Secrets

Secrets of the Civil War

In our 12-part series, Secrets of the Civil War, we dive into the tumultuous time in our US history full of battles, conflict, death, and destruction. But would it surprise you to know that, while the battles fought during the Civil War absolutely impacted the landscape of our country, they aren’t the full story. Even when divided, the nation grew in unexpected ways, and we’re still feeling reverberations of those advancements today. Join us to hear how the war paved the way for new ideas–some good, like the advent of ambulances, and some… not so helpful, like the Army’s camel brigade. We’ll talk about photography, spies, emancipation, and even a war within the war.

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Secrets of the Civil War: The Rocky Road of Reconstruction

After the war, the Union brought the seceded states back together. The newly reunited country had lots of healing to do. Reconstruction took over a decade, and many constitutional amendments, to create new scaffolding. Still the United States was as segregated as ever. Listen with Sharon McMahon.

Secrets of the Civil War: The Necessity of Innovation

We have covered all sorts of innovations that arose out of the conflict, from deviled ham spread and spy balloons to surgical advancements. Let's continue that exploration with a wide range of new developments like photojournalism, a national currency, and the evolution of premade clothing.

Secrets of the Civil War: Battlefield Angels and Amputations

Approximately 620 thousand soldiers died in the Civil War, and some historians believe that number might be closer to 750 thousand. But believe it or not, it could have been worse. The Civil War hastened medical advancements out of necessity, and we still benefit from these advancements today.

Secrets of the Civil War: North Toward Freedom

Meet some of the key players in the Abolition Movement–a persuader, an agitator, and a conductor on this episode of Here's Where It Get's Interesting with Sharon McMahon. Their ideals and actions helped foster the success of the Underground Railroad and the path to emancipation.

Secrets of the Civil War: The War Within a War

Learn about something you didn't already know! During the seemingly all-consuming Civil War, there was another entirely different series of skirmishes and battles happening in America. It only lasted 6 weeks, but had devastating consequences. Join Sharon McMahon on Here's Where It Get's Interesting!

Secrets of the Civil War: A Tale of Two Roberts

In this episode in our series, Secrets of the Civil War, we’re going to hear about two men–both named Robert and hailed as heroes, who had completely different backgrounds – until the Civil War changed the directions of their lives forever. One was a boat thief and the other was a battalion leader.

Secrets of the Civil War: Survival Off the Battlefields

Let’s talk about life for people who weren’t on the battlefield. What did they get up and do every day? What did they worry about? We’ll witness the war through the eyes of five women whose stories are symbolic of the real experiences that women endured during the Civil War.

Secrets of the Civil War: A War Won on Food

Did you know that Hot Pockets, astronaut food, and maple bacon donuts all have their origins in the Battle Between the States? It’s true! During the Civil War, the most important thing for soldiers’ survival wasn’t ammunition or strategic plans – food! Grab a snack and settle in with Sharon McMahon.

Secrets of the Civil War: Intel from the Inside

It just might surprise you that spies and spy balloons, classified documents, and racially-motivated riots aren’t just the headlines of today but were, in fact, hallmarks of the American Civil War. We think of the North as the emancipators, the champions of freedom, but that’s not the whole story.

Secrets of the Civil War: From Camels to Confederacy

Learn about Jefferson Davis from Sharon McMahon, the man who became the president of the states that tried to secede. And it may come as a surprise to you that Jefferson Davis did have some successful ideas, particularly when it came to importing desert camels into the American West.

Secrets of the Civil War: A Fractured America

Welcome to Secrets of the Civil War. The Union and the Confederacy, divided though they were, experienced incredible changes in medicine, technology, food science, and transportation during four years of conflict. It was also an era of innovation and advancement, spies and social evolution.