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This course, part of the Gilder Lehrman Institute’s History Essentials series, focuses on the American Civil War, from the breakdown of the Union in the 1850s through the end of the war in 1865, all while examining how we remember the conflict today. Professor Waugh discusses why it is essential to study the Civil War and introduces major themes of the era, including abolition, leadership, conflict, and memory traditions. Those who take the course will gain insight into the political, social, and military issues that contributed to the war as well as learn perspectives of the common soldier, men and women on the home front, and enslaved people. This course examines significant events and major players of the Civil War by looking inward at the power dynamics of the era.

Led by Joan Waugh, Associate Professor, University of California at Los Angeles

This online course is aligned with the needs of elementary school teachers. For more resources for elementary school teachers, visit our Elementary Curriculum I: Colonial America to Reconstruction to explore a timeline, lesson plans, student activity sheets, and interactive maps.

The History Essentials series is free to all Affiliate School teachers and Affiliate Library staff.