Which of the following best describes the conditions faced by soldiers during the Civil War?

Question

A. Improved military technology meant that most soldiers died instantly on the battlefield.
B. Poor conditions were exacerbated by the fact that most soldiers were young men under the age of 21.
C. Food was bad and scarce, but plentiful Southern cotton was used to make clothes and shelter appropriate to the seasons.
D. Prisoners of war on both sides were generally treated well and released soon after a battle.

Answer 1

The option that best describes the conditions faced by soldiers during the Civil War is:

B. Poor conditions were exacerbated by the fact that most soldiers were young men under the age of 21.

Many soldiers in the Civil War were indeed young, often under 21, and they faced harsh conditions including inadequate supplies, poor food, disease, and challenging living situations. The combination of their youth and the dire circumstances increased the hardships they experienced.

Other options contain inaccuracies:

• A is misleading as while improved military technology led to higher casualty rates, deaths were not always instantaneous.
• C is incorrect since while food was often scarce, cotton was not typically used for clothing or shelter; soldiers often had issues with uniforms and supplies.
• D is not accurate as many prisoners of war faced severe mistreatment and poor conditions on both sides.