How did women like Dorothea Dix and Clara Barton contribute to the Union war effort during the Civil War?

Question

1. They accompanied their husbands to war.
2. They worked as nurses for the Union army.
3. They enlisted and fought with the army.
4. They took jobs to support their families.

Answer 1

During the Civil War, women like Dorothea Dix and Clara Barton primarily contributed to the Union war effort in the following ways:

2. They worked as nurses for the Union army.

Dorothea Dix was instrumental in organizing and improving the nursing corps for the Union army, advocating for better care for soldiers. Clara Barton also served as a nurse, providing medical care on the battlefield and later founded the American Red Cross. While some women did take on various roles to support their families or followed their husbands to war, their most significant contributions were through their nursing efforts.