Speeches in wartime do more than persuade. They inspire, they unify, and they define the terms of struggle. In the years around 1861, orators on both sides used rhetoric to justify secession, to call men to arms, to appeal for foreign sympathy, and to reframe the meaning of the Union. From abolitionist orations to Confederate defenses of slavery, public speech shaped recruitment, diplomacy, and memory. So in this episode, I’m asking… how did speeches win the American Civil War? . Special Guest: Thomas Wright, a Professor of History at the University of Sussex, who specialises in 19th‑century American political culture and rhetoric. His recent work examines public persuasion, print culture, and transatlantic debates during the Civil War era. . Highlights: 02:10 - Speeches were an event 05:45 - Politics and religion 09:35 - The Antislavery Movement 16:13 - The Most Consequential Speech in American History 21:06 - The Confederate Argument 27:18 - Did the South Really Believe in Slavery? 32:36 - Abraham Lincoln 39:52 - The Art of the Soundbite 42:45 - Gladstone's Speech 48:00 - What Makes Speeches So Powerful? 53:59 - Modern Speeches . For an extended reading list and to learn more, join our Patreon community now: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa⁠ . Contact us: [email protected] Get the newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠https://america-the-story-of-the-usa.beehiiv.com/⁠⁠⁠ Brands & advertises: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices