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The U.S. Civil Wars Impact on Womens Work and Political Participation

Author

Listed:
  • Arnsbarger, Madison

    (Weber State University)

  • Ferrara, Andreas

    (University of Pittsburgh)

  • Montrose, Paige

    (University of Pittsburgh)

Abstract

This paper studies the role of economic participation via the labour market in enabling the political mobilization of an underrepresented group. Specifically, we study the wives and daughters of disabled Union Army soldiers after the U.S. Civil War. Linking Union Army enlistment records to the 1860 and 1870 U.S. censuses, we find that the wives and daughters of disabled veterans were significantly more likely to participate in the labour force than those of non-disabled veterans. Historical evidence suggests that disabled veterans were also more exposed to post-war alcohol and substance abuse, increasing the household burdens faced by women. Town-level data show that increases in womens labour force participation combined with higher shares of disabled veterans predict more Temperance Crusade activity in 1873/74. Information provision via newspapers and proximity to other protest towns amplify these effects. Using unit-level disability rates as an instrument for veterans disability status supports a causal interpretation of the labour market effects. Our results suggest that labour force participation can be an important enabling factor for the political mobilization of underrepresented groups.

Suggested Citation

  • Arnsbarger, Madison & Ferrara, Andreas & Montrose, Paige, 2026. "The U.S. Civil Wars Impact on Womens Work and Political Participation," CAGE Online Working Paper Series 807, Competitive Advantage in the Global Economy (CAGE).
    • Handle: RePEc:cge:wacage:807
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • N31 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - U.S.; Canada: Pre-1913
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J18 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Public Policy
    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior

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