Reflections of a High School History Teacher & Civil War Historian
The following commentary by Shelby Foote comes at the tail end of Ken Burns’s The Civil War
“We think that we are a wholly superior people – if we’d been anything like as superior as we think we are, we would not have fought that war. But since we did fight it, we have to make it the greatest war of all times. And our generals were the greatest generals of all time. It’s very American to do that.”
My recent post on the unveiling of another large Confederate flag in Tennessee generated a number of comments. It’s an emotional issue on all sides and it is unlikely that the interested parties will ever fully agree on whether it should be displayed in public as well as its meaning. But that’s the way it
75 Comments — 13813 Views — June 11, 2009
The following guest post by Michael Schaffner examines the wartime evidence for the Kirkland story. It is a thoroughly researched essay and is well worth your time. I should point out that Mr. Schaffner did not set out to write a piece debunking this particular story. Like many of us he was curious about the
38 Comments — 7817 Views — December 22, 2009
I‘ve been thinking quite a bit about the images of slave rebellions and miscegenation that shaped the world view of white Southerners throughout the antebellum period. In the case of Nat Turner’s Rebellion newspapers throughout Virginia and beyond offered extensive coverage and attempted to offer an explanation that would assuage the concerns of what white
17 Comments — 7363 Views — June 26, 2009
[Hat-Tip to Steve West] How would you like to attend a reenactment of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. On March 7 the Sovereign Majestic Theater in Pottsville, Pennsylvania will be transformed into Ford’s Theater. Booth will be played by Charles Sacavage, a retired Pottsville Area School District history teacher who now teaches history part-time at Alvernia
18 Comments — 6840 Views — February 25, 2009
[Hat-Tip to Lee White] Back in 2008 I commented on a graphic novel that tells the story of Patrick Cleburne’s plan to arm slaves in exchange for their freedom. I expressed a number of concerns in that post and I appreciate the author of the novel for offering his own perspective. Now it looks like that
75 Comments — 5663 Views — February 5, 2010
Update: Check out Brooks Simpson’s post on the subject. As far as I am concerned, nothing more needs to be said. Both Eric Wittenberg and Harry Smeltzer have linked to a news item that covers a recent talk given by Civil War Times editor, Dana Shoaf. Harry noted that it appears that Dana’s talk is based
20 Comments — 343 Views — April 22, 2009
[Cross-Posted at Progressive Historians] The number of books hitting the market in recognition of the 400th anniversary of Jamestown has been quite impressive. Even more impressive is the steady stream of Lincoln studies that will no doubt continue through the bicentennial celebrations of his birth in 2009. Such a trend stands in sharp contrast with
0 Comments — 73 Views — May 5, 2007
I haven’t commented in quite some time on my on-going Crater manuscript. The project is close to completion as I am trying to knock out the last chapter which covers the period from roughly 1940 to the present. By 1940 the Crater – now under supervision by the National Park Service - was being interpreted
2 Comments — 43 Views — October 23, 2006
I am presenting this talk today in front of fellow faculty, students, and invited guests. It is a chance to share my passion for Civil War history and the more specific interpretive approach that has come to shape my current research on memory and the Battle of the Crater. This lecture is sponsored by both
10 Comments — 81 Views — March 23, 2006
Kevin Wilmott’s C.S.A. This is a concise and informative overview about Kevin Wilmott’s documentary, C.S.A.: Despite the comedy, Willmott’s anger — or more accurately, perhaps, disappointment — is palpable throughout the production. He is clearly not pleased with the current state of American society as regards the legacy of slavery. C.S.A. seems to suggest that, as a
1 Comments — 90 Views — May 1, 2006
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That comment is one of the few Foote comments in the series with which I agree. American exceptionalism is a major theme of Civil War memory.
Another PC swipe at American Exceptionalism.
Kevin,
Looking at his quote, am I wrong in thinking that saying “if we'd been anything like as superior as we think we are, we would not have fought that war” as saying that it wasn't necessary to fight it even to end the scourge of slavery?
As to the claim that it was a PC swipe at American exceptionalism, for God sake the man praised Nathan Bedford Forrest on the program. Foote was not PC. How senseless.
Best
Rob
Good point. In light of his other statements in the series, maybe I gave Foote too much credit by focusing on the latter part of his statement.
Lewis Black clarifies this point (language NSFW): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mCDZMWVWuc
I agree with Foote on this one.
Thanks for the link. That was hilarious.
I thought it would be obvious that my tongue was firmly planted in my cheek when I made that comment. I momentarily forgot that there are people out there, some of them writing “history” blogs, that say such things in all seriousness.
;^)
Marc,
Allow me to apologize for failing to realize your comment was not meant to be taken seriously. After I wrote my comment, I started to wonder if that wasn't the case. Hopefully no harm, no foul!
Best
Rob
No apology necessary.
Marc
I thought it would be obvious that my tongue was firmly planted in my cheek when I made that comment. I momentarily forgot that there are people out there, some of them writing “history” blogs, that say such things in all seriousness.
;^)
Marc,
Allow me to apologize for failing to realize your comment was not meant to be taken seriously. After I wrote my comment, I started to wonder if that wasn't the case. Hopefully no harm, no foul!
Best
Rob
No apology necessary.
Marc