What Made America? Victory in the Civil War
American History Hit
History Hit
4.3 • 1.8K Ratings
🗓️ 22 June 2026
⏱️ 37 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Was the Civil War a 'Second American Revolution', or was it a continued evolution of the nation set out by the Founding Fathers? How did Lincoln see it?
We've asked some of our favourite historians for their most important moment in these 250 years of the United States' History.
In this episode, Aaron Sheehan-Dean returns to discuss how winning the Civil War fits into the growth of American identity.
Aaron is the Fred C. Freyer Professor of Southern Studies at Louisiana State University. He is author of several books, including ‘Reckoning With Rebellion: War and Sovereignty in the Nineteenth Century’.
Edited by Tim Arstall. Produced by Sophie Gee. Senior Producer was Freddy Chick.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Want to explore even more history? Sign up to History Hit, where you will discover history from around the world. |
| 0:07.1 | From the American Revolution to prehistoric Scotland, there is plenty to discover. With your subscription, you'll unlock hundreds of hours of exclusive documentaries, with a brand new release every week, exploring everything from the ancient |
| 0:22.4 | world to World War II. Just visit history hit.com slash subscribe to bring the past alive. |
| 0:34.1 | In 1861, as mortar rounds explode over Fort Sumter, walls dent and crumble. |
| 0:40.3 | The very future of the United States seems to crumble too. |
| 0:44.3 | This country, a land of independence and equality, is set down by the Founding Fathers, is at risk. |
| 0:50.3 | And the direction that this war, the Civil War, would take is integral to who we are today. |
| 1:09.6 | Greetings one and all. Well, you've heard it by now unless you live under Iraq. |
| 1:13.3 | This year marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, and by extension, of course, the birth of the United States itself. |
| 1:21.4 | As July 4th looms here at American History Hit were marking the occasion by circling back to some of our favorite |
| 1:27.6 | and most trusted guests, celebrated voices in the study of American history, and asking them |
| 1:32.7 | a simple question, what inspires the most about America at 250? What compelling event, person, |
| 1:38.7 | movement, idea, best captures the American story, the spirit of 250 for them, and why. |
| 1:45.4 | With me today, we have Professor Aaron Sheean Dean. |
| 1:48.2 | He is a leading scholar and author on Civil War History from Louisiana State University. |
| 1:53.5 | Hello, Aaron. |
| 1:54.0 | Welcome back. |
| 1:54.6 | Looking forward to July 4th this year. |
| 1:56.3 | Thanks, Don. |
| 1:56.8 | It's a pleasure to be here. |
| 1:57.8 | And yes, this should be a very colorful and fun year. |
| 2:01.6 | Yeah, for sure. Thank you for all the episodes you've done this past year and for indulging our question today. So let's get right to it. |
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