What is the point of reenacting battles of the American Revolution and The Civil War?

Similar questions: point reenacting battles American Revolution Civil War.

Speaking from experience... I once saw a reenactment of the civil war that was so real I was dumbfounded. Men were shot and killed. Brothers and fathers were shooting at each other.

Women screamed, cried and ran out onto the battle field to help their fallen loved ones while soldiers tried desperately to drag those women off the field. All I know is that by the time it was over, I had tears in my eyes and I felt like I was really there when it happened. I have a new appreciation for that part of history.

What's the point of reenacting? To make sure we remember and appreciate our history.

It's a hobby for many.... Just like some collect stamps or coins, or some go camping or rockclimbing, others chose to learn about a particular era of history and live it, however briefly. I’ve not personally done any re-enacting of battles, but I’ve attended Civil War musters and I find it absolutely fascinating. You have to love history, for one thing, and it helps if you are somewhat of a perfectionist in your thinking--some of them want every detail to be accurate, from handstitched clothing and footwear to the appropriate underwear for the era.

They are the true purists, who obsess over being as historically accurate as possible. It’s not a cheap hobby; you can easily spend a thousand dollars to be properly suited up and armed; male or female. It’s a great way to REALLY learn about history, both from the broad general knowledge about a period, down to the minute details of a particular person, or a person of the era in general.

But from what I’ve seen, it’s also a big social event for the participators. They set up their tents, and there is a lot of socializing going on, in addition to the battle re-enacting. They cook their food on an open fire, socialize with the other re-enactors, attend period-style dances (where the proper ball gowns and clothes are vital!) and get to know each other.

It’s definitely a time for bonding and making new friends, just as much as it is learning history and participating in re-enactments. It also becomes a "one upmanship" contest for some--who has the best, most unique and most accurate reproduction pieces as part of their supplies. I think most feel that they are actually educating the public with what they do, too, showing both the "glory" and the horror of war.

Then there is the actual battle. It’s a bit of having fun, getting to play act another role in life and sometimes to even play dead, getting to shoot guns or use other weapons without hurting anyone else (as people do with paintball type games, too), and hang out with (mostly) a lot of guys. And then they go have a beer!

There’s an interesting book about re-enactors, called Confederates in the Attic. It talks about some that are so serious about looking and playing the part that they almost starve themselves to have that lean "Andersonville prisoner" look about them. They LIVE the re-enacting; it becomes part of their everyday life.

Some have not stopped fighting the Civil War, for real. While I love history, I have no desire to re-enact to this degree--I want to be able to take those clothes off and have a shower and sleep in my comfortable bed! I took these photos at a local Muster I attended last year: Some bring everything but the kitchen sink in their tents These guys rushed the crowd at the end with their bayonets!

Poppet! 's Recommendations So You Want To Be A Soldier: How To Get Started in Civil War Re-enacting Amazon List Price: $9.95 Used from: $8.42 Average Customer Rating: 5.0 out of 5 (based on 4 reviews) Confederates in the Attic: Dispatches from the Unfinished Civil War Used from: $3.82 Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (based on 275 reviews) .

Our neighborhood just did that...... In Kirkwood Georgia, the Civil war had some big event called the Battle of Atlanta. A small side note is that the in our area the armies accidently collided and a growing battle over several days marked the actual start of the Battle of atlanta. I think we did reenactments for a few reasons.

1.2.Amusement.3. Participants get a kick and get to socialize.4. Community events and festivals are fun.5.

>my reason> many people enjoy learning about the lives other humans have led. I also think anything like this gets the local retailers excited and seeing dollar signs. That adds fuel to the fire and the more fire the more people and on and on..

1 We don't have that much history, but we'd like to keep it alive. How better, until we can do it seamlessly with digital, to feel what if might have been like. Two good choices, by the way.

Napoleonic tactics compared to the new military thought of the nineteenth century? They do this everywhere you know, not just here. If it's not your cup o' then leave it.

We don't have that much history, but we'd like to keep it alive. How better, until we can do it seamlessly with digital, to feel what if might have been like. Two good choices, by the way.

Napoleonic tactics compared to the new military thought of the nineteenth century? They do this everywhere you know, not just here. If it's not your cup o' then leave it.

NormanL replied to post #1: 2 It is not a matter of it being my cup of tea, I just asked a question. No flippant answers required.

It is not a matter of it being my cup of tea, I just asked a question. No flippant answers required.

" "OK HERE IS THE "BIG" QUESTION FOLKS. GET OUT YOUR HISTORY BOOKS, WHAT WAS THE TURNING POINT OF THE CIVIL WAR?" "What was the main impetus in your opinion for the American Civil War? " "In the American Civil War, why didn't they use machine guns?

" "Can you recommend a history textbook for 16 year olds about Western Expansion and the Civil War?" "The best poems to come out of the American Civil War. Which do you recommend me to use in class in England?

Why was the american civil war an important event in history.

My son wants one that you can actually "play" the battles, not just strategize.

Ok here is the "big" question folks. Get out your history books, what was the turning point of the civil war?

The best poems to come out of the American Civil War. Which do you recommend me to use in class in England?

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.