Research Guides: U.S. History: Civil War & Reconstruction: Overview

Background & Reference

The Oxford Handbook of the American Civil War
Assembles the contributions of thirty-nine leading scholars of the Civil War
Historical Dictionary of the Civil War and Reconstruction
Covers the significant events, persons, politics, and economic and social themes of the Civil War and Reconstruction
The Cambridge History of the American Civil War: Volume 1, Military Affairs
This volume narrates the major battles and campaigns of the conflict, conveying the full military experience during the Civil War.
The Cambridge History of the American Civil War: Volume 2, Affairs of the State
This volume explores the political and social dimensions of the Civil War in both the North and South.
The Cambridge History of the American Civil War: Volume 3, Affairs of the People
This volume analyzes the cultural and intellectual impact of the war, considering how it reshaped Americans' spiritual, cultural, and intellectual habits.

America: History & Life (EBSCO) This link opens in a new window
Any topic regarding U.S. or Canadian history
JSTOR This link opens in a new window
Fulltext of the entire back issues of scholarly journals
Library Search - Advanced This link opens in a new window
Articles, books, & media among SMU Libraries' collections & databases

Historical Newspapers: Civil War Era This link opens in a new window
Slavery & Anti-Slavery Pamphlets Collection 1830-1867
The Civil War Pamphlets Collection 1850-1918
Newspapers 1840-1865
Harpweek - The Civil War Era: 1857-1865 This link opens in a new window
Harper's Weekly newspaper, 1857-1912
Illustrated Civil War Newspapers and Magazines This link opens in a new window
Covers 4 viewpoints: Union, Confederate, Abolitionist, & British
Early American Newspapers This link opens in a new window
Newspapers published from 1690-1922
Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers This link opens in a new window