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The American Red Cross

 

When Barton asked for permission to go to the front lines to help wounded soldiers she was ridiculed because she was a woman, but she finally got permission. (Hamilton 6). She brought bandages, salves, honey, soup, bread, crackers, and other items. In 1866 Barton got a grant from congress for 5,000 dollars. This was one of the first big steps in the organizing of the American Red Cross. (Hamilton 8). Another thing that Barton did during the Civil War was taking names from people who didn't know where somebody was. Then Barton would take the lists and find out if the people were POW or MIA. (Hamilton 32). During the Civil War, Barton and her group did not limit their help to one side. They helped any wounded soldier no matter who they were. One time a barn was set up as a hospital and run by Barton. The line of patients had Union and Confederate soldiers in it. (Hamilton 59).
             When Barton went to Europe she had an opportunity to see how the Red Cross in Switzerland worked. She joined the Red Cross in 1870. They worked under the Treaty of Geneva whose goal was to provide aid to all during wartime and establish regulated treatments for POW and wounded soldiers. (Hamilton 62) When Barton saw how smoothly and organized the Red Cross operated and functioned, she was inspired to get the US to sign the Treaty of Geneva. (Hamilton 63) This original group came up with the sign of the Red Cross which is now recognized almost everywhere as a medical beacon. (Hamilton 67).
             Many natural disasters in the US caused need for an organization which would provide a variety of support. Barton had to work very hard to convince the US that the American Red Cross was needed because other organizations were working to gain the confidence of the US, such as the "Order of the Red Cross" and the "Blue Anchor". She also sited that help could be provided during droughts, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, and other disasters.


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