Today we will talk about the most internationally important battle of the war, and about a terrible human being who will mostly be unmentioned the rest of the show.

Before we really start discussing the battles of the Civil War, we first need to look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of the combatants. We also need to discuss the "Lost Cause of the Confederacy" myth because it will become super important for our story going forward.

Finally we are here. Tensions have been growing for the last 84 years and now everything breaks down. 10 years after the Compromise of 1850 Abraham Lincoln was elected as president, and 11 states left the union. On April 12, 1861 shots rang out at Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor. By the end of April 13 Fort Sumter was surrendered and the war officially began. Everything is about to change, and it will open up the entire country for the Gilded Age.

When we last left off, we had discussed some of the leadup to the Civil War, namely the Nullification Crisis, and Nat Turner’s Rebellion and some of the actions made by southern legislatures after both events. Today we will continue our look into the leadup to the Civil War, focusing on The Mexican-American War, and the ensuing Compromise of 1850. We will also meet some important figures in our story going forward, including some names you might recognize, including an unknown congressman from Illinois named Abraham Lincoln.

Before we begin our discussion on The Gilded Age, we first need to do a brief overview of the Civil War. Now we will not be doing a dive on the war because there are countless better podcasts, books, documentaries, and films about it, but it is important for our story going forward. The Civil War was certainly the most explosive time in American history. Never before, and never since was the nation split in 2. Much of our story will be dealing with the fallout after the war. Before we really talk about the war, we have to talk about the 84 year lead up to it. And we're going to talk about some really sexy stuff, Tariffs!

The Gilded Age, I've Never heard of it! Before we begin our deep dive on The Gilded Age, we have to ask ourselves a few questions. First, what was the Gilded Age? The second thing we have to do is establish when it began. Thirdly, when it ended, and Finally, how the era got its name in the first place.

Join me and Jon as we discuss one of the most transformative eras in US history. Beginning July 15, 2025.