Women occupy an important position in society; they have many roles and can do everything men do. Women have contributed a lot in the past and present; it might just be little things, but it could make a difference one way or another. Throughout history there have been many battles; one battle was the American Civil War, fought from 1861 to 1865. The Civil War was a devastating war that this country saw. The Civil War was a struggle between the North and the South. During this war, women filled many roles that contributed to the outcome; women helped to fight in war; they acted as nurses and the Civil War affected them significantly. Women helped fight in the Civil War in various ways, though it may not be physically. Women at this point were prohibited from joining the army; however, over 400 women assisted as soldiers in the Civil War. To join the army they had to dress up as men and change their names to something more masculine. Their disguises were very convincing so much so that they were often unmasked by accidents while being treated for injuries or illnesses. Women who joined the army, who carried weapons, were usually employed women, immigrant women, or poor women. Women also helped in another way; some women were spies, who collected valuable information which was then used. These women gathered useful information by flirting with male soldiers on several occasions (The Roles). One Confederate spy was Rose Greenhow, who gathered crucial information from elected officials and representatives to pass on their secrets to Beauregard, a Confederate general (Secret). Other women smuggled useful supplies for their soldiers. Some of these supplies in...... middle of paper ......war expanded women's roles and made women question their rightful place in society (women). Women had many roles during the Civil War, which contributed to the outcome; they helped fight and acted as nurses during the war and this affected them greatly. Without the help of women in this war, the outcome could have been different. Works Cited Brenton, Josiah H., Jr. "What Women Did for War and What War Did for Women (1894)." Women in America. Woodbridge, CT: Primary Source Media, 1999. AmericanJourney. Student resources in context. Network. May 16, 2014. "Secret Agents in Hoop Skirts: Female Spies of the Civil War." History.com. A&E TelevisionNetworks, September 3, 2013. Web. May 22, 2014."Women's Role in the Civil War." Civil War saga. Np, nd Web. May 14, 2014."Women in the Civil War." History.com. A&E and Web television networks. May 15 2014.