This course will be a study of the U.S. Civil War. Students will learn about the causes of the war, the sectional differences between the regions of the U.S. that contribute to the war and the political developments leading to the war. Students will also study the prosecution of the war and the ramifications of the war on the future U.S. This will be accomplished through a variety of mediums including lectures, films, photographs, and outside readings.
In this course, the students will:
-examine American at mid-century, with emphasis on the areas of politics, economics and railroads.
-describe the role of the Mexican War on Manifest Destiny, slavery and politics.
-understand the “Period of Compromise” between 1820-1850 and the attempts to avoid war.
-examine the period following 1850, especially the concept of Popular Sovereignty.
-describe the election of 1860 and its role in the final act of secession.
-explain the political scene in both the North and South during the war and its effects.
-identify the leading military figures, both North and South, and their strategies to carry out the war.
-analyze the different battles in all theaters and their role in the outcome of the war.
-examine the home fronts and the role they played during the war.
-describe the conditions of prisons on both sides and their effects on morale.
-examine the final surrenders of the Confederate Armies and their role in the "healing" process.
-analyze the assassination of Lincoln and its effects on Reconstruction.
-describe the final Reconstruction program as outlined by the Radical Republicans.
-analyze the role of the Civil War on modern day society and the transformation of the U.S. it caused.
Any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.