Homefronts and Battlefronts - The Social Impact of the Civil War

Explore the profound social and economic impacts of the American Civil War in this 51-minute lecture from Yale University's course on The Civil War and Reconstruction. Delve into the revolutionary shift in Civil War scholarship brought about by the Social History movement of the 1960s and 1970s, examining the experiences of common soldiers, women, and African Americans. Investigate the war's effects on both Union and Confederate home fronts, analyzing personal traumas, economic transformations, and demographic shifts. Discover how the conflict reshaped industry, commerce, and government activism in areas such as finance, agriculture, taxation, and railroad construction. Gain insights into the far-reaching consequences of emancipation and the increased federal involvement that would shape the nation's future.