Final answer:
African Americans tried to undermine the Confederacy by escaping and aiding the Union, some serving as soldiers. They transformed the Civil War into a fight for emancipation, despite the complex scenario within the Confederate states where their roles and recognition were limited.
Step-by-step explanation:
The role of African Americans during the Civil War was complex and varied across the spectrum. Some slaves tried to undermine the Confederacy by providing labor to the Union forces, escaping from plantations, and in some cases, fighting for the Union Army. Almost 200,000 black men, including former slaves and those born free, joined the Union forces and distinguished themselves both on and off the battlefield.
Other African Americans stayed within the Confederacy, where they served in manual labor roles, such as cooks, musicians, and laborers, aiding the Confederate war effort, although their involvement did not equate to being recognized as soldiers by the Confederate government. In March 1865, in an act of desperation, the Confederate government did pass a law allowing for the enlistment of black soldiers, but this was too little, too late, and only a small number enlisted.
Furthermore, African-American struggles and their contribution to the Union's victory changed the meaning of the Civil War, turning it into a fight not just for the Union but for emancipation and freedom.