History Specials, Civil War Collection

Watch History Specials, Civil War Collection

  • 2011
  • 1 Season

The History Specials, Civil War Collection from History is an engaging and illuminating documentary series that takes viewers on a journey through one of the most defining periods of American history. Produced by History, the show expertly weaves together dramatic re-enactments, expert analysis, and rare historical footage to provide a fascinating glimpse into the conflict that shaped a nation.

Throughout the series, viewers are treated to a comprehensive overview of the Civil War, from its historic roots and the social and political climate that led up to the outbreak of hostilities, all the way through to the final surrender of the Confederacy and the downfall of slavery. Featuring a diverse range of voices and perspectives, the series offers a balanced and nuanced portrayal of this complex and multifaceted conflict, exploring its causes, consequences, and key players.

One of the standout features of the series is its attention to detail and fidelity to historical accuracy. The show's expert team of historians and researchers have gone to great lengths to ensure that every aspect of the series is based on real events and accurate information, using primary sources and contemporary accounts to bring the past to life in a vivid and engaging way. From the weapons and technology of the battlefield to the political maneuverings of Washington, DC, viewers will come away with a deep and nuanced understanding of the Civil War and its impact on American society.

Another compelling feature of the series is its use of re-enactments and other visual elements to bring historical events to life. Whether it's the sound of musket fire echoing across a battlefield, the sight of a steam locomotive pulling into a station, or the tense negotiations between Union and Confederate generals, the show's impressive attention to detail and production values make each episode feel like a cinematic experience. Combined with the insights and analysis provided by the show's expert commentators, the result is a rich and immersive journey through one of the most turbulent periods in American history.

Overall, the History Specials, Civil War Collection from History is a must-watch for anyone interested in American history, the Civil War, or the broader social and political issues that continue to shape our nation today. With its expert commentary, engaging visuals, and rigorous attention to historical accuracy, the series offers a compelling and nuanced perspective on one of America's defining moments.

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Seasons
The Hunt for John Wilkes Booth
5. The Hunt for John Wilkes Booth
December 23, 2007
It was the largest manhunt in history - ten thousand federal troops, detectives and police hunted those responsible for the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. The conspiracy was vast - an effort to decapitate the United States government at the end of the Civil War. The manhunt was intense - ending 12 days later in a fiery showdown with the man who pulled the trigger - John Wilkes Booth.
You Don't Know Dixie
4. You Don't Know Dixie
August 17, 2011
The idea that history is written by the victors is perhaps nowhere more true than in the aftermath of the American Civil War. The Union's defeat of the Confederacy brought the southern states back into the American fold, but in many ways, the two regions would remain divided, the North inheriting the credit for its impact on history.
Stealing Lincoln's Body
3. Stealing Lincoln's Body
February 16, 2009
Eleven years after Abraham Lincoln's assassination, a band of Chicago counterfeiters plotted to steal his body and hold it for ransom (they wanted $200,000 and the release from prison of the gang's master engraver). The Secret Service, recently formed to deal with the country's ballooning counterfeiting problem, infiltrated the gang with an informer. This two-hour special explores the strange blend of historical trends and cultural movements that prompted this forgotten moment in American history the birth of counterfeiting, the popularizing of the science of embalming, and the beginning of the rural cemetery movement. But mainly it highlights how beyond death, Abraham Lincoln continues to have an amazing influence on American life. Stealing Lincoln's Body is told with archival photographs and images, restored and presented using the latest in computer-enhanced, 3D technology. For the first time, viewers will travel deep into the photographs for amazing 3D views that reveal a level of historical detail never seen before. Dynamic interviews with experts and historians, rich dramatizations and CGI animation re-create Lincoln's post-assassination world through his final burial, 36 years after his death.
Lee & Grant
2. Lee & Grant
May 31, 2011
Produced with the cooperation of leading Civil War historian and Forrest Gump author Winston Groom, Lee and Grant is a personal look at the two iconic leaders of the Civil War. Surprising details reveal the bold choices and almost godlike power Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee summoned on decisive battlefields like Vicksburg and Gettysburg that, within days of each other, turned the tide of the war and changed the course of American history.
Gettysburg
1. Gettysburg
May 30, 2011
The world will little note, nor long remember, what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here." Abraham Lincoln's iconic Gettysburg Address frames this epic, two-hour HISTORY special, commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. Executive produced by Tony Scott and Ridley Scott, Gettysburg looks at the battle from a visceral new perspective, that of the everyday soldiers who fought there, in a confrontation that changed the fate of our nation. Stripping away the romanticized veneer of past treatments, Gettysburg conveys new information and honors the sacrifice of those, both North and South, who fought and died in battle. Raw, immersive and emotional, this groundbreaking event puts viewers inside the three-day conflict where over 50,000 men paid the ultimate price.
Description
  • Premiere Date
    May 30, 2011