1. They helped to document the war and its aftermath. Brady’s photographs provided a visual record of the war, from the battles to the aftermath. They showed the human toll of the war, and helped to bring the reality of the conflict home to people who were not directly involved. His images had an impact on the way people thought about war and photography, and helped to establish photography as a powerful medium for documenting history.
2. They helped to shape the public’s memory of the war. Brady’s photographs were widely circulated in newspapers, magazines, and books, and they helped to shape the way that people remembered the war. His images of the war's dead and wounded helped to humanize the conflict and to make it more real for people who had not experienced it firsthand. They also helped to create a sense of national identity and unity, and to bring the country together after the war.
3. They helped to inspire future photographers. Brady’s work inspired a generation of photographers, who followed in his footsteps and documented many of the major events of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His images helped to establish the field of documentary photography, and to show the power of photography to tell stories and inform the public.
Brady’s photographs had a profound impact on the country, and they continue to be studied and admired today. They are a powerful reminder of the horrors of war, and of the importance of documenting history.