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Online Program

Online Lecture: 1850s America — Road to the Civil War

Program No. 25209RJ
Join us on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at 2 p.m. (ET)/ 11 a.m. (PT), for a one-hour lecture and Q&A to learn about one of the most turbulent periods in American history, the 1850s.
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Country StudiesHistoryOnline Lecture
Length
1 hour
Rating
New
Starts at
25

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At a Glance

One of the most turbulent periods in American history, the 1850s saw the nation increasingly divided by the clash over slavery and the pressures of westward expansion. Landmark events — from the Dred Scott decision to the Kansas-Nebraska Act to John Brown’s raid — silenced moderates and emboldened extremists. Join Brian Altobello as he unpacks how this critical decade paved the way for Abraham Lincoln’s 1860 election, sparking secession and setting the stage for a nation plunged into civil war.

General Notes

Your online lecture will take place live over the course of 1-2 hours. All times are listed in the EASTERN time zone. If you live in a different time zone, please adjust your schedule accordingly. This live online experience uses Zoom Webinar, an easy-to-use web video service that includes closed captioning. All you need is an Internet connection and your computer. You will receive a confirmation email when you enroll, and a reminder email one week and one day before, as well as the morning of the event with a link and instructions on how to tune in. You will not be pictured on screen during the lecture, but you will have the opportunity to ask the instructor live questions using the Q&A box. Unless otherwise noted, all those who enroll in this program receive access to the live event as well as a recording of the lecture that you can watch any time within the two weeks following the live event.
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Brian Altobello
Brian Altobello is a native of New Orleans with a master’s in U.S. history and three decades of experience teaching at the high school level. He is a U.S. Army veteran and author of three books, the latest of which is ‘Whiskey, Women, and War: How the Great War Shaped Jim Crow New Orleans,’ published by the University Press of Mississippi. Altobello regularly delivers talks on New Orleans history to Road Scholar groups visiting New Orleans and on Mississippi River paddle wheeler cruise lines.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

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Brian Altobello View biography
Brian Altobello is a native of New Orleans with a master’s in U.S. history and three decades of experience teaching at the high school level. He is a U.S. Army veteran and author of three books, the latest of which is ‘Whiskey, Women, and War: How the Great War Shaped Jim Crow New Orleans,’ published by the University Press of Mississippi. Altobello regularly delivers talks on New Orleans history to Road Scholar groups visiting New Orleans and on Mississippi River paddle wheeler cruise lines.
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