George W. Pettit
Union Refugees

• Where is your eye drawn when you look at this painting? What does the artist not show to us? What might be right beyond the frame?
• Imagine this painting as a moment in time. What might have occurred either before or after?

This Civil War scene presents the faces of men and women, young and old, black and white, who display hope, sadness, and defiance. The issue of Union refugees— people fleeing the Southern states—was frequently discussed in Northern newspapers during the war and became the subject for this Philadelphia painter. Who would take them in? What would be their fate? The subject remains relevant today, as refugees displaced by wars worldwide leave loved ones and belongings behind to seek a better life.

• What are the consequences of war or political violence for civilians? How do we see the needs of refugees affecting American policies and politics today?
• When politicians are making important decisions about laws and public policies, why might it matter that they have diverse experiences, opinions, and perspectives?
• What does the government owe its citizens in terms of justice and retribution for those who are wronged?