Final answer:
The conflict between Barbara Frietchie and the Confederate soldiers depicted in Whittier's poem reflects the Civil War's larger political, social, and economic tensions, exacerbated by events like the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter. African American soldiers contributed significantly to both the Union and Confederate armies, especially after 1863.
Step-by-step explanation:
The conflict between Barbara Frietchie and the Confederate soldiers is a fictional event described in a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier. It speaks metaphorically to the larger tensions of the Civil War era. The core issues causing tension between the North and South included political differences over states' rights versus federal authority, economic disputes related to the agriculture-based economy of the South versus the industrial economy of the North, and social strife stemming from the institution of slavery. These issues came to a head with events like the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter, the Baltimore Riot, and the secession of states like Virginia.
African Americans played significant roles in the Civil War, initially contributing to labor efforts and later directly participating as soldiers. Both the Union and Confederate armies incorporated African American soldiers, with the Union officially enlisting them after the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. The use of African American soldiers in the Civil War marked a pivotal point in their fight for freedom and equality, impacting social dynamics of the time.