Journal of Haiti and the Americas
161 years ago, the Civil War: “an unprecedented upheaval” in the United States
Audio 7:30 p.m.
Cover of the book “The Civil War.
The Great American War 1861-1865” by Vincent Bernard.
© Past Composed Editions
By: Mikaël Ponge Follow |
Mikael Ponge Follow
2 mins
On April 12 and 13, 1861, the attack on Fort Sumter in Charleston Bay by troops from the Confederate States sparked the Civil War, the deadliest conflict in the United States.
Back to this page of history with consequences still present with the author Vincent Bernard.
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Four years of conflict, 750,000 dead, or about 2.5% of the population, which comes close in proportion to the hecatombs of the First World War, the Civil War is the deadliest conflict in American history.
161 years after its outbreak, more than 60,000 books have been written on the subject, proof that there are "
several interwoven stories that have difficulty in articulating
", explains our guest, Vincent Bernard, author of
La guerre de Secession.
The Great American War 1861-1865
,
published this year by Passés Composites.
“
These are two parts of the United States on diverging trajectories
” which will confront each other for four years, explains Vincent Bernard: “
The North is in the process of industrialization, the South is based on agriculture and has favored slavery which is beneficial to it
”.
"
This is an unprecedented upheaval in American history, due to the abolition of slavery, but not only, the reversal of economic prosperity from the South to the North
", explains the author who underlines that the hopes of reconciliation, once the war was over, came up against "
old racist quirks and clashes between communities that would give birth to a century of segregation in the South.
Stigmas that have still not disappeared in modern America
”.
Joe Biden denounces genocide in Ukraine
The American press speaks of an “
unexpected
” term.
Tuesday, April 12, 2022, Joe Biden referred to a "genocide" to qualify the atrocities committed by Russia in Ukraine.
This is the first time the President of the United States has used this term.
In recent days, Russian missiles hit a train station in Ukraine, killing more than 50 people, and last week the world discovered images of dead civilian bodies on the streets of Bucha, near kyiv.
Shortly after using the term genocide, Joe Biden confirmed that it was intentional.
This will "
probably exacerbate tensions with Russia, which are already high after six weeks of military attack
", estimates the daily
The Hill
.
►
Also to listen:
On the front page: Joe Biden speaks of "genocide" in Ukraine
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