In the 1860's, 11 southern states withdrew from the United States and formed the Confederacy. They seceded in response to the growing movement for the nationwide abolition of slavery. Yet barely a year after the Civil War ended, southern...

Many notable American historical figures are considered role models -- but why? George Washington was devilishly smart, and Abraham Lincoln was a brave leader, but have you heard of Sybil Ludington or Beriah Green? Amy Bissetta expounds...

Isabella Baumfree was born into slavery in late 18th century New York. Fleeing bondage with her youngest daughter, she renamed herself Sojourner Truth and embarked on a legendary speaking tour. She became known as an electrifying orator...

The Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery in the United States in 1865. But it was just the beginning of a long fight for equality and civil rights.

The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 allowed territories to decide on slavery through popular sovereignty, escalating tensions that led to the Civil War.

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848 transferred 55% of Mexican territory to the U.S., and ignited a fierce debate over slavery in these new lands.

At a time when women in the United States did not have the right to vote, Susan B. Anthony played a pivotal role in the women's suffrage movement.

Between 1619 and 1820, slavery shaped America, driving economic growth while deepening divisions between North and South, highlighting a stark contradiction in the nation’s ideals.

The Triangular Trade was a complex system of human trafficking spanning three continents. Between the 16th and 19th centuries, it saw millions of Africans transported to the Americas.

Dred Scott's fight for freedom led to a Supreme Court decision that denied citizenship to Black Americans, fuelling tensions that contributed to the Civil War.

The Missouri Compromise was designed to maintain a delicate balance of power in Congress between slave states and free states. But how did it come about, what did it mean and how did it contribute to the US Civil War?

Between the 1790s and the 1830s, the United States experienced a Second Great Awakening, as religious revivalists campaigned to improve the moral and spiritual character of the country.

Abolitionist John Brown viewed the fight against slavery as a holy endeavor that could only be won through violence. His raid on Harpers Ferry was an attempt to spark a mass uprising of enslaved people across the South.

The assassination of Abraham Lincoln by John Wilkes Booth was part of a conspiracy to overthrow the U.S. government. Lincoln’s death united the nation in grief and set the stage for a tumultuous Reconstruction era.

On April 12, 1861, Confederate forces attacked Fort Sumter, South Carolina, marking the explosive start of the Civil War. The conflict led to short-lived progress and long-term struggles for true racial equality.

At the time of the American Revolution, enslaved Africans made up a fifth of the population of the Thirteen Colonies. Though they were initially barred from taking part in the war, eventually thousands did. But what part did they play...

At a time when more than 3 million African Americans were enslaved in the United States, Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote a groundbreaking book that galvanized the public to call for their freedom.

In the United States, the Liberty Bell is a symbol of freedom. In this video, learn about the history of the bell, and why it is still important today.

Every year on June 19th, the United States celebrates the end of slavery. In this video, learn about the history and meaning of Juneteenth.

The American Civil War wasn’t just a fight between North and South, it also involved Indigenous Peoples and African Americans, whose motivations for joining the fight had contrasting results.

The American Anti-Slavery Society was the country's first major national abolitionist organization. Founded in 1833, it raised awareness of the atrocities of slavery - but as time went on, factions emerged within the group.

Explore the extraordinary life of Olaudah Equiano, whose autobiography became a key text in the British abolitionist movement. Discover how his words changed minds and influenced Parliament.<br/>

This video examines the role of Radical Republicans during Reconstruction, highlighting their push for civil rights and the abolition of enslavement. Learn about their conflict with Presidents Lincoln and Johnson, the passage of the...

This video explores the history of voting rights in the United States, focusing on the exclusion of many groups, such as women, Black Americans, and Native Americans, during the country's early years. It highlights the work of key...