History of the United States I / Unit 15 USH1 2155 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Unequal Pay
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The idea
African American soldiers received ten dollars a month with three deducted for clothing, while White soldiers received thirteen dollars with no deduction.
In practice
Many Black regiments hauling supplies, cooking and digging trenches rather than fighting.
Where people slip
Racism among White Union soldiers produced beliefs that Black soldiers were ineffective. The pay was corrected in eighteen sixty-four, with equal pay and back compensation from sixty-three.
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