Fredrick Douglas, the most famous Black abolitionist during the Civil War, said that three things were needed during the Civil War for Blacks during to have true freedom. They needed the cartridge box, the jury box, and the ballot box. He believed the only way to achieve the second two was to obtain the first and he spent a great deal of time lobbying for Blacks to be allowed to serve in the army. He got his wish in 1863 after the Emancipation Proclamation allowed for Black troops.
Historically Speaking 