Ep. 457: Civil War - Part 1: The Seeds of War
From Bear Grease by MeatEater
May 20, 2026 · 1h 2m · Season 6
About this episode
Host Clay Newcomb begins a new series on the American Civil War with historian JD Hewitt, exploring the complex issues surrounding the conflict.
Host Clay Newcomb begins a new series on the American Civil War with historian and educator, JD Hewitt, of The History Underground. Clay invites you to go on a journey to ask the question that still divides Americans more than 160 years later: What was the Civil War really about? From slavery and states’ rights to Southern identity, economic power, abolitionists, and the lasting cultural memory of the Confederacy, Clay and JD attempt to navigate one of the most complicated and emotionally charged subjects in American history with honesty and nuance. The conversation traces the roots of the conflict from the founding of America through the rise of King Cotton, the contradictions of Thomas Jefferson, the expansion of slavery westward, and the radical actions of John Brown that helped push the nation toward war. Watch Clay's Alaska Bear Hunt on YouTube Thank you to our sponsor, Tecovas . If you have comments on the show, send us a note to beargrease@themeateater.com Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram , Facebook , Twitter , Youtube , and Youtube Clips MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop Bear…
People in this episode
Host: Clay Newcomb
Guest: JD Hewitt
Topics covered
- American Civil War
- historical analysis
- slavery
- states' rights
- Southern identity
- cultural memory
- economic power
Keywords
- Civil War
- slavery
- states' rights
- Southern identity
- historical context
- John Brown
- Thomas Jefferson
Sponsors
Tecovas
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: The History Underground
Books & works: Alaska Bear Hunt
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