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The Civil War
The Call to Arms, 1861
In the spring of 1861, whole towns enlisted. Union volunteers poured into Washington while Southerners crowded recruiting stations so fast a third were sent home. Grant left his father's harness shop, Sherman rejoined the army, and Robert E. Lee turned down command of the Union Army to side with Virginia. Both sides expected a 90-day war. From Ken Burns's The Civil War.
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2:14:38
Richmond falls to Grant's army, Lee surrenders, Lincoln is assassinated, and the war ends.
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2:18:35
While causalities mount, Lincoln’s re-election chances dim.
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2:34:49
Follow the Battle of Gettysburg, draft riots, and the first African-American troops.
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2:21:25
Lincoln’s war to preserve the Union transforms to a war to emancipate the slaves.
1:40:58
Find out what caused the war, examining slavery and questions of union and states’ rights.