The Civil War Monitor

Railroads Oct 23, 2025

Civil War Breakthroughs is a podcast that explores how the inventions, ideas, and innovations of the Civil War era defined a new kind of conflict. In our first season, The Technological War, we'll explore the technologies and concepts that brought the conflict into the modern age.

On this episode, we're joined by Scott Huffard, a professor of history at Lees-McRae College and author of Engines of Redemption: Railroads and the Reconstruction of Capitalism in the New South. He talks about how railroads became the engine of the Civil War, transforming everything from logistics to troop movements.

Wartime Industry Oct 16, 2025

Civil War Breakthroughs is a podcast that explores how the inventions, ideas, and innovations of the Civil War era defined a new kind of conflict. In our first season, The Technological War, we'll explore the technologies and concepts that brought the conflict into the modern age.

On this episode, we're joined by Nathan Madison, a historian, researcher, documentary producer/consultant, and author of Tredegar Iron Works: Richmond’s Foundry on the James. He talks about the crucial role played by northern and southern industries during the conflict, with a focus on how Richmond’s Tredegar Iron Works fueled the Confederate war effort.

The Naval War Oct 09, 2025

Civil War Breakthroughs is a podcast that explores how the inventions, ideas, and innovations of the Civil War era defined a new kind of conflict. In our first season, The Technological War, we'll explore the technologies and concepts that brought the conflict into the modern age.

On this episode, we're joined by Gordon Calhoun, a historian at the Naval History and Heritage Command in Washington, D.C. He talks about the pioneering developments in naval warfare that occurred during the Civil War, from the rise of ironclads to the birth of the submarine.

Ammunition Oct 02, 2025

Civil War Breakthroughs is a podcast that explores how the inventions, ideas, and innovations of the Civil War era defined a new kind of conflict. In our first season, The Technological War, we'll explore the technologies and concepts that brought the conflict into the modern age.

On this episode, we're joined by Jonathan Noyalas, professor of history and director of the McCormick Civil War Institute at Shenandoah University. He talks about the significance and impact of several key advances in Civil War era ammunition.

The Civil War Monitor presents Civil War Breakthroughs Sep 29, 2025

A new network of wires and tracks changed the way a war was fought. On the seas, the age of sail gave way to the age of iron and steam. And on the home front, the camera transformed the way a nation saw conflict.

I’m Terry Johnston, publisher and editor-in-chief of The Civil War Monitor. The Civil War is a story of courage and conflict, but it is also the story of a nation that underwent profound and lasting change. While much has been written about the battles and leaders, we believe the pivotal innovations of the era are just as important.

Welcome to Civil War Breakthroughs, a new podcast series that explores how the inventions, ideas, and innovations of the era defined a new kind of conflict. In our first season, The Technological War, we'll explore the technologies and concepts that brought the conflict into the modern age. We’ll delve into the role of railroads as the engine of the war; the telegraph’s revolution of battlefield communication; the rise of the ironclad and submarine; the critical role played by industry; and the power of photography in shaping public opinion.

Civil War Breakthroughs premieres October 2. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. I hope you'll join us.

Postwar Drug Addiction Aug 12, 2025