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Upcoming Sessions in May:
May 9, 16, 23
THE CRUCIBLE - HOW THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES
CHANGED AMERICA
The
American Civil War has more books dedicated to it than any other event
in American History. Lincoln is the most written about President and
held in the highest regard of all American Presidents.
The focus
is appropriate. No event changed the United States as deeply as this
war. Beyond the deaths that reached all members of society; beyond the
suffering that stretched to all states and territories; beyond the cost
in money and blood; the American Civil War changed everything that came
after it. Even the language changed – we would now say ‘The United
States’ as refereeing to a singular entity. Soon no one would say ‘The
United States are” – the way it would have been said before the war.
Soon it would be common to hear “The United States is” – making it a
name for the country, not the name of a collection of independent
countries. As schools would soon teach, in class and in the Pledge of
Allegiance would reinforce, “The United States is one nation.”
If only
it were that simple in changing attitudes. This series of classes will
look at three phases of changes brought on by the Civil War: The
Political, Professional, and Personal Changes
Part
I: The Political – the Amendments, the Laws, and the
Practices of Politics -- May 9 @ noon
(Zoom @ 6:30 PM)
The Civil
War amendments – 13th, 14th, and 15th,
changed the relationship of the Federal Government and the States. Easy
to say that – do you know how, or what those changes were? They all cast
a long shadow into today – and many still decry that. Which takes guts,
considering these amendments were dedicated to put an end to slavery.
Yes, they intended to change things. They had to. The Civil War was the
result of not responding to the needed changes.
But did
the changes made have the intended impact? How did the politicians,
including the Presidents, and the Courts respond? This session will look
at how and why the reach of the Federal Government increased -and where
this led.
Part
II: The Business Side: How the War Changed American
Business -- May 16 @ noon
(Zoom @ 6:30 PM)
All wars
change businesses. But from the middle of the American Civil War on,
this war accelerated major changes in American business practices The
most important was the massive change from independent businessmen to
massive business factories that could produce the supplies and armaments
needed by the huge Union army. But these megalithic businesses would be
more powerful than local and state governments. In this session, we will
see many examples of the War’s impact on the workforce, and the changes
it will bring to society – good and bad.
Part
III: The Personal Side: How the Events of the Civil War Changed Us -- May 23
@ noon
(Zoom @ 6:30 PM)
From
funerals to financial issues, homesteads and home life, pastimes to
personal freedoms - the War made a difference in American life. We will
see examples of these changes occurring at the grassroots stage and
continue to the turn of the century and beyond. Yet, what about the
changes in the South? These may be the most important, and the most far
reaching of all the changes. What was the response to a new population
of Freedmen? We will look at these, and the other unintended
consequences of the Civil War on America in this session. The answers
will surprise many.
Cargill Auditorium
Western Iowa Tech Community
College
4511 Stone Park
Sioux City Iowa.
Presented as part of the Lifelong
Learning Institute, open to all.
“His ratings were the highest for our entire season of 12 workshops, and
far eclipsed those for the previous season. He created a fantastic
class, and people left feeling empowered.” -- Dr. Lynn Barteck, Tri
State Graduate Center
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