What does rich man's war and poor man's fight mean?

Answer 1

In the context not only of the American Civil War but of many other wars, as well, the phrase "rich man's war and poor man's fight" is a significant one. Its basic meaning is that, while wealthy leaders may cause wars, it is the poor people who end up doing the actual fighting -- and dying.

Answer 2

A rich man's war and a poor man's fight is a slogan that was coined by the southerners. This was after the Enrollment Act was passed as a way of getting manpower for the Union Army and required all male citizens between the age of 20 and forty five to enroll.

Answer 3

The war was often called 'A rich man's war but a poor man's fight'.

This meant that the poor were having to do the fighting for the interests of the rich. Also the Union side allowed a conscript to pay a substitute to serve in his place. This was very bad for morale, and the substitutes were often the scum of the earth, who deserted and then found another rich conscript to pay him to do his service for him.

Grant reckoned that not one in eight of these substitutes rendered any useful service in the front line.

Answer 4

The forces of both sides of the Civil War conflict were the so-called "common man".

This was most evident in the draft laws of the Union and the Confederacy.

In the Union, a conscripted man could pay a $300 fee to the Union and escape the draft. Also, if a man in the North could find a person to take his place in the draft, then that man need not serve.

In the South, the draft laws excluded people who had at least 20 slaves. Since most Southerners did not own 20 or more slaves, the plain, common man in the South fought in the War, while a wealthy slave owner was exempt.

Answer 5

i think it was Abe Lincoln