Opening remarks -- Taking stock of the nation in 1859 -- The future of Virginia and the South -- First question-and-answer session -- Making sense of John Brown's raid -- Predictions for the election of 1860 -- Second question-and-answer session -- Closing remarks -- Conclusion : marking the Civil War sesquicentennial, will we do better this time?
Summary
Little happened in 1859 that would have told Americans there were on the precipice of a continent-wide war and the end of the most powerful slave society in the world. Yet, within eighteen months of the end of 1859 conflict descended on the nation and familiar characters were playing unfamiliar roles. Robert E. Lee was in command of troops at Harpers Ferry. Tom Jackson was a math professor at VMI, though he will lead cadets to ensure order at the hanging of John Brown at the very end of the year. Sam Grant was a bill collector in St. Louis, and "Cump" Sherman was heading a military school in Louisiana. Jefferson Davis was a senator, and Abraham Lincoln was a successful lawyer and failed senatorial candidate
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references and index
Notes
The first in a series of annual Signature Conferences sponsored by the Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission, "America on the Eve of the Civil War" was held in April 2009
