Episode 072: Ari Kelman, The American Civil War

by Liz CovartMarch 8, 2016

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The American Civil War took place over 150 years ago.

The war claimed over 600,000 American lives and its legacy affects the way present-day Americans view civil rights and race relations.

The Civil War stands as an important, watershed event in United States history, which is why, in today’s episode, we will discuss the event with Civil War historian Ari Kelman , author of Battle Lines: A Graphic History of the Civil War and the McCabe Greer Professor of History at the Pennsylvania State University.

About the Show

Ben Franklin’s World is a podcast about early American history.

It is a show for people who love history and for those who want to know more about the historical people and events that have impacted and shaped our present-day world.

Each episode features a conversation with a historian who helps us shed light on important people and events in early American history.

Episode Summary

In this episode, we explore the American Civil War in an effort to better understand it. Our guide for this exploration is Ari Kelman, the McCabe Greer Professor of History at the Pennsylvania State University and author of Battle Lines: A Graphic History of the Civil War.

During our investigation, Ari reveals how writing a graphic history differs from writing a traditional history book; Details about the day-to-day lives of Union and Confederate soldiers and civilians; And, what life was like in western regions and border states.

What You’ll Discover

How writing a graphic history differs from writing a traditional history book
When and how the Civil War began
The Battle of First Bull Run or First Manassas
Day-to-day life for Union and Confederate soldiers
Wartime experiences of African American soldiers
Leadership of the Union Army
Ulysses S. Grant and his command
George B. McClellan and his leadership
Civilian life in the Confederacy during the Civil War
Civilian life in Union states during the Civil War
Life in the Border States of Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, and Missouri
The role California and Californians played in the Civil War
Carpetbaggers and Copperheads

Battle Lines Page 32 — Graphic of American Civil War Soldiers. Kelman & Fetter-Vorm, *Battle Lines: A Graphic History of the Civil War*, page 32

Links to People, Places, and Publications

Ari Kelman
Ari’s website
Ari’s Facebook Page
Ari Kelman, A River and Its City: The Nature of Landscape in New Orleans
Ari Kelman, A Misplaced Massacre: Struggling over the Memory of Sand Creek
Jonathan Fetter-Vorm
Jonathan Fetter-Vorm, Trinity: A Graphic History of the First Atomic Bomb
James McPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era

Time Warp Question

In your opinion, what might have happened if Ulysses S. Grant had not been in charge of the Union’s western campaign in the summer of 1863? Would the Union have captured Vicksburg? Would Sherman have marched to Atlanta? How would the course of the Civil War have been different?