Causes of the American Civil War: Slavery, States' Rights, and the Irrepressible Conflict - Class 13

Explore a thought-provoking lecture from Yale University's DeVane Lecture Series examining the complex causes of the American Civil War, focusing on the debate between slavery and states' rights as primary factors. Delve into Professor David Blight's analysis of how racial slavery shaped American institutions and continues to influence modern society. Learn about the pivotal moments in American history when democratic principles, human rights, and constitutional governance faced critical challenges. Examine the specific connections between slavery and Yale University, while understanding the lasting political, constitutional, racial, and economic legacies of the Civil War period. Part of a broader series investigating whether historical patterns of inequality and institutional challenges could resurface in contemporary America, this hour-long lecture provides crucial insights into one of the most transformative periods in American history.