![](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/d309abceb7be10a3ef8710367cf08771d9c49bdb/0_215_5100_3061/master/5100.jpg?width=1200&height=1200&quality=85&auto=format&fit=crop&s=415fbc5803f6d0e982e6a8621e0465a0)
The years leading up to 1861 saw polarised politics, paranoia and conspiracy theories. Sound familiar? One of the US’s foremost historians reflects on America’s Disunion – then and now
![](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/bruce-hoffman-credit-michael-lionstar.jpeg?q=w_1110,c_fill)
Opinion: Is the US on the brink of another civil war?
![](https://www.americanyawp.com/text/wp-content/uploads/print10261-1000x680.jpg)
14. The Civil War American Yawp / Feedback
![](https://cdn.britannica.com/34/70734-050-14E6268E/Union-army-volunteer-photograph-Mathew-Brady-1861.jpg?w=300&h=169&c=crop)
American Civil War, History, Summary, Dates, Causes, Map, Timeline, Battles, Significance, & Facts
![](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81Ajt+OMZnL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg)
Why America Loses Wars: Limited War and US Strategy from the Korean War to the Present: 9781108479592: Stoker, Donald: Books
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9c/Anti_Civil_War_Draft_Rioters_in_Lexington_Avenue_New_York_1863.jpg/170px-Anti_Civil_War_Draft_Rioters_in_Lexington_Avenue_New_York_1863.jpg)
American Civil War - Wikipedia
![](https://blog.newspapers.library.in.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/nypl.digitalcollections.510d47da-75ac-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99.001.w.jpg)
Civil War Hoosier State Chronicles: Indiana's Digital Newspaper Program
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f0/The_Forlorn_Hope%E2%80%94the_ship_Secession_is_on_the_breakers%2C_the_Chicago_wreckers_rushing_to_the_rescue_%28Theodore_Jones%2C_Harper%27s_Weekly%2C_October_29%2C_1864%29.jpg/220px-The_Forlorn_Hope%E2%80%94the_ship_Secession_is_on_the_breakers%2C_the_Chicago_wreckers_rushing_to_the_rescue_%28Theodore_Jones%2C_Harper%27s_Weekly%2C_October_29%2C_1864%29.jpg)
American Civil War - Wikipedia
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/ff/Thure_de_Thulstrup_-_Battle_of_Antietam.jpg/220px-Thure_de_Thulstrup_-_Battle_of_Antietam.jpg)
American Civil War - Wikipedia
![](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/6a482b2573dc9f65f1f61f6c381dd96e20165617/0_200_4141_2486/500.jpg?quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=ac01e689d7b3cc701e51c2a01dfba535)
The civil war lies on us like a sleeping dragon': America's deadly divide - and why it has returned, US news
Congressional Black Caucus Hearing on U.S. Capitol Attack
![](https://cdn.britannica.com/34/70734-050-14E6268E/Union-army-volunteer-photograph-Mathew-Brady-1861.jpg)
American Civil War, History, Summary, Dates, Causes, Map, Timeline, Battles, Significance, & Facts
![](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/e736296a02e6d95384953e54fdaa7f259feb30aa/158_398_2561_1537/master/2561.jpg?width=1200&height=900&quality=85&auto=format&fit=crop&s=0f38b13a317d6b4ef0171fb0b7853e38)
David Blight on Frederick Douglass: 'I call him beautifully human
[Meltzer, Brad, Mensch, Josh] on . *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Lincoln Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill
![](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/718y+kLZDtL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg)
The Lincoln Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill America's 16th President - And Why It Failed (Thorndike Press Large Print Popular and Narrative
![](https://image.isu.pub/181116134440-6c291074db823a3bb758e745a90fde1b/jpg/page_1_thumb_large.jpg)
Issue 30 by The Civil War Monitor - Issuu
![](https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/daecf163-63e7-454c-bcd3-05fda57575b6.a3d641b25dba24e9c59f27a4a79ef957.jpeg?odnHeight=768&odnWidth=768&odnBg=FFFFFF)
![](https://images.meesho.com/images/products/306107673/oxkve_512.webp)
![](https://www.nutritionwithjudy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Plant-Based-Diet-Junk-Foods-Plant-Based-Foods-20210131.jpg)
![](https://www.fixsupply.com/media/catalog/product/cache/31f83fc52d35f89e87f3541ed48c9ec0/p/t/ptc-bulkhead_elbow_connector.jpg)