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History News Network: How the Telegraph Helped Lincoln Win the Civil War
Abraham Lincoln participated in battle strategy in real time thanks to the telegraph. Read the fascinating story of how Abraham Lincoln was intimately involved in the course of the Civil War due to the increased use of the telegraph.
Central Intelligence Agency
Cia: Intelligence in the Civil War [Pdf]
A multi-topic look at intelligence gathering, the tools used, and the people involved in both the North and the South during the Civil War. Comprehensive, interesting coverage from the CIA.
Civil War Home
Home of the American Civil War: Military Telegraph Service
Ciphers, codes, and wiretaps were all part of the telegraph service in both the Union and Confederacy. Read about the importance of the telegraph in relaying information and obtaining plans surreptitiously. From "Photographic History of...
Huntington Library
Huntington Library: Decoding the Civil War
This is a rich learning module where students explore the use of telegraphs and of Union codes during the Civil War. Both topics have an "Explainer" to introduce it, pre- and post-activities, and primary and secondary source materials to...
Library of Congress
Loc: The Civil War: The Nation Moves Toward War
Examine the causes of the Civil War using primary source documents. This lesson plan gives background on the Civil War, includes a timeline, and a bibliography for further reading. Primary source documents include music, newspapers,...
Civil War Home
Home of the American Civil War: Transportation and Commerce in the Civil War
From "The Civil War Day by Day" by E.B. Long comes this informative article about the different types of transportation that were used in the Civil War and why each had its importance.
US Army Center
U.s. Army Center of Military History: Getting the Message Through: Civil War Organization and Training
An exhaustive look at the Signal Corps, the legislation behind its formation, and its many uses during the Civil War. Find the equipment used, the code for the signal flags, and pictures of the troops. This is a very detailed and...
The History Cat
The History Cat: Lincoln's High Tech War
Describes the weaponry used during the Civil War, and some of the innovative technology that the Union's military forces employed. These included the minie ball, rifles, underwater torpedoes, the use of hot air balloons, and improved...
Virginia Historical Society
Virginia Historical Society: Waging War: The Battlefront: The First Modern War?
Discusses some of the new military and other technologies that were used during the Civil War in Virginia.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Was There an Industrial Revolution?
This lesson plan from EDSITEment discusses the actual factors leading to the Industrial Revolution in the post-civil war era. Contains many links to primary source materials.
Library of Congress
Loc: Map Collections 1500 2002
This collection provides maps dating back to 1500 up to the present. The collection includes: cities, towns, discovery and exploration, conservation and environment, military battles, cultural landscapes, transportation, communication,...