An awareness of the American Civil War which cost 600,000 lives is essential in understanding the history of the evolution of the United States. This course examines the complex causes of the war – the racism, politics and economics of slavery, the continental expansion of the United States from 1789-1860, the growing regional tensions between the North and South from 1820-1860, and the secession of the southern states and formation of the Confederacy in 1860-61. It explains why the North won the war by looking at the campaigns and key battles and the political and military leadership of the North and South. It looks at the international dimensions of the war: the involvement of England, France, Russia and the Australian connection. It considers the social reforms and technological advancements spawned by the war. It examines the three phases of Reconstruction, 1865-1877, and the legacy of this war.

Your Tutor is Dr Daniel Fazio

Dr Daniel Fazio PhD, MA, BA (Hons) has been teaching at WEA since 2018.

Daniel is a Lecturer in History and Politics at the University of South Australia. His areas of expertise include the history of American and Australian foreign policy and politics, the history of the US-Australian relationship, US-Korean-Australian relations, and modern Korean history and politics. He teaches World and US History, and international and Australian politics.

Daniel has taught the history of American foreign policy, the American Civil War, America at War, Twentieth Century America, Nazi Germany, Russia/USSR 1917-53, History's Turning Points and Killing Fields, War and Society, and World History.

Daniel is also an experienced political activist, having worked on a number of federal, state and local government election campaigns.