['U.S. Monitor Passaic', 'U.S.S. Wyoming'] before 1890

Edward H. Hart made these images of the U.S. Monitor Passaic and the U.S.S. Wyoming, two American warships, using albumen silver print. Consider the Civil War context in which Hart was working. The Passaic represents a new type of ironclad warship meant to revolutionize naval warfare. The Wyoming, a more traditional steam-powered warship, was involved in significant naval engagements in Asia. Both ships embody technological advancement but also the imperialist ambitions of the United States during a period of intense internal conflict. Photography during the Civil War provided a powerful means of documenting and disseminating images of war and technology, influencing public perception. These photographs served a propagandistic function, promoting the strength and technological prowess of the Union war machine. How do these images reinforce or challenge our understanding of American identity and power during the Civil War?