General Ambrose Burnside is often considered one of the worst generals in the Civil War and for good reason. When he was put in command of the Army of the Potomac, he actually developed a brilliant plan, which if successful might have allowed him to take Richmond. In December, while the armies were camping, he … Continue reading Class Notes →

In 1889, Americans reversed a 100-year-old policy of neutrality when they declared war on Spain after the February 15th sinking of the Battleship Maine. The sinking was blamed on the Spanish, even though later proved to be a boiler explosion. The Spanish American War would turn the U.S. into an imperial power as it took … Continue reading Class Notes →

When it came to progressive reform, the reformers were often of two minds. There was the moral side and the scientific side. This was seen in the push for outlawing prostitution. The moral side was prostitution was wrong and that women who became prostitutes were clearly feeble minded who needed saving. Yet a major tenant … Continue reading Class Notes →

The man who would be known as "Stonewall," cut his teeth in the Mexican American War. It was there that he first earned a name for himself. As an artillery officer, he proved his mettle during the fight for Mexico City when he moved his battery to a dangerous forward position and pounded the enemy. … Continue reading Class Notes →

Fredrick Douglas, the most famous Black abolitionist during the Civil War, said that three things were needed during the Civil War for Blacks during to have true freedom. They needed the cartridge box, the jury box, and the ballot box. He believed the only way to achieve the second two was to obtain the first … Continue reading Class Notes →

The Populists Party has a great legacy in the many political reforms they made on this nation, but it also has a great cultural legacy. Frank Baum was a strong Populists and campaigned for William Jennings Bryan. He even wrote a children’s book that was an allegory to Populists where a girl from Kansas walks … Continue reading Class Notes →

By September of 1862 General Robert E. Lee had pulled off one of the greatest feats in military history. When he took command the Union army was at the gates of Richmond ready to win the war. Within 100 days of taking command Lee had pushed McClellan’s army away from Richmond, then marched to Manassas, … Continue reading Class Notes →

As farmers struggled during the Gilded Age, they tried to take a cue from industrial workers and organize. What came out of this was the Grange movement. The Grange quickly grew to about 1.25 million members as farmers were trying to help farmers. What makes the Grange and later the Populists Party so important in … Continue reading Class Notes →

George McClellan’s first major battled against Joseph Johnston and the Army of Virginia came on May 31, 1862, at the Battle of Seven Pines. The battle was a stalemate but with two important consequences. Johnston did stop the Union's advance and saved Richmond, but he was also wounded and open the door for President Davis … Continue reading Class Notes →

The preamble to the Constitution lists the different roles of government, however, during the Gilded Age these things were very different than today. When it comes to promoting the “General Welfare” the government basically did three things. They issued tariffs to help US companies, it sold cheap land for development, and gave pensions to Union … Continue reading Class Notes →