The American Civil War

On November 19, 1863, during his Gettysburg Address, President Abraham Lincoln declared that "these dead shall not have died in vain--that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom." The phrase "new birth of freedom" raises the question of what exactly this new freedom entails: Freedom from what? Freedom from whom?

The American Civil War was a violent clash of opposing views on the issues of slavery and politics in the United States. The conflict lasted over four years, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people due to battles, diseases, and the aftermath of the war. Most historical accounts focus on the North vs. South, white versus Black narrative. However, the story runs much deeper, revealing the immense power of the U.S. government during and after the Civil War. The conflict was not just about slavery or states' rights; it was about the very soul of the nation, determining who could or could not belong.

This course will examine the history of the Civil War in various ways. We will explore the war's economic, political, racial, and gendered aspects in traditional narratives. Additionally, we will explore how the Civil War brought about new waves of state development that helped the U.S. defeat the treacherous rebels and expand the nation's foothold further west. We will dive into the stories that are often overlooked in traditional military history, such as those of women, children, Indigenous people, African Americans, and others who challenge Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and this new vision of freedom in all of the United States.