The Major History Podcast

In the spring of 1861, the Civil War ignited when Confederate forces attacked Fort Sumter, signaling the start of the conflict between the North and South.

President Abraham Lincoln, determined to preserve the Union, issued a call for 75,000 troops to suppress the rebellion, leading to swift responses across the nation.

While Northern states rallied to his side, the Upper South, including Virginia, Arkansas, and Tennessee, chose to secede.

As tensions escalated, pivotal battles and political decisions would shape the course of history. Watch to learn how Lincoln’s leadership steered the nation through its darkest days of division.

The American Civil War didn’t begin overnight. Tensions had been simmering for years, and as the crisis deepened, every decision carried immense consequences.

In this episode, we uncover the key events that led to the standoff at Fort Sumter and the fateful exchange of fire that marked the war’s beginning.

How did it all unfold? And could war have been avoided?

This is the story of Fort Sumter and the moment the Civil War began.

Who was the worst president in American history?

Many factors can make a presidency disastrous—failed leadership, poor decision-making, or policies that pushed the nation toward crisis.

In this episode, I break down the actions of one president whose failures had lasting consequences, leaving the country more divided and unstable than ever.

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