Final answer:
African Americans aided the Confederate cause primarily due to coercion, as their labor was often forcibly used in support roles. Personal survival and complex loyalties also played a part, outweighing ideological support for the Confederacy. The Confederate enlistment of black soldiers occurred too late to significantly alter the war's outcome.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the American Civil War, there were indeed instances where African Americans aided the Confederate cause. One compelling reason for this aid was the fact that their labor was largely coerced, as many slaves were compelled to support the Confederate war effort in various capacities such as manual labor, attending to hospitals, and handling logistical support. It is important to acknowledge that these contributions were rarely voluntary and were often a result of the enslaved status of these individuals, forcing them to work without compensation or consent.
Furthermore, it is essential to differentiate between the coerced service and any suggestion of willingly fighting for the Confederacy. Historical evidence suggests that while some African Americans ended up performing actions that may have appeared supportive of the Confederate cause, their situations often involved nuanced personal loyalties and survival instincts rather than an ideological alignment with the Confederate states. For example, an enslaved person might protect the Confederate soldiers they were with, not out of support for the Confederacy, but for immediate personal safety or concern for familiar individuals, such as their masters.
Only in the last days of the war did the Confederate government, as an act of desperation, pass legislation to allow the enlistment of black soldiers. However, this was too late to make any significant impact, and the number of African Americans that enlisted was minimal, with many being hospital workers from Richmond