In Abraham Lincoln, the Road to the Confederacy, and the Civil War , learn how growing sectional divisions over slavery and politics led southern states to secede from the Union. After Abraham Lincoln’s election in 1860, seven states left the Union before he even took office, forming the Confederate States of America with Jefferson Davis as their president. Tensions erupted on April 12, 1861, when Confederate forces attacked Fort Sumter, officially beginning the Civil War.
The article "How Lincoln's 1860 Election Sparked the Civil War" from BBC's HistoryExtra explores how Abraham Lincoln’s election as U.S. president in 1860 changed the course of American history. It explains the growing conflict over slavery, the breakdown of political parties, and how Lincoln's victory led to the secession of Southern states and the start of the Civil War.
In How the American Civil War Really Started, historian Lucy Worsley investigates what America was like before the Civil War. It began as a clash between the 19 Northern states, which had abolished slavery, and 11 Southern states, where the economy was built on slave labor. New states were emerging in the West and both Northern and Southern states feared for their own economies. This video is excerpted from BBC's American History's Biggest Fibs with Lucy Worsley, in which Worsley reveals the myths and manipulations behind American history.
In Abraham Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclamation, learn how President Abraham Lincoln issued a bold declaration during the third year of the Civil War that all enslaved people in Confederate-held territories were to be free. While limited in immediate effect, the proclamation allowed Black men to join the Union Army and became one of the greatest documents of human freedom in U.S. history.
The article "The Emancipation Proclamation: Abraham Lincoln's Declaration That Helped Bring About the End of Slavery" from BBC's HistoryExtra is about how President Lincoln's 1863 order declared freedom for enslaved people in the Confederacy. Although it didn’t free everyone at once, it shifted the Civil War’s focus to ending slavery and led to the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery throughout the United States.
The article "Abraham Lincoln: From Log Cabin to Legendary Leader" from BBC's HistoryExtra takes a look at the life, leadership, and legacy of America’s 16th president. From his humble frontier beginnings to guiding the country through a civil war and abolishing slavery, the article explores Lincoln’s personal struggles, political battles, and enduring impact on U.S. history.
In The History of the Lincoln Memorial, historian Lucy Worsley investigates how the Northern Union Forces defeated the Southern Confederates in the Civil War. She visits the Lincoln Memorial and learns that the 36 columns represent the 36 states that were in the Union after the war. This video is excerpted from BBC's American History's Biggest Fibs with Lucy Worsley, in which Worsley reveals the myths and manipulations behind American history.
Meet the Leaders Who Shaped a Nation.
They were visionaries and leaders, but they were also imperfect people shaped by their times. From bold founders and wartime decision-makers to reformers and risk-takers, these U.S. presidents guided the nation through moments of hope, conflict, and change.
In this video playlist, explore BBC clips featuring George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, and others, examining both their achievements and their shortcomings. A thoughtful playlist that encourages students to see history with nuance, question leadership, and understand that progress is often driven by complicated people making difficult choices.
In Abraham Lincoln and Freedom for Some, historian Lucy Worsley takes a look at the Emancipation Proclamation drafted by Lincoln in 1863 that promised freedom from enslavement. However, it was only promised in rebel Southern states. Evidence suggests that Lincoln's main aim was to save the Union, not to end slavery. This video is excerpted from BBC's American History's Biggest Fibs with Lucy Worsley, in which Worsley reveals the myths and manipulations behind American history.
The article "Juneteenth: The Day Freedom Reached Everyone" from BBC's HistoryExtra tells us about Juneteenth, the longest-running African-American holiday.
The article "Clara Barton: The Angel of the Battlefield Who Changed Medicine Forever" from BBC's HistoryExtra is a powerful look at Barton's lifelong devotion to helping others. From nursing wounded Civil War soldiers to founding the American Red Cross, she broke barriers in healthcare, women's rights, and disaster relief, earning her the title “Angel of the Battlefield.”
In From Emancipation to Convict Leasing, historian Lucy Worsley learns that although enslaved people were free after the Civil War, a new type of enslavement arose. If Black people were found guilty of even minor crimes, they ended in slavery of a new kind: convict leasing. Conditions were harsh and many people died. This video is excerpted from BBC's American History's Biggest Fibs with Lucy Worsley, in which Worsley reveals the myths and manipulations behind American history.
In Abraham Lincoln, the Road to the Confederacy, and the Civil War , learn how growing sectional divisions over slavery and politics led southern states to secede from the Union. After Abraham Lincoln’s election in 1860, seven states left the Union before he even took office, forming the Confederate States of America with Jefferson Davis as their president. Tensions erupted on April 12, 1861, when Confederate forces attacked Fort Sumter, officially beginning the Civil War.
The article "How Lincoln's 1860 Election Sparked the Civil War" from BBC's HistoryExtra explores how Abraham Lincoln’s election as U.S. president in 1860 changed the course of American history. It explains the growing conflict over slavery, the breakdown of political parties, and how Lincoln's victory led to the secession of Southern states and the start of the Civil War.
In How the American Civil War Really Started, historian Lucy Worsley investigates what America was like before the Civil War. It began as a clash between the 19 Northern states, which had abolished slavery, and 11 Southern states, where the economy was built on slave labor. New states were emerging in the West and both Northern and Southern states feared for their own economies. This video is excerpted from BBC's American History's Biggest Fibs with Lucy Worsley, in which Worsley reveals the myths and manipulations behind American history.
In Abraham Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclamation, learn how President Abraham Lincoln issued a bold declaration during the third year of the Civil War that all enslaved people in Confederate-held territories were to be free. While limited in immediate effect, the proclamation allowed Black men to join the Union Army and became one of the greatest documents of human freedom in U.S. history.
The article "The Emancipation Proclamation: Abraham Lincoln's Declaration That Helped Bring About the End of Slavery" from BBC's HistoryExtra is about how President Lincoln's 1863 order declared freedom for enslaved people in the Confederacy. Although it didn’t free everyone at once, it shifted the Civil War’s focus to ending slavery and led to the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery throughout the United States.
The article "Abraham Lincoln: From Log Cabin to Legendary Leader" from BBC's HistoryExtra takes a look at the life, leadership, and legacy of America’s 16th president. From his humble frontier beginnings to guiding the country through a civil war and abolishing slavery, the article explores Lincoln’s personal struggles, political battles, and enduring impact on U.S. history.
In The History of the Lincoln Memorial, historian Lucy Worsley investigates how the Northern Union Forces defeated the Southern Confederates in the Civil War. She visits the Lincoln Memorial and learns that the 36 columns represent the 36 states that were in the Union after the war. This video is excerpted from BBC's American History's Biggest Fibs with Lucy Worsley, in which Worsley reveals the myths and manipulations behind American history.
Meet the Leaders Who Shaped a Nation.
They were visionaries and leaders, but they were also imperfect people shaped by their times. From bold founders and wartime decision-makers to reformers and risk-takers, these U.S. presidents guided the nation through moments of hope, conflict, and change.
In this video playlist, explore BBC clips featuring George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, and others, examining both their achievements and their shortcomings. A thoughtful playlist that encourages students to see history with nuance, question leadership, and understand that progress is often driven by complicated people making difficult choices.
In Abraham Lincoln and Freedom for Some, historian Lucy Worsley takes a look at the Emancipation Proclamation drafted by Lincoln in 1863 that promised freedom from enslavement. However, it was only promised in rebel Southern states. Evidence suggests that Lincoln's main aim was to save the Union, not to end slavery. This video is excerpted from BBC's American History's Biggest Fibs with Lucy Worsley, in which Worsley reveals the myths and manipulations behind American history.
The article "Juneteenth: The Day Freedom Reached Everyone" from BBC's HistoryExtra tells us about Juneteenth, the longest-running African-American holiday.
The article "Clara Barton: The Angel of the Battlefield Who Changed Medicine Forever" from BBC's HistoryExtra is a powerful look at Barton's lifelong devotion to helping others. From nursing wounded Civil War soldiers to founding the American Red Cross, she broke barriers in healthcare, women's rights, and disaster relief, earning her the title “Angel of the Battlefield.”
In From Emancipation to Convict Leasing, historian Lucy Worsley learns that although enslaved people were free after the Civil War, a new type of enslavement arose. If Black people were found guilty of even minor crimes, they ended in slavery of a new kind: convict leasing. Conditions were harsh and many people died. This video is excerpted from BBC's American History's Biggest Fibs with Lucy Worsley, in which Worsley reveals the myths and manipulations behind American history.