Barry and Florence Friedberg Auditorium

Reconstruction in the United States after the Civil War remains an ongoing process, initiated not with peace in April 1865 but with war in April 1861. Recent scholarship sheds new light on this pivotal era, crucial for understanding why Reconstruction failed and how subsequent generations grappled with its legacy. Stephen D. Engle surveys the transformative impact of war, arguing that wartime Reconstruction brought fundamental change. It liberated southern slaves, preserved American federalism, and expanded civil rights. Engle's reassessment highlights the significance of Reconstruction in shaping post-war America, emphasizing its enduring relevance in our modern quest to comprehend the complexities of war and society. This program is being presented as a seminar with limited enrollment to foster discussion.

"Dr. Engle is the best. I would take any program that is offered because the content is so enriching, the presentation excellent and his knowledge of the subjects is extraordinary." OLLI Patron

Lecture