University of Richmond to host first event in Civil War Sesquicentennial series April 29; registrations now being accepted
In 1859, the United States was still two years from the beginning of the Civil War, yet there were signs that things were about to change. John Brown led a raid on the armory at Harper’s Ferry, the slave-based economy of the South was at an all-time peak and a presidential election with some calling for radical change was nearing.
University of Richmond President Edward L. Ayers, an award-winning author and historian of the American South, has assembled a group of nationally recognized Civil War historians to explore the state of the country two years before the first shots were fired in the nation’s deadliest conflict. They will gather for a day-long conference April 29, 2009 at the University’s Robins Center.
Free and open to the public, “America on the Eve of the Civil War” is the first in a series of seven annual conferences and two symposia sponsored by the Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission, created by the Virginia General Assembly to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Virginia’s participation in the war. It also is the first Civil War sesquicentennial commemorative event in the nation, according to William J. Howell, speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates, who chairs the commission. Sen. Charles J. Colgan Sr., president pro tempore of the Virginia Senate, is vice-chair of the commission.
Conference registration is now open and will be limited to 2,500 people. To register, go to www.VirginiaCivilWar.org or call (804) 786-3591.
The program will focus on four topics from the year 1859:
In 1859, the United States was still two years from the beginning of the Civil War, yet there were signs that things were about to change. John Brown led a raid on the armory at Harper’s Ferry, the slave-based economy of the South was at an all-time peak and a presidential election with some calling for radical change was nearing.
University of Richmond President Edward L. Ayers, an award-winning author and historian of the American South, has assembled a group of nationally recognized Civil War historians to explore the state of the country two years before the first shots were fired in the nation’s deadliest conflict. They will gather for a day-long conference April 29, 2009 at the University’s Robins Center.
Free and open to the public, “America on the Eve of the Civil War” is the first in a series of seven annual conferences and two symposia sponsored by the Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission, created by the Virginia General Assembly to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Virginia’s participation in the war. It also is the first Civil War sesquicentennial commemorative event in the nation, according to William J. Howell, speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates, who chairs the commission. Sen. Charles J. Colgan Sr., president pro tempore of the Virginia Senate, is vice-chair of the commission.
Conference registration is now open and will be limited to 2,500 people. To register, go to www.VirginiaCivilWar.org or call (804) 786-3591.
The program will focus on four topics from the year 1859:
- Taking Stock of the Nation – The U.S. is completing its most exhaustive census to date and all parts of the country are booming. Are the regions becoming more integrated or divergent? How will the growth affect politics, religion and reform?
- The Future of Virginia and the South – The slave-based economy of the South is at an all-time peak, and slaves and cotton have never been worth more. Will those trends continue?
- Making Sense of John Brown’s Raid – The electrifying event of 1859 was John Brown’s raid on the armory at Harpers Ferry. What are the long-term effects of the raid?
- Predictions for the Election of 1860 – Panelists will discuss the potential candidates of each party and determine who has the best chance for winning the nomination and general election. There is turmoil among the Democrats, and Southern-rights advocates are calling for radical change
The interactive program will feature speakers from varied perspectives in a format similar to news programs like “Face the Nation” and “Meet the Press.” Speakers will limit themselves only to what would have been known in 1859.
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