Segment from Civil War 150th

The Citizen Soldier

The American Backstory hosts talk with Christy Coleman, president of the American Civil War Center in Richmond, Virginia, on the ways contemporary events shape our understanding of the Civil War, before turning to the ways citizens saw it at the time. Considering the remarkable levels of volunteerism in the Civil War, they discuss the power of the “citizen soldier” ideal, and begin to explore what motivated so many individuals on both sides to join the fight.

00:00:00 / 00:00:00

Why Northerners Fought

19th Century Guy Ed Ayers and 20th Century Guy Brian Balogh interview Civil War Historian Gary Gallagher, from the University of Virginia.

00:11:14

Why Southerners Fought

The Backstory hosts interview Aaron Sheehan-Dean, historian at the University of North Florida, about the Confederate cause.

00:11:07

The Woman’s War

Historian Catherine Clinton discusses gender dynamics on the home front, and the American Backstory hosts consider ways in which the Civil War is distinct from other American conflicts.

00:06:09

Fighting for Liberation

The American Backstory hosts discuss the important moral and tactical contributions of African-American soldiers in the Union Army.

00:05:33

Fighting for Home

Historian Aaron Sheehan-Dean explains to Brian Balogh how the idea of “home” motivated Confederate soldiers, and strengthened their resolve to fight.

00:11:21

The Citizen Soldier

The American Backstory hosts talk with Christy Coleman, president of the American Civil War Center in Richmond, Virginia, on the ways contemporary events shape our understanding of the Civil War, before turning to the ways citizens saw it at the time. Considering the remarkable levels of volunteerism in the Civil War, they discuss the power of the “citizen soldier” ideal, and begin to explore what motivated so many individuals on both sides to join the fight.

00:13:00

Fighting for Union

Historian and New York Times blogger Adam Goodheart tells the story of one man’s struggle to pick which side to fight for, and his ultimate choice of the Union cause. Host Brian Balogh and Ed Ayers then talk with historian Gary Gallagher about the powerful concepts of “liberty and union” in motivating Northern soldiers – and how their meaning was understood at the time.

00:13:33