C O M M U N I C A T I O N
The advent of new technology in the 19th century transformed war in America. The means and modes of transferring information during wartime, both on and off the battlefield, across a realm as vast as the continental United States underwent a revolution with the advancement of the telegraph, photograph, cipher, newspaper, and railway. Instead of being a glorified event in the public mentality, warfare was exposed in greater truth by these new modes of communication to the common citizen.
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The telegraph, patented by Samuel Morse in 1847, allowed for more direction and quick communication on and off the battlefield. President Abraham Lincoln now had the ability to actively collaborate with generals on the battlefield to create war strategies, while families in, say, New York, could receive information and letters from their loved ones in Virginia.
Photography greatly influenced the public’s perception of war. The photos of prominent Civil War photographers – such as Mathew Brady and Alexander Gardner – were able to illustrate, when words failed, the true horrors of warfare, as well as provide images of important figures (such as President Lincoln!), allowing the common citizens to be able to recognize their leaders.
Ciphers were the precursors to modern-day espionage. The South seized several key telegraph offices, thereby forcing both sides to think innovatively to send war plans to the various regiments. These very intricate ciphers made it incredibly difficult, although not impossible, for the enemy to intercept the messages.
Newspapers provided another important method of informing the public of the developments of the war. Many newspapers were used to promote certain arguments, known as propaganda, in order to rally up support and sentiments for a particular belief (usually toward either the North or the South).
Railroads were a vital plus, especially for the North, in transportation and communication during the war. In addition to connecting the remote West to the Atlantic, railroads supplemented the transfer of information via the telegraph. As hundreds of miles of telegraph lines went up throughout the country, miles of railroad track were laid as well.
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The telegraph, patented by Samuel Morse in 1847, allowed for more direction and quick communication on and off the battlefield. President Abraham Lincoln now had the ability to actively collaborate with generals on the battlefield to create war strategies, while families in, say, New York, could receive information and letters from their loved ones in Virginia.
Photography greatly influenced the public’s perception of war. The photos of prominent Civil War photographers – such as Mathew Brady and Alexander Gardner – were able to illustrate, when words failed, the true horrors of warfare, as well as provide images of important figures (such as President Lincoln!), allowing the common citizens to be able to recognize their leaders.
Ciphers were the precursors to modern-day espionage. The South seized several key telegraph offices, thereby forcing both sides to think innovatively to send war plans to the various regiments. These very intricate ciphers made it incredibly difficult, although not impossible, for the enemy to intercept the messages.
Newspapers provided another important method of informing the public of the developments of the war. Many newspapers were used to promote certain arguments, known as propaganda, in order to rally up support and sentiments for a particular belief (usually toward either the North or the South).
Railroads were a vital plus, especially for the North, in transportation and communication during the war. In addition to connecting the remote West to the Atlantic, railroads supplemented the transfer of information via the telegraph. As hundreds of miles of telegraph lines went up throughout the country, miles of railroad track were laid as well.