THE ORIGINS OF THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THE WAY A SOCIETY REMEMBERS A WAR?

The historian's interpretation of the causes of war has direct consequences for the way it is remembered and popularly understood. The approaching 150th anniversary of the American Civil War offers an appropriate opportunity to review the historiographical debate over its causes, and review aga...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inRUSI Journal Vol. 154; no. 6; pp. 88 - 94
Main Author Holden Reid, Brian
Format Journal Article Trade Publication Article
LanguageEnglish
Published London Taylor & Francis Group 01.12.2009
Royal United Services Institute for Defence Studies
Subjects
Abolition of slavery
American Civil War
Anniversaries
Emancipation of slaves
Morality
United States > US
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Summary:The historian's interpretation of the causes of war has direct consequences for the way it is remembered and popularly understood. The approaching 150th anniversary of the American Civil War offers an appropriate opportunity to review the historiographical debate over its causes, and review again the role of morality in this definitive conflict. Brian Holden Reid explores the influence of the slavery question in the lead-up to war, and assesses myth-making in its commemoration.
ISSN:0307-1847
1744-0378
DOI:10.1080/03071840903533005