Why the Civil War Came

by Gabor S. Boritt

Book Overview

In the early morning of April 12, 1861, Captain George S. James ordered the bombardment of Fort Sumter, beginning a war that would last four horrific years and claim a staggering number of lives. Since that fateful day, the debate over the causes of the American Civil War has never ceased. What events were instrumental in bringing it about? How did individuals and institutions function? What did Northerners and Southerners believe in the decades of...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0195113764
• ISBN13: 9780195113761
• Release Date: May 1997
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.66 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.4" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Somehow We'd Forgotten

In the face of recent debates over the Confederate flag flying over South Carolina's capital, a lot has been said regarding the author's subject. Some contend that the war was over state's rights and others contend it was over the issue of slavery. It has even been suggested by many sources that Lincoln came to oppose slavery late. I bought this book hoping to read an author who both knew history and could examine the facts impartially. I clearly found both. The editor explores pre-Civil War history through the voices of the main figures and groups. In the process I discovered that both states rights and anti-slavery contentions are correct. However, these two are so closely tied that it hardly matters, as you will discover through the eyes of the players. Please read this book. This book should be required reading in every high school history class in America. I found the book to be the best slice of easy reading history I've ever read, and highly applicable to related debates of the 21st century. Incidentally, if you are interested in the unique origins of the Republican party, the formation of our two parties, the demise of early parties, the early black leaders, the early womens' movements or even early trends in women's literature, this is an amazing read regarding those topics alone. Can't put it down, highligher in hand stuff.