The Civil War

Between 1861 and 1865, Americans made war on each other and killed each other in great numbers if only to become the kind of country that could no longer conceive of how that was possible. What began as a bitter dispute over Union and States' Rights, ended as a struggle over the meaning of freedom in America.

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Making The Civil War: 25 Years Later

Premiered October 23, 2017

Making The Civil War: 25 Years Later

Ken Burns, Ric Burns, Buddy Squires, and Allen Moore discuss the making of The Civil War.

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All Episodes

The Civil War: Season 1

1865: "War Is All Hell"/"The Better Angels of Our Nature": asset-mezzanine-16x9

Watch (2:14:38)

1865: "War Is All Hell"/"The Better Angels of Our Nature"

1864: "Valley of the Shadow of Death"/"Most Hallowed Ground": asset-mezzanine-16x9

Watch (2:18:35)

1864: "Valley of the Shadow of Death"/"Most Hallowed Ground"

1863: "Simply Murder"/"The Universe of Battle": asset-mezzanine-16x9

Watch (2:34:49)

1863: "Simply Murder"/"The Universe of Battle"

1862: "A Very Bloody Affair"/"Forever Free": asset-mezzanine-16x9

Watch (2:21:25)

1862: "A Very Bloody Affair"/"Forever Free"

1861: "The Cause": asset-mezzanine-16x9

Watch (1:40:58)

1861: "The Cause"

Program Specials & Extras

Ken Burns, Ric Burns, Buddy Squires, and Allen Moore discuss the making of The Civil War.

Watch (28:19)

Special

Making The Civil War: 25 Years Later

Learn how The Civil War series has been completely restored to Ultra HD – 4K resolution.

Watch (13:57)

Special

Restoring The Civil War