dorothea dix project
TRANSCRIPT
BY: ALYSSA MEKA
Dorothea Dix
Civil War Nurses—”Angels Civil War Nurses—”Angels of the battlefield”.of the battlefield”.
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Key Points to Know
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Who was Dorothea Dix?
What role did Dix play in the Civil War?
How was she an inspiration during the Civil War?
How did the nursing of Dorothea Dix have an effect on the well being of the Civil War?
Who was Dorothea Dix?
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• As of 1861, Dorothea Dix was the Union’s Superintendent of Union Army Nurses. Dix was the leader in a national effort to organize nursing teams to care for the sick & wounded of the Civil War. At a time when women were just beginning to take on more responsibility, there could be no risk of mess-ups & Dix’s strict attitude made sure this didn’t happen.
What role did Dix play in the Civil War?
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Exactly 1 week after the attack on Fort Sumter, Dix volunteered her services to the Union as “boss” to the woman nurses working in army hospitals. Under her decisions, Dix was able to draft 2,000 women nurses to take part in the Army Medical Bureau. This greatly improved the nursing care during the war & made it better than it ever had been before.
How did Dix inspire other women nurses during the Civil War?
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Though Dix was strict and stern, she convinced many military officials that women had a place in the military world. Because she introduced women to a new environment, women took a giant step to being fully involved in American society. As the war continued, Dix’s actions led to over 3,000 women serving as Union army nurses.
Driving Question
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How did the nursing of Dorothea Dix have an effect on the well being of the Civil War?
During the Civil War, many nurses were needed to care for the sick and wounded. The actions of Dorothea Dix made it possible for all the hurt to be cared for. She achieved in drafting 2,000 women nurses and the healthcare of the Civil War improved a lot.
Sources
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"Civil War Nurses, "The Angels of the Battlefield"" The American Civil War Home Page. Web. 6 May 2011. <http://www.civilwarhome.com/civilwarnurses.htm>.
"Dorothea Dix Biography." The American Civil War Home Page. Web. 6 May 2011. <http://www.civilwarhome.com/dixbio.htm>.
"Nurse Treating a Wounded Soldier in a Civil War Hospital Photo at AllPosters.com." AllPosters.com - The World's Largest Poster and Print Store! Web. 9 May 2011. <http://www.allposters.com/-sp/Nurse-Treating-a-Wounded-Soldier-in-a-Civil-War-Hospital-Posters_i7778575_.htm>.