Question

When they began serving in the Union Army in 1863, black soldiers were initially treated unequally to their white counterparts because they were:

A. Assigned to non-combat roles only
B. Given lower ranks and less pay
C. Denied access to proper uniforms and equipment
D. Excluded from military training

Answer 1

Black soldiers in the Union Army were given lower ranks and less pay compared to their white counterparts, with African American soldiers earning ten dollars per month with deductions, against thirteen dollars without deductions for white soldiers. The correct option is B.

Step-by-step explanation:

When they began serving in the Union Army in 1863, black soldiers were initially treated unequally to their white counterparts because they were given lower ranks and less pay.

African American soldiers received ten dollars per month, with three dollars deducted for clothing, whereas white soldiers received thirteen dollars monthly with no deductions.

Despite the challenges, including discriminatory practices and segregation, the Emancipation Proclamation led to the enrollment of African American men as Union soldiers, and by the end of the war, their numbers had swelled to over 190,000.

Not only did they face disparities in compensation, but many were also assigned laborious tasks rather than combat roles, highlighting the racial prejudices of the time. It took until 1864 for Congress to adjust the pay to be equal for black and white soldiers, with retroactive pay back to 1863. The correct option is B.