Emancipation and the Destruction of Slavery, 1861-1865

The American Civil War resulted in the destruction of slavery in the United States, yet it is not always evident how this came about. People argue over who – or what – freed the slaves, the impact of the Emancipation Proclamation, and how the war itself contributed to the destruction of slavery. Perhaps it may be better to ask a simple question: how did freedom come? There were many reasons why the war resulted in slavery’s ultimate demise, all of which are highlighted in this presentation marking the sesquicentennial of the destruction of slavery in the United States.

Brooks D. Simpson is ASU Foundation Professor of History, teaching in Barrett, The Honors College, as well as in the School of Historical, Philosophical, and Religious Studies. He received his B.A. in History and International Relations from the University of Virginia (1979), followed by his M.A. (1982) and Ph.D. (1989) in History from the University of Wisconsin. Author of seven books, co-author of two more, and editor or co-editor of seven other volumes, his area of expertise is nineteenth century United States history, especially the period of the Civil War and Reconstruction, as well as the American presidency.