US Civil War

Arguably, no president has received more scrutiny than Abraham Lincoln. Doris Kearns Goodwin offers a new and scholarly view of Lincoln.

Sep 18, 2011 - Harvey Craft

The ability to compromise reflects the genius of the democratic system but in 1860 it failed due to party extremists, leading the nation into Civil War.

Jul 30, 2011 - Michael Streich

Shiloh introduced industrial scale killing to the western world, neither army won and the Confederate Commander was killed in action.

Jan 3, 2011 - Michael Manning

Jefferson Davis' life prepared him to lead the Confederate States of America, yet when disunion came his leadership was unequal to the task.

Dec 25, 2010 - Michael Streich

The start of the Civil War began with the fall of Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina, and the heroic actions of the commander, Major Robert Anderson.

Dec 16, 2010 - Michael Streich

Lincoln's efforts to keep Britain and France out of the Civil War isolated the South and contributed to the eventual Union victory in 1865.

Dec 16, 2010 - Michael Streich

Lincoln accepted the legality of slavery, unlike some of his Republican colleagues, but questioned its morality, setting the stage for Ft Sumter and war.

Dec 14, 2010 - Michael Streich

Abraham Lincoln called for a speedy and lasting peace three days before his assassination, yet his vision would be obscured by the Radical Republicans.

Dec 6, 2010 - Michael Streich

With the increased interest in African American studies, these references help tell this remarkable story of courage on both sides of the battle lines.

Jun 21, 2010 - Bonnye Good

Although historians and observers have focused on a number of causes of the Civil War, each of these separate "causes" can be linked to Southern slavery.

Jun 6, 2010 - Michael Streich

Juneteenth refers to June 19,1865, when Texans and others mark the emancipation of slaves and abolition of slavery. Juneteenth is also called Freedom Day.

May 19, 2010 - Melanie Zoltan

Abraham Lincoln, as most 19th Century American political leaders, knew the Bible well & interpreted it in terms of the vision of republicanism and equality.

Apr 26, 2010 - Michael Streich

President Johnson's Amnesty Proclamation appeared to many Northerners to undo four years of war, focusing on leniency in contrast to Republican policies.

Apr 20, 2010 - Michael Streich

General Sherman's Special Field Order 15 settled 40,000 freedmen and their families on land in eastern South Carolina, subject to Congress & the President.

Apr 19, 2010 - Michael Streich

The long duration of the war enabled the Union to out-man and out-supply the Confederate armies, ultimately ensuring a Northern victory.

Apr 18, 2010 - Michael Streich

In early September of 1862 the Army of the Potomac prepared for what would prove to be the bloodiest single day of the Civil War - the Battle of Antietam.

Jan 21, 2010 - Harvey Craft

Many who love history and art can combine both to portray realistic versions of famous or forgotten people throughout history.

Jan 5, 2010 - Bonnye Good

Emancipation began as a gradual process that culminated in Abraham Lincoln's 1863 Emancipation Proclamation, starting a path toward full social and political equality.

Nov 26, 2009 - Michael Streich

Although many factors contributed to Southern loss such as lack of industry and allies, the war was decided on the battlefields at places like Vicksburg and Gettysburg.

Nov 16, 2009 - Michael Streich

Both emancipations of the 1860s ended long periods of bondage yet in each case significant differences undermined the altruistic motives usually equated with freedom.

Oct 24, 2009 - Michael Streich

The capture and occupation of New Orleans closed the Mississippi River to trade and shut down the prosperous cotton exports to Europe while fueling Northern morale.

Aug 11, 2009 - Michael Streich

October 16 will mark the 150th anniversary of John Brown's raid in Harpers Ferry. Hollywood sometimes misrepresented what happened but Brown's historic legacy endures.

Aug 7, 2009 - John Seidenberg

In the turbulent decade of the 1850s, John Brown's raid at Harpers Ferry was the culminating act that convinced Southerners civil war was a real possibility.

Jun 13, 2009 - Michael Streich

Born in Raleigh, North Carolina, in 1808 Andrew Johnson is regarded as one of the worst Presidents in American history.

May 31, 2009 - Terry Long

Tall, stately and formal, James Buchanan was the only President who never married.

May 13, 2009 - Terry Long

In the wake of Southern resistance to Federal Reconstruction laws, Congress crafted the 14th Amendment to guarantee all citizens equal protection of the laws.

May 13, 2009 - Michael Streich