Secrets of the Civil War
In our 12-part series, Secrets of the Civil War, we dive into the tumultuous time in our US history full of battles, conflict, death, and destruction. But would it surprise you to know that, while the battles fought during the Civil War absolutely impacted the landscape of our country, they aren’t the full story. Even when divided, the nation grew in unexpected ways, and we’re still feeling reverberations of those advancements today. Join us to hear how the war paved the way for new ideas–some good, like the advent of ambulances, and some… not so helpful, like the Army’s camel brigade. We’ll talk about photography, spies, emancipation, and even a war within the war.
Episode 12:
The Rocky Road of Reconstruction
After four years of fighting, the Union had persevered in bringing the seceded states back into the fold. But the newly reunited country had a great deal of healing to do. Reconstruction took over a decade, and the passage of several constitutional amendments, to create new scaffolding. And even as a new century dawned, the United States was as segregated as ever. Read the show notes.
Listen on your favorite podcast platform:
Episode 11:
The Necessity of Innovation
In this series, we have covered all sorts of innovations that arose out of the conflict, from deviled ham spread and spy balloons to surgical advancements. Today we are going to continue that exploration with a wide range of new developments like photojournalism, a national currency, and the evolution of premade clothing. It’s a smorgasbord of inventions, y’all! Read the show notes.
Listen on your favorite podcast platform:
Episode 10:
Battlefield Angels and Amputations
In the middle of the 1920s, when Prohibition was at its peak, leaders and law enforcement could go one of two ways: they could crack down on Volstead Act violators… or they could look the other way. Today, we’ll meet the first two women governors in the nation’s history–and a couple of lawmen–and learn how they handled their duties during Prohibition. Read the show notes.
Listen on your favorite podcast platform:
Episode 9:
North Toward Freedom
In this episode of Secrets of the Civil War, we'll meet some of the key players in the Abolition Movement–a persuader, an agitator, and a conductor. Their ideals and actions helped foster the success of the Underground Railroad and the path to emancipation. How did so many enslaved persons seeking freedom make it through the perilous journey North? Through a meticulously organized network of safe houses and stations run by agents and conductors. Read the show notes.
Listen on your favorite podcast platform:
Episode 8:
The War Within a War
Today on Here’s Where It Gets Interesting, we’re going to touch on a war you probably didn’t know happened. During the seemingly all-consuming Civil War, there was another entirely different series of skirmishes and battles happening in America. It only lasted 6 weeks, but had devastating consequences. Read the show notes.
Listen on your favorite podcast platform:
Episode 7:
A Tale of Two Roberts
In this episode in our series, Secrets of the Civil War, we’re going to hear about two men–both named Robert and hailed as heroes, who had completely different backgrounds – until the Civil War changed the directions of their lives forever. One was a boat thief and the other was a battalion leader. Read the show notes.
Listen on your favorite podcast platform:
Episode 6:
Survival Off the Battlefields
Let’s talk about what life was like during the Civil War for people who weren’t on the battlefield. What did they get up and do every day? What did they worry about? We’ll witness the war through the eyes of five women whose stories are symbolic of the real experiences–the hopes, the sorrows, the loneliness and the joy–that countless women endured during the Civil War. Read the show notes.
Listen on your favorite podcast platform:
Episode 5:
Propaganda in Tune
During the Civil War, the Union used a whole slew of propaganda to win over Northerners: pamphlets, posters, poetry, clothing, cartoons… and music. Performed at rallies where in front of huge crowds about the cause, Civil War songs were specifically written to stir up patriotism and pride. Lyrics praised the bravery of volunteers, and had the dual purpose of encouraging more young men to enlist while boosting the morale of existing troops. Listen in, there’s no doubt you’ll recognize the tunes. Read the show notes.
Listen on your favorite podcast platform:
Episode 4:
A War Won on Food
Did you know that Hot Pockets, astronaut food, and maple bacon donuts all have their origins in the Battle Between the States? It’s true! During the Civil War, the most important thing for soldiers’ survival wasn’t ammunition or strategic plans. It was FOOD! So grab a snack and settle in. Read the show notes.
Listen on your favorite podcast platform:
Episode 3:
Intel from the Inside
Let's discuss the Union, and it might surprise you to learn that spies and spy balloons, classified documents, and racially-motivated riots aren’t just the headlines of today but were also hallmarks of the American Civil War. We often think of the North as the emancipators, the champions of freedom, but that’s not quite the whole story. Read the show notes.
Listen on your favorite podcast platform:
Episode 2:
From Camels to Confederacy
In this episode of Secrets of the Civil War, we talk about Jefferson Davis, the man who became the president of the states that tried to secede. And it may come as a surprise to you that Jefferson Davis did have some successful ideas, particularly when it came to importing desert camels into the American West. His successes may have been more surprising to his second wife, the Northern-born Varina, than to anyone else. Read the show notes.
Listen on your favorite podcast platform:
Episode 1:
The Fracturing of America
Welcome to the first episode in our series, Secrets of the Civil War. This won’t be a history of the Civil War like you’re expecting. The Union and the Confederacy, divided though they were, experienced incredible changes in medicine, technology, food science, and transportation during four years of conflict. It may surprise you to learn that it wasn’t solely an era of suffering and hardship; it was also an era of innovation and advancement, spies and social evolution. We’re going to explore it all. Read the show notes.
Listen on your favorite podcast platform:
