History of the Civil War 1861–1865

The book covers the entire span of the Civil War from its origins and the secession crisis in 1861 to the surrender of Confederate forces in 1865. Rhodes provides a detailed examination of the political military and social aspects of the war as well as the key events and figures that shaped its outcome. One of the notable features of Rhodess history is his focus on the causes of the Civil War. He emphasizes the role of slavery as the primary catalyst for the conflict and his analysis reflects the prevailing view among historians at the time. Rhodess work was part of the Dunning School of historical thought which tended to downplay the significance of Reconstruction and the post-war era particularly regarding civil rights for African Americans. History of the Civil War 1861–1865 was well-received and earned Rhodes the Pulitzer Prize for History in 1918. However modern scholars have critiqued Rhodess interpretation highlighting its limitations and biases. Over time historical understanding of the Civil War has evolved and more recent works provide a more nuanced and comprehensive view of the wars causes consequences and its impact on American society.