Category: Civil War

  • CW at 160: Slavery in the US

    The legacy of slavery in the United States spans over 250 years and fundamentally shaped our nation’s development. From 1619 to 1865, millions of Africans and African Americans were enslaved, their labor building much of the economic foundation of colonial America and the early republic. Understanding this history means recognizing both the profound injustices endured…

  • The Educator Who Rose from Civil War Ashes: How Mary McLeod Bethune Built an Educational Empire from Slavery’s Ruins

    When most Americans think of Civil War heroes, they envision generals like Grant and Sherman, or politicians like Lincoln and Douglas. But the war’s most profound victory may have belonged to a girl born into slavery who would transform American education forever. The Forgotten Dimension of Civil War Victory The Civil War ended slavery, but…

  • The Hypothetical 1937 American Civil War: From Gaming Scenario to Educational Tool

    A map I found online shows an intriguing “what if” scenario in American alternate history: a hypothetical Second American Civil War in 1937 during the Great Depression. While this never happened, it has captured the interest of historians, game designers, and educators examining the social and political tensions of that time. I am fascinated by…

  • ReBlog CW160: Memorial Day

    This is one of several articles in my brief history series about the US Civil War and its 160 anniversary. Originally published Memorial Day 2018. Updated May 2023. In 1970, Memorial Day became a federal holiday on the last Monday in May and now most people are not even sure what the holiday is about…

  • Cinco De Mayo: Not Mexican Independence Day

    Learn about what Cinco De Mayo means to US and North American history by checking out my blog and resources. (link)

  • CW160: Secession and Timing

    The actions of Virginia following Fort Sumter escalated tensions, influenced the Civil War’s course, and shaped the nation’s future. Virginia’s secession had a significant impact.