Explore the Battle of the Crater, a pivotal yet unusual Civil War conflict marked by triumph and blunders in leadership.
This course dives into the Battle of the Crater, an ironic Civil War event where great expectations turned into a fiasco. Students explore the Union's failed tunnel strategy and the contrasting performances of various leaders during this catastrophic battle near Petersburg.
A most unusual battle of the American Civil War
This short course describes one of the most unusual and ironic battles of the American Civil War. The Battle of the Crater took place on July 30, 1864 outside Petersburg, Virginia. What should have been a stunning breakthrough and victory turned out to be a catastrophic defeat. This course also displays many leaders at their very worst, and also, some leaders at their best.
The course begins with a short introduction to set the context for the battle. Then the lectures focus on the Union effort to secretly dig a tunnel beneath the Confederate lines, and plant tons of explosives underneath. The explosion of this mine should open the way through the lines and break the stalemate outside the city of Petersburg.
In this course, students will find out what happened instead, including a lot of errors that compounded as the battle ensued. In the last lectures, there will be a conclusion, an epilogue, and a short oral quiz.
The course is intended for those High School age and up, and requires just the ability to view and hear video lectures, and perhaps a word processor for the bibliography at the end of the course. There are nine lectures, and the time to complete the lectures is only about one hour.
After viewing this course, students will be able to describe the Battle of the Crater, including the spectacular achievements of the 48th Regiment from Pennsylvania and the deplorable leadership blunders of many in the Union army there.
After viewing this course, students will understand how the 48th Regiment from Pennsylvania ingeniously constructed a mine underneath Confederate lines at Petersburg.
After viewing this course, students will understand the Union battle plan for the Battle of the Crater, and how this plan failed miserably because of leadership errors.
1 Lectures
2 Lectures
4 Lectures
Dr. Franz has been teaching history for 38 years in various colleges, and sometimes to high school students. He has written a number of historical dramas for his history students, and after one season's performance, he received a letter of commendation from former president George Bush, Sr. for making history alive to students today. He has also taken history students...
great lecture and teacher
It was kind of boring but I did learn a few things.
General interest in the American Civil War. Interesting to compare and contrast with other civil wars.
A great explanation of a very interesting battle that I didnt know about. Course was very well presented and I enjoyed doing the quizes at the end of each section. I liked being able to print out the summary of each section too. Instructor was easy to listen to and slideshow well presented. for a free course, this was well worth the time. Looking forward to doing another one of Prof Franz's courses.
Great! :)
What a wonderful course! It is filled with keen observations, interesting facts about the personality of the participants and valuable lessons learned.
I have read a book about this battle. This course is bringing it a little more to life.
Dr. Franz has a way of making this story come alive.
A good course if you're interested in the American Civil War.
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Walter D.
Excellent