How are the Sierra Leonean and the American Civil Wars Similar and Different? What Causes These Civil Wars?
These two civil wars had more in common than most people would think considering they were fought over 120 years apart, but the causes for civil wars seem to remain the same. Mismanagement of a country can mean total destruction, both of these countries had struggling governments before their wars began. For example, Sierra Leone’s government was extremely corrupt and brutal, and America’s government was indecisive of their next step forward. Probably one of the biggest differences between the American and Sierra Leonean civil wars is the way they ended. The American Civil War ended with a more obvious victor, the Union army. On the other hand, the Sierra Leonean Civil War wasn’t really being fought for a clear reason thus there was no distinct winner.
One similarity between these two civil wars was who fought in them, both of these wars used child soldiers, but in two completely different ways. Many African countries, including Sierra Leone, practice the use of child soldiers. However, child soldiers in Africa have no choice but to join the army because of their living conditions, they must do what is best for their survival. However, in the American Civil War children were signing up voluntarily because they truly believed in the cause they were defending.
The reconstruction and resolution of both of these wars had both similarities and differences as well. For example, after the war in Sierra Leone ended, the two main goals of the Sierra Leonean government were to pay off their debt and continue to keep the peace. At the conclusion of the Sierra Leonean Civil War, UN (United Nations) soldiers worked hard to keep another violent outburst from occurring. Similarly, at the end of the American Civil War, violence was still a risk. Southerners had unresolved feelings about slavery being abolished and wanted to make it clear to the whole country that they were going to do anything they could to bring slavery back to America. Also, after peace came over America, government officials had to revise their government to fit the new “no slavery” laws that were soon going to be added to the Constitution. However, the “after shocks” of the civil war in America were mostly fought on paper so the risk of violence slowly decreased as time progressed. Civil wars have been fought for many years all over the world, and surprisingly enough each of these wars have more in common than one would think.
One similarity between these two civil wars was who fought in them, both of these wars used child soldiers, but in two completely different ways. Many African countries, including Sierra Leone, practice the use of child soldiers. However, child soldiers in Africa have no choice but to join the army because of their living conditions, they must do what is best for their survival. However, in the American Civil War children were signing up voluntarily because they truly believed in the cause they were defending.
The reconstruction and resolution of both of these wars had both similarities and differences as well. For example, after the war in Sierra Leone ended, the two main goals of the Sierra Leonean government were to pay off their debt and continue to keep the peace. At the conclusion of the Sierra Leonean Civil War, UN (United Nations) soldiers worked hard to keep another violent outburst from occurring. Similarly, at the end of the American Civil War, violence was still a risk. Southerners had unresolved feelings about slavery being abolished and wanted to make it clear to the whole country that they were going to do anything they could to bring slavery back to America. Also, after peace came over America, government officials had to revise their government to fit the new “no slavery” laws that were soon going to be added to the Constitution. However, the “after shocks” of the civil war in America were mostly fought on paper so the risk of violence slowly decreased as time progressed. Civil wars have been fought for many years all over the world, and surprisingly enough each of these wars have more in common than one would think.