
Documents & Debates: American Exceptionalism and the Civil War
About this episode
Andy Lang and Jeff discuss the idea of American Exceptionalism - is America a special, distinct place because of its political culture and ideas? - and the Civil War. In particular, they discuss the question the Civil War presented: would America be exceptional because it sought to live up to its founding principles, or would exceptionalism result from the creation of a new country, based on the “science” of a racial hierarchy?
Host: Jeff Sikkenga
Executive Producer: Greg McBrayer
Producer: Jeremy Gypton
Subscribe via popular podcast apps: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea
Get every episode summarized
Each time The American Idea publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from The American Idea

The Last Adieu: Lafayette and Early America
The American Idea

Completing the Founding: The Northwest Ordinance of 1787
The American Idea

Fact or Fiction? Historians Discuss Young Washington
The American Idea

America's First Citizen: Character Lessons from George Washington
The American Idea