Final answer:
During the Union occupation of New Orleans, the city experienced a mix of hope and oppression. While enslaved people saw a chance for freedom, they faced continued hardships under new conditions. The overall city experienced destruction, occupation, and significant social changes during and after the Civil War.
Step-by-step explanation:
Life in New Orleans during the Union occupation in the Civil War was complex and fraught with tension. The arrival of Union forces in New Orleans was met with a mix of fear and liberation among different groups. For enslaved people, the Union's presence signified a chance for freedom, though in practice they remained subject to the whims of white investors even as they worked leased lands. The general population of New Orleans experienced destruction and a sense of occupation, as the Union navy bombarded the city and Confederate forces destroyed ships and military supplies to prevent them from falling into Union hands. Despite the hopes for a better life post-occupation, the post-war Reconstruction period was a painful experience for many, characterized by physical devastation, social upheaval, and significant changes to the demographic makeup of the city.
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