The theme of holy war is present in the book "What They Fought For 1861-1865" by James McPherson. The book examines why soldiers fought in the American Civil War and highlights the role religion played in motivating soldiers on both sides of the conflict. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Many soldiers in the Union Army believed they were fighting for a noble cause: the preservation of the United States as a single, united country. They saw their fight as a defense of the Constitution and the principles of liberty and equality on which the nation was founded. For these soldiers, war was a sacred duty and they believed that God was on their side. On the other hand, many soldiers in the Confederate Army believed that they were fighting to defend their rights as citizens of their individual state. They viewed the war as a struggle for self-government and state's rights, and they believed that God had ordained their cause. For these soldiers, war was a sacred duty and they believed that God was on their side. In addition to these core beliefs, soldiers on both sides also cited specific religious reasons for fighting. Union soldiers often cited the abolition of slavery as a moral imperative, and many believed that God called them to fight to end this evil institution. Confederate soldiers, on the other hand, often cite their belief in the Bible's teachings about the sanctity of property and a state's right to secede from the Union. Despite these differences, Union soldiers and Confederate soldiers were united in their belief that the war was a holy and just cause. They believed that God guided their actions and that they fought to uphold the principles of righteousness and justice. Additionally, God played an important role in the Civil War, not only as a source of inspiration for the soldiers' actions, but also as a source of comfort. , guidance and understanding of the purpose and meaning of their sacrifices. Soldiers invoked God's name in their letters, diaries and speeches. They wrote about the sense of divine protection they felt on the battlefield and often asked God for guidance and strength. They also wrote about the guilt they felt for participating in the war and the pain of losing friends and family members. Religion played a role in soldiers' understanding of death and the afterlife. Many soldiers believed that dying for a just cause was a noble and heroic act and that God would reward them in the afterlife. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized paper now from our expert writers. Get a Custom Essay In conclusion, the theme of holy war was prevalent in the American Civil War, with soldiers on both sides invoking God and religion to justify their actions and find meaning in the sacrifices they made. The book “What They Fought For 1861-1865” by James McPherson illustrates how religion played an important role in motivating soldiers and in their understanding of war. It shows how belief in a just cause and God's guidance helped soldiers endure the hardships of war and find purpose in their sacrifices..