Civil War America: A Nation at War

The American Civil War was the most devastating conflict in United States history. It pitted brother against brother, split the nation in two, and left a legacy of pain and division that still resonates today.

Civil War (America at War)

by G. Nyla Phillips

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	13559 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	266 pages
Paperback	:	50 pages
Item Weight	:	6.7 ounces
Dimensions	:	8.5 x 0.12 x 11 inches

FREE

In Civil War America: A Nation at War, acclaimed historian James McPherson delivers a sweeping narrative of this epic struggle. McPherson traces the war's origins to the deep-seated tensions between the North and South over slavery, economics, and political power. He then follows the course of the war year by year, describing the major battles, the key personalities, and the impact of the war on the home front.

McPherson's account is both authoritative and accessible. He draws on the latest scholarship to provide a clear and concise overview of the war, while also bringing to life the human drama of the conflict. Civil War America: A Nation at War is an essential read for anyone who wants to understand this pivotal event in American history.

The Causes of the Civil War

The American Civil War was caused by a complex set of factors, including slavery, economics, and political power. Slavery was the most divisive issue of all. In the North, slavery was seen as a moral abomination. In the South, it was seen as a necessary institution that supported the economy and way of life.

Economics also played a role in the outbreak of the war. The North was industrialized, while the South was agricultural. The North wanted to protect its industries with tariffs, while the South wanted to trade freely with other countries.

Political power was another major issue. The North was more populous than the South, and it therefore had more representation in Congress. The South feared that the North would use its power to abolish slavery and undermine its way of life.

The Outbreak of the War

The American Civil War began on April 12, 1861, when Confederate forces attacked Fort Sumter in South Carolina. The attack came after months of tension between the North and South, and it marked the beginning of a bloody conflict that would last for four years.

The Union and Confederacy quickly mobilized their armies, and the war soon spread to other parts of the country. The first major battle of the war was the Battle of Bull Run, which took place in July 1861. The Union army was defeated, and the Confederacy won a major victory.

The Course of the War

The American Civil War was a long and bloody conflict. The two sides fought a series of major battles, including the Battle of Antietam, the Battle of Gettysburg, and the Battle of Vicksburg. The Union army eventually prevailed, and the Confederacy surrendered in 1865.

The war had a profound impact on the United States. It led to the end of slavery, the reunification of the country, and the establishment of a new national identity.

The Legacy of the Civil War

The American Civil War is still a controversial topic today. Some people see it as a necessary conflict that ended slavery and preserved the Union. Others see it as a tragedy that divided the country and led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people.

Regardless of one's perspective, the American Civil War was a pivotal event in American history. It shaped the course of the nation's development, and its legacy continues to be debated today.

About the Author

James McPherson is an acclaimed historian who has written extensively about the American Civil War. His books include Battle Cry of Freedom, which won the Pulitzer Prize for History in 1989, and For Cause and Comrades, which won the Lincoln Prize in 2002.

McPherson is a professor of history at Princeton University. He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the Society of American Historians.

Civil War (America at War)

by G. Nyla Phillips

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	13559 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	266 pages
Paperback	:	50 pages
Item Weight	:	6.7 ounces
Dimensions	:	8.5 x 0.12 x 11 inches

FREE