Unit 1 - WE THE PEOPLE

The Civil War on the Web is incredible - more sites than any other topic, it seems, and new ones pop up every day. Here are some of the best that I have found:

The Civil War from PBS - A companion site to the recently remastered documentary by Ken Burns - usually referred to as the best documentary film of all time. This series increased public interest in the Civil War when it first aired.

The Civil War - "It was the greatest war in American history. 3 million fought - 600,000 died. It was the only war fought on American soil by Americans, and for that reason we have always been fascinated with The Civil War. Hundreds of books, movies and documentaries have (and are) being created about this war. With the advent of the internet, we now have yet another tool to study every single event in this great period of American history."

The United States Civil War Center - Probably the best of the best, this site from Louisiana State University contains an amazing amount of link and is searchable. I use this site more than the others listed.

The Civil War Presentation Trust - "America's largest non-profit organization devoted to the preservation of our nation's endangered Civil War battlefield lands. The Trust also promotes educational programs and heritage tourism initiatives to inform the public about the war and the fundamental conflicts that sparked it."

Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System - The CWSS is a comprehensive research tool for searching the records of the soldiers and sailors that fought in the Civil War. It is a computerized database containing very basic facts about servicemen who served on both sides during the Civil War.

Civil War Interactive - The Daily Newspaper of the Civil War - "It is our goal to bring you news important to the Civil War enthusiast every day, Monday - Friday, as it happens. In addition, Trivia, This Day, and a new Civil War recipe are updated every weekday. "

The Civil War Home Page - A compendium of Civil War information and links, with subtopics ranging from photos to people, to unit information.

American Experience | The Time of the Lincolns - A companion to the PBS documentary on Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln. The video is described by PBS in the following manner: "He was a dirt farmer's son; she was the daughter of wealthy Southern aristocrats. He was the Great Emancipator; she was the daughter of slave-owners. Together they ascended to the pinnacle of power at the most difficult time in the nation's history."

John Brown's Holy War - A companion to the PBS documentary on the legendary abolitionist. "Murderer, martyr, hero -- his violent crusade would spark the Civil War."

Ulysses S. Grant - A companion to the PBS documentary on the Union general. "The dramatic story of one of America's most paradoxical leaders. The greatest hero of the Civil War, Grant was an ineffective president whose two terms in office were rocked by racial conflict and corruption scandals." There is a cool interactive simulation called "You Be the General" - check it out!

Civil War Women - Internet Sources - From Duke University, this site conatains links to primary sources on the Internet that are directly related to women and the Civil War.

Civil War Maps Collection - The Civil War Map collection of the Geography and Map Division consists of reconnaissance, sketch, coastal, and theater-of-war maps which depict troop activities and fortifications during the Civil War.

The Selected Civil War Photographs Collection from the Library of Congress contains 1,118 photographs. Most of the images were made under the supervision of Mathew B. Brady, and include scenes of military personnel, preparations for battle, and battle after-effects. The collection also includes portraits of both Confederate and Union officers, and a selection of enlisted men.

John Brown's Holy War - Martyr, madman, murderer, hero: John Brown remains one of history's most controversial and misunderstood figures. In the 1850s, he and his ragtag guerrilla group embarked on a righteous crusade against slavery that was based on religious faith -- yet carried out with shocking violence. His execution set off a chain of events that led to the Civil War.