5 - The 19th Century - Photography In War & Conflict

Portrait of Mathew Brady www.stateandfed.com

The USA won independence from Britain in 1783, however trade was still a triangle between Africa, USA and Britain. Trade mostly including African Slaves and Cotton from the USA. By 1807 this started to change, with Britain abolishing slavery in 1807 in it's own country, and by 1833 throughout it's empire. This abolishment led to North America following the abolition, promoted by Abraham Lincoln. The Southern States disagreed with this and believed that slavery should stay. This disagreement caused the American Civil War, which lasted from 1861-65. The American Civil war allowed for documentary photography, and for new photographers to come into the picture including Mathew Brady and Timothy O' Sullivan. 

War Photographs Taken on the Battlefields of the Civil War Mathew B. Brady 

The photographs taken by documentary photographers like Brady and O' Sullivan were more than often somewhat horrific, showing the dark side of war such as death and bullets, rather than the glorious side like victory walks and raising the countries flag. However these action photo's were often set up. As the camera's had a long exposure time, bodies were often placed in the shot to make the photo look more horrific.