Authors Discuss the Civil War and Civil Rights with Sixth Graders

To complement their study of American history, boys in Mr. Landesman’s sixth grade class had the chance to learn from two historical authors this week.  Topics ranged from the Civil War to the Civil Rights movement, and the boys were well-prepared with plenty of questions for both authors.  John Strausbaugh, author of City of Sedition: The History of New York City during the Civil War, visited St. B’s on Tuesday, April 18.  Christopher Crowe, author of Getting Away with Murder: The True Story of the Emmett Till Case, skyped with the sixth graders on Thursday, April 20.

Mr. Strausbaugh discussed the important role that New York City played in creating the conditions that caused the Civil War.  He described New York City’s deep ties to the South, earning the city the title of the most southern city in the North.  To explain this connection, Mr. Strausbaugh highlighted how important cotton was to the American industry in the early 1800s.  In 1860 cotton made up 60% of the United States exports and was 40% of New York’s economy.  New York banks loaned money to cotton plantations.  New York companies shipped cotton out to the rest of the world and imported goods to be sold within the United States.  The Customs House, which made money from taxes and tariffs, was also located in New York.

Mr. Strausbaugh pointed out that another connection between New York and the Civil War was the city’s unique relationship with Abraham Lincoln.  Relatively unknown at the time, Abraham Lincoln was invited to speak at Cooper Union in February of 1860.  This speech was printed in full by Horace Greeley, founder and editor of the New-York Tribune.  While New York State voted for Lincoln, the majority of people in New York City and Brooklyn did not because of their ties to the South.  Mr. Strausbaugh elaborated on the intricacies of New York City’s involvement and influence during the Civil War and enjoyed answering thoughtful questions from the boys.

Mr. Crowe’s book focuses on a moment in American history nearly 100 years later in 1955, when the kidnapping and murder of Emmett Till became an important catalyst for the Civil Rights movement.  St. B’s boys read two chapters from Mr. Crowe’s book, which focused on the event and the trial.  Mr. Crowe, who lives in Utah, skyped with the boys to answer questions the boys had after reading these selections.  Through their questions and answers, Mr. Crowe and the boys discussed how racially charged this moment was and how this case, along with other events, became an impetus for the Civil Rights Movement.

When discussing the trial, the boys tried to understand why the jurors ignored evidence.  Mr. Crowe’s book explores the mindset of the judge, who tried his best to make the trial fair.  The judge and the prosecutor fought hard for a guilty verdict, but in the end the opinions of the jurors prevailed.  In conversation with the boys, Mr. Crowe shared insights about the tactics used by lawyers on both sides, and he shared details from his two conversations with Emmett Till’s mother before she passed away in 2003.

In both conversations, St. B’s boys were engaged and interested in talking directly with these authors.  We extend our gratitude to Mr. Crowe and Mr. Strausbaugh for taking the time to talk about these important moments in American history with our boys. To learn more about the books mentioned, please click on the links below.

City of Sedition: The History of New York City during the Civil War