Final Stages: Final Days of the Civil War
Both commanders attempt to break the trench deadlock at Petersburg, Lee with Early's raid on Washington and Grant by digging a tunnel under Confederate fortifications and planting explosives. The Battle of the Crater whi..
Final Stages: Major Battles of 1863: Chattanooga
After occupying Chattanooga, Union forces under William Rosecrans pursue retreating Confederate troops into a trap at Chickamauga and suffer a major loss. As Union troops retreat back to Chattanooga, General Bragg follow..
Final Stages: Major Battles of 1863: Vicksburg and Gettysburg
1863 is a pivotal year in determining the outcome of the war between the states. Three significant battles prove to be turning points in the conflict. The first takes place at Vicksburg along the Mississippi River; the s..
Final Stages: Presidential Election of 1864, The
1864 is a presidential election year, a dangerous and depressing time for the embattled president whose nomination by his party and re-election by the American people are in question. With George McClellan as his Democra..
Franklin D. Roosevelt and Immigration
Professor of history Gary Gerstle talks about the political ascent of Franklin D. Roosevelt at the time of the Great Depression. Professor Gerstle explains that immigrants in New York City were a significant part of Roos..
Franz Boas Takes On The Eugenicists
Professor of American studies and history Matthew Frye Jacobson talks about Jewish scholar and Columbia anthropology professor Franz Boas. Professor Jacobson explains that Boas was, "...one of the first scholars who real..
From Days Before Time: Early Europeans Look Westward
In the early 15th century, Europe is a patchwork of small kingdoms and principalities in competition with powerful Moslem nations. Enterprising mariners seeking to establish trade with Asia look for routes that will avoi..
From Days Before Time: Early Inhabitants of North America
Long before Europeans venture out into the waters of the Atlantic to see what lay beyond the boundaries of their continent; tribes of Native Americans inhabit the land now known as North America. At first the animals and..
From Days Before Time: Impact of Spanish Colonization on Native Populations
Two centuries of conflict leave its mark on both Native American and Spanish cultures. The Indian population is ravaged not only by warfare and enslavement, but also by diseases introduced with the arrival of Europeans. ..
From Days Before Time: Religious Motivation for Spanish Colonization
The Franciscan missionaries are appalled by the violence of the conquistadors and lobby the king to reduce their power. The Indian population sees an advantage to accepting the Franciscans as protectors, but realize that..