The Civil War was a bloody, four-year conflict that led to more American deaths than any other war. It was a struggle that is still debated over, celebrated, and re-enacted today. It created great heroes, even greater tragedies, stories that reach to us from across time and events that would change the course of history. After the 1860 presidential election, many southern states opposed the new administration on many issues, including slavery, and felt that it undermined state's rights. Before the new president, Abraham Lincoln, could take office in March of 1861, seven southern states voted to secede from the Union. Four more followed. Together they formed the Confederate States of America.

When the Confederacy demanded the surrender of Fort Sumter from federal troops in South Carolina, Lincoln refused. On April 12, 1861, the Confederates heavily bombarded the fort until it was forced to surrender. Soon after, Lincoln called for volunteers. People from all states reacted and joined sides, beginning the bloodshed that would last for years. Under the leadership of their new president, Jefferson Davis, the Confederacy was determined to fight for their independence from the United States.

The war was primarily fought in the South, although northern states saw action as well. As the bloody struggle dragged on, the South's disadvantages became evident; mainly that they did not have factories to produce the supplies they needed, and they were less populated and therefore had fewer soldiers. Even so, it was difficult for the Union army to crush the rebels in their own homeland.

After Union General Grant's siege of Vicksburg, and General William Tecumseh Sherman made his famous "March to the Sea," they split and crippled the already-dying Confederacy. After four long, bloody years, Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses Grant on April 9, 1865.

Five days after the surrender, President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. The years that followed were harder for the South than the war itself, as the U.S. Army now occupied their cities as rulers. It was an era known as "Reconstruction." But for some, it was a time for rejoicing, because the Union victory brought freedom for many thousands of African-Americans who had been held in slavery for nearly two centuries.

Historical Truth 101 invites you to hear interviews with expert researchers such as Leeland Free, Tim Kent, and Lee Freeman, finding out rare details from the pre-war era, the war itself, and through Reconstruction. Walk in the Confederate capital in Richmond, the fields of famous battles, and the forts where heroes made their last stand. Please join us as we step back in time and learn what has captured the imagination of generations.

                                                                           

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