The Civil War

Long after Lincoln was nominated, politicians in his own party still hoped to reconvene.

Preview The Civil War, which was restored and remastered in high-definition in 2015. The film was rebroadcast that year to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the series’ initial broadcast in September 1990.

Ken Burns shares how his interest in the Civil War came about after noticing it was the central event in American History.

In 1860 Abraham Lincoln was elected President, and the South was horrified. Seven Southern states seceded in the time between Lincoln's election and inauguration. The Confederacy inaugurated Mississippi senator Jefferson Davis as President. Introduction to Mary Chesnut, wife of a prominent Southern planter and diarist.

By mid-century, the country was deeply divided. Southerners feared the North might forbid slavery. Northerners feared slavery might move west. As each new state was added to the union, it threatened to upset the delicate equilibrium of power.

Lincoln issues the first federal draft call, but for $300, men can hire substitutes and most of the wealthy elite do so. Resistance to the draft causes riots throughout the North. Lincoln authorizes the first African-American troops. The 54th Massachusetts regiment, under Robert Gould Shaw, attacks Fort Wagner, South Carolina.

In late 1864, Sherman decides to march his army from Atlanta to Savannah, living off the land, and destroying everything along the way that could aid the Confederate army. On the march, Sherman's army causes $100 million of damage "the South would never forget." John Bell Hood moves his forces into Tennessee, and at the Battle of Franklin clashes with Union troops under General George Thomas.

April 7, 1865 - Grant writes to Lee. April 9, 1865. Lee sends word that he will surrender. Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant meet at Appomattox to work out the terms of the surrender. The formal surrender comes three days later. In Washington, Lincoln quietly rejoices. A few blocks away, John Wilkes Booth plots.

General George McClellan takes command of the Union army with an elaborate plan to destroy the Confederacy, but does nothing. U.S. Grant is assigned to desk duty; William T. Sherman resigns, close to suicide.

At Cold Harbor, Virginia, 7,000 Americans fell in 20 minutes.

A week before the battle of Bull Run, Sullivan Ballou wrote a letter to his wife.

English and Social Studies teacher Eden McCauslin discusses how she uses The Civil War series when teaching her students at Woodrow Wilson High School in Washington, D.C.

The 13th Amendment formally abolished slavery.

Accounts from Grant, Lee, Sherman, and others are presented.

On July 3, 1863 in Gettysburg, PA the Union lured the Confederate troops out into the open field. Pickett charged and the tide of the war changed in the Union's favor.

Four million slaves were freed yet it would take another century for African Americans to win 'freedom.' History is not 'was' but 'is.' Until we treat each other as equals the Civil War will never be over.