Robert E. Lee & the Battle of Gettysburg with Allen Guelzo | Pivotal Battles in American History #2

Join BRI Senior Teaching Fellow Tony Williams as he sits down with scholars to discuss historical topics throughout U.S. History.

BRI Senior Teaching Fellow Tony Williams sits down with renowned historian Allen Guelzo, Director of the James Madison Program’s Initiative in Politics and Statesmanship, author of twelve bestselling books, and winner of the prestigious Lincoln Prize three times, to discuss Dr. Guelzo’s acclaimed book, "Lincoln and Douglas: The Debates that Defined America." Together, they examine the importance of civil political discourse in a democracy. They also converse about Lincoln and Douglas’ differing republican political principles and ideas about slavery. Does democracy have a higher moral purpose? What can the Lincoln-Douglas debates teach us about constitutional principles and civil discourse?

How did the Battle of Saratoga shape the outcome of the Revolutionary War and of American history? In the first episode of our new Scholar Talks series, "Pivotal Battles in American History," BRI Senior Teaching Fellow Tony Williams is joined by Dr. Kevin Weddle, Professor of Military Theory and Strategy at the US Army War College and author of "The Compleat Victory: Saratoga and the American Revolution," to discuss the dramatic role the Battle of Saratoga played in the Revolutionary War. What factors led to the quick unraveling of British strategy in 1777? What was significant about the leadership of American field commanders and generals in the battlefield?

In this lesson, students will explore the role Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain played in the Battle of Gettysburg. Students will specifically learn about his actions on July 2 on Little Round Top and its significance to the Union’s overall victory in the battle.