The Civil War on the Eve of the Civil Rights Movement
The following Civil War documentary was produced by Encyclopedia Britannica Films and hosted by Columbia University Professor, Henry Steele Commager in 1954. There is a striking and, perhaps surprising, emancipationist theme in this documentary. Click here for Part 2.
I particularly like the two quotes back to back – the Southern Fire eater who declares, passionately, that the Nation was founded allowing each state to decide about slavery and Lincoln’s house divided quote read in an even dispassionate tone. The first one sounds almost maniacal and the Lincoln quote so calmly rational. What a device!