Wartime Reconstruction - Imagining the Aftermath and a Second American Republic

Explore a pivotal lecture from Yale University's "The Civil War and Reconstruction" course, focusing on the crucial turning point of Abraham Lincoln's 1864 re-election and its impact on the war's conclusion. Delve into the factors that secured Lincoln's victory, including timely Union triumphs in Atlanta and Mobile. Follow the final stages of the conflict, culminating in Lee's surrender to Grant at Appomattox Courthouse. Examine the immediate aftermath of the war, discussing constitutional changes and early ideas about Reconstruction. Gain insights into the scale of death through Walt Whitman's perspective and contemplate the open questions surrounding the South's future in April 1865. This 49-minute lecture provides a comprehensive overview of the war's end and the beginnings of a new era in American history.