What was it like for the people who werent in the civil war and what was it like for the soldiers during the civil war and how did it affect them after they had got done fighting?

Answer 1

well you've asked a pretty tough and debatable question, and it was different for everyone, but...I'll try!

for civilians in the north, it was mainly economic stress; since so much money was going into the fighting, prices went up, but the main effect on families was all the men going off to fight. later on, there was a draft, and there were riots in the cities, but since little to no actual fighting went on in union states, the larger effects were saved for the confederacy.

the south felt economic stress from its creation, because the confederate dollar was so weak. and because of the northern blockade in the Atlantic, they couldn't sell or import any goods, mainly cotton. so everything had to be either smuggled in or made at home. civilians suffered from constant raids from northern and southern troops, and of course, the men, (and even a few women!), went to the battlefields to fight.

after the war, men in the army went home and often complained of boredom and restless behavior; this was often due to post traumatic stress. nowadays, even, veterans of Iraq claim similar symptoms: vivid nightmares, inability to sleep, amnesia, etc. so back then, it was worse, because they didn't have proper doctors. many were unable to make decent livings, because they had no real drive in life. for southern veterans, it was even worse, because they went home to virtually nothing, their homes mowed to the ground by war.

hope i helped, a little bit.