HIST 253: The Civil War

The Civil War was the defining moment in American History. This course will cover how political, economic, and social forces caused and shaped the conflict that ended slavery. Students will study and discuss the impact of battles and leaders who were key to shaping events. Students will also examine the failure of Reconstruction to preserve Civil Rights in the years following the war. The course will use a variety of primary and secondary sources to help students craft coherent essays that demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of how the conflict impacted public opinion about the Union, slavery, and what it meant to be an American.