Julia Ward Howe

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Battle Hymn of the Republic “As He died to make men holy let us die to make men free” (Howe 1999). Due to conflicts between the Northern and Southern territories in the United States, a bleak and somber strife uprose called the Civil War. The controversy of westward expansion and ideals of slavery were mostly responsible for the cause of the war. The majority of the North were opposed to slavery, seeing it as immoral and unjust. However, viewing slaves as useful, the South was predominately supportive of it. As tensions intensified, changes in leadership occurred therefore causing backlash. About four years after the beginning of the dispute, the South finally surrendered to the North and the United States, previously divided, was on the path …show more content…

After the Civil War began, Howe had doubts that the North would be victorious, as an abolitionist. As a child, she would write poems, volumes of verse, travel sketches, and essays. Julia Howe accomplished many things in her life and was a extremely busy woman. She became president of the American Branch of the Women's International Peace Association, help found the New England Women's Club, organized the New England Woman Suffrage Association, in addition to organizing the American Woman Suffrage Association (“Julia Ward Howe” 1998). She soon joined the United States Sanitary Commision, in which she traveled some. Howe strengthened herself as a reformer then later she wrote the meaningful lyrics to "The Battle Hymn of the Republic". This piece of literature is responsible for her becoming one of the best-known and honored women in america. The style of her work was incredibly inspirational to many, moreover, “her language was evocative of the Bible and indicative of patriotism” (“Julia Ward Howe” …show more content…

Julia Howe supported the abolition of slavery. She fought for women’s rights, and stood up for what she believed in. Howe yearned for the end of enslavement. Although there was no specific event in particular responsible for being the inspiration of the song, its influence was due to the ending of slavery. Not directly involved in the war, Howe was very involved in society. She fought for her beliefs and for the freedom of others. The lyrics were not specifically directed about someone specifically, but for all who were bound and enslaved (“Julia Ward Howe” 1998). The Civil War had a great role in the origin of this hymn, this literature would not have been written if this era was

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