History As It Happens: Appomattox – A Complex Conclusion to the American Civil War
Hosted by Martin Di Caro | Released April 8, 2025
On the 160th anniversary of Appomattox, host Martin Di Caro delves into the nuanced end of the American Civil War in the episode titled "Appomattox." Featuring Brown University historian Michael Vorenberg, author of Lincoln's the Struggle to End the American Civil War, the discussion challenges the simplistic notion that the Civil War concluded decisively on April 9, 1865, with General Robert E. Lee’s surrender to General Ulysses S. Grant.
The Symbolic End at Appomattox
Martin Di Caro opens the conversation by referencing Michael Vorenberg’s insights from his recent book. Vorenberg highlights how April 9, 1865, marks the surrender at Appomattox Courthouse, often celebrated as the definitive end of the Civil War. He quotes the author:
"No one can argue that Lee surrendered to Grant at Appomattox on April 9, 1865, the date we most commonly associate with the war's ending." (02:12)
This moment, immortalized in C-SPAN’s 150th-anniversary reenactment, symbolizes closure. However, Vorenberg emphasizes that the war's conclusion was far more protracted and multifaceted.
Beyond Appomattox: Continuing Conflict
Dior Caro and Vorenberg explore the ongoing hostilities that extended beyond April 1865. Vorenberg points out that while Appomattox signified a pivotal surrender, fighting persisted into May and even June in isolated skirmishes and insurgencies:
"Fighting continued. Small battles were fought into May and violence terroristic violence aimed at the newly freed African Americans made the political work of reconstructing the Union all the more urgent." (02:23)
These continued conflicts underscored the complexities of Reconstruction, highlighting that the formal end of the war, as defined by legal and political milestones, lagged significantly behind military surrender.
The Lost Cause and Its Legacy
A significant portion of the discussion centers on the enduring myth of the Lost Cause—a narrative that romanticizes the Confederate cause and downplays the role of slavery. Vorenberg critiques this myth, explaining how it has skewed historical understanding:
"The Lost Cause has that element to it. The difference is cause of the Confederacy has elements to it that are very different from the cause of the American Revolution." (14:40)
He elucidates how this myth serves as a coping mechanism, allowing former Confederates and their sympathizers to sanitize the war’s true motivations and outcomes. This distortion has permeated historical accounts, often sidelining the significant role of African Americans in shaping post-war America.
Comparative Perspectives: Vietnam and Occupation Warfare
Drawing parallels to other conflicts, Vorenberg and Di Caro compare the Confederate strategy of holding out to modern occupation dynamics, such as the U.S. involvement in Vietnam. Vorenberg remarks:
"If we say that the Southern white leadership... wants the withdrawal of U.S. troops, let's say you wear down the will to occupy in the north... That's a pretty similar scenario." (40:57)
This comparison underscores the metaphorical "wars of the mind" where the persistence of certain ideologies prolongs conflict beyond its military resolution.
Reconstruction: Legal and Political Endpoints
The conversation shifts to the Reconstruction era, examining various dates proposed as the war's true end. Vorenberg discusses how different definitions—military, legal, political—shape our understanding:
"Whatever date you pick then makes a definition of the war that is your own." (35:49)
He notes that Andrew Johnson’s proclamations in 1866 and the Supreme Court’s affirmation, as well as Congressional milestones extending into 1871, all represent potential endpoints. However, these dates often overlook the ongoing struggles for civil rights and the systemic attempts to undermine Reconstruction.
American Exceptionalism and Historical Memory
Vorenberg critiques the American exceptionalist narrative that portrays the Civil War's end as a uniquely peaceful and gentlemanly affair. He argues that this narrative overlooks the violent reprisals and entrenched racial tensions that persisted:
"The symbolism, that image that... was absolutely blasted onto my head, into my brain... coming to an agreement... That symbolism... forgets about the power that black people have at that moment." (51:26)
This sanitized memory contrasts sharply with the reality of continued racial oppression and the incomplete nature of Reconstruction’s promises.
Historiography and the Battle for Historical Truth
Addressing how history is recorded and remembered, Vorenberg discusses the influence of the Lost Cause and the Dunning School on historical scholarship. He emphasizes the need to "untell" these skewed narratives to present a more accurate account:
"It's often Northerners who are writing the history... They are anti-radical Republican... It's not just that the losers write the history..." (57:26)
Referencing works by W.E.B. Du Bois and Eric Foner, Vorenberg advocates for a historiographical shift that acknowledges the centrality of emancipation and the true complexities of Reconstruction.
The Enduring Impact of Reconstruction’s Conclusion
In wrapping up, Di Caro and Vorenberg reflect on how the fluctuating definitions of the Civil War’s end influence contemporary understandings of American history and race relations. They highlight key legislative milestones and their delayed effects on African American civil rights, illustrating how the war’s legacy extends well into the 20th century.
Closing Thoughts
The episode concludes with Vorenberg emphasizing the importance of recognizing the multi-layered conclusion of the Civil War. By challenging simplistic historical narratives, his insights encourage a deeper appreciation of the war’s lasting impacts on American society.
"The image that... is not exactly what happened, but it’s how we remember the end, is that the war ends with an agreement... It doesn't just go away." (51:26)
Recommended Reading:
- Lincoln's the Struggle to End the American Civil War by Michael Vorenberg
- Battle Cry of Freedom by James McPherson
- Black Reconstruction in America by W.E.B. Du Bois
- Reconstruction by Eric Foner
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