Dates - 1846-1877

Why It Matters: The Civil War represented the greatest threat to the surivival of the United States of America in our history. Why we fought, how the Union won, and how we rebuilt the nation remain enduring matters of interest and debate. 

"Before the Civil War, people used to say The United States of America ARE... after the war they say the United States of America IS" - Shelby Foote