back up your response. Try to put yourself in the shoes of each side and ask yourself, "How would I feel?" This response is about personal reflection on the events and backing it up with evidence. My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still, My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will, The ship is anchor'd safe and sound, its voyage closed and done, From fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object won; Exult O shores, and ring O bells! But I with mournful tread, Walk the deck my Captain lies, Fallen cold and dead.
The Civil War resulted in a tremendous loss for all sides involved. The North lost thousands of soldiers and saw the country torn apart by war. Families were devastated by the death of loved ones, and the nation was left to rebuild and reconcile. The South lost their fight for secession and their way of life was forever changed. They faced economic devastation and societal upheaval in the aftermath of the war. Slaves finally gained their freedom, but were left to navigate a new world as they sought to establish their place in society. The thoughts of the people after the war were likely filled with grief, uncertainty, and hope for the future. The North celebrated their victory, but mourned the cost of war. The South struggled to come to terms with defeat and the loss of their livelihoods. Slaves faced the challenges of rebuilding their lives and seeking equality in a still-divided nation. Overall, the aftermath of the Civil War was a complex and emotional time for all involved.
