Joseph T. Glatthaar of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill describes President Abraham Lincoln's military policy, focusing on his emphasis on saving the Union and the place of race issues in this philosophy.
Paul D. Escott of Wake Forest University looks at Confederate expectations going into the Civil War that the war would be swift and decisive, and contrasts them with Jefferson Davis's expectations. He also outlines the challenges the South and Davis faced during the war, and attempts to assess Davis's performance as a leader.
William C. Harris of North Carolina State University describes the qualities Lincoln possessed that directed his leadership decisions during the Civil War.
Confederate Gen. Joseph E. Johnston saw an opportunity to at least slow down Gen. William T. Sherman's 60,000-man Union army as it marched through North Carolina in March 1865. The Confederates set a trap for Sherman near the tiny hamlet of Bentonville; but the resulting battle, March 19-21, 1865, turned out to be a decisive Union victory. This audio tour covers the turning points of the battle, the largest fought in North Carolina.
Three speakers present in this second half of an all-day symposium commemorating the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln. Lucas E. Morel presents "Lincoln on Race, Equality and the Spirit of '76"; Lincoln's lifelong interest in language is the subject of a talk given by Douglas L. Wilson; and Elizabeth D. Leonard delivers the final presentation of the symposium, "Ally on the Team of Rivals: Lincoln and His Point Man for Military Justice," in which she discusses Judge Advocate General Joseph Holt, the president's chief of the War Department's Bureau of Military Justice.
The first half of this symposium may be found here.
Three speakers present in this first half of an all-day symposium commemorating the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln. Commemorating the 148th anniversary of Lincoln's first inaugural address, Harold Holzer presents a talk titled "Lincoln Comes to Washington: The Journey of a President-Elect"; James M. McPherson speaks on "Abraham Lincoln as Commander in Chief"; and William Lee Miller discusses Lincoln's struggle to transform ideals and bring about a better understanding of freedom.
The second half of the symposium may be found here.
Eighth-grade American history educator Eric Langhorst introduces the online Lincoln's Crossroads Game from the National Constitution Center, an interactive way for students to learn about the issues of Lincoln's time and then make their own choices. They will compare their decision-making skills with Lincoln on 13 issues and learn how many times they make the same choice.
Video and audio options are available.
Eighth-grade American history educator Eric Langhorst introduces an online interactive version of the Gettysburg Address offered by the Smithsonian, suggesting it for use in the classroom.
Dr. Edward Ayers explores the complex legacy of the Civil War and Reconstruction as it resonates within American culture, domestic and foreign policy, and citizenship.
The fighting in the Wheatfield at Gettysburg on July 2, 1863, was some of the most intense and confusing of the war. Gettysburg park historian Eric Campbell leads listeners through the bloody back-and-forth action.