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Free blacks and emancipated slaves played an active and vital part in the Northern war effort. Approximately 500,000 slaves came within Union lines during the War. Most of these freedmen went to work as laborers or soldiers for the North. More than 200,000 blacks fought in the Union Army and Navy. They were a key part to the success of the North. Without their help, the North could not have won the war as soon as it did.
As soldiers in the Army and Navy, black troops had to overcome many obstacles. Some of these obstacles included racism within the white regiments and equal pay. The biggest obstacle to overcome was the North's reluctancy to allow black soldiers on the front line to fight. But the black soldier overcame all of these and started making history for themselves as a people.
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