The surrender of Fort Sumter immediately throws the nation into a crucible of decision-making and a desperate search for leadership, testing Thomas Carlyle’s “Great Man Theory.” Was the bombardment in Charleston Harbor a symbolic gesture or a spark leading to something far worse? Will leaders remain loyal to the Union or align with their home states? How far will President Lincoln go to secure the capital, risking accusations of dictatorship and facing a direct challenge from the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court? And as armies begin to converge, will the North and South each find a commander that can lead them to a quick and bloodless victory?

Season 2 Episode 1 – Little Napoleons

Breaking Nation: A Civil War Podcast is a production of Waveland Creative.
Host: Scott Holmgren
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