Free Lecture - Civil War in Arizona

When the U.S. Civil War began in 1861, the Confederates were very interested in gaining control of New Mexico Territory (which included most of what we call “Arizona” today).  It was the connecting link between the Confederate state of Texas and California, which was under Union control. The Confederacy believed access to California would help them win the war as well as set them up for success as their own nation. So while the skirmish at Picacho Peak was a small encounter between traveling soldiers from both sides of the war, it represents both the great hopes of the Confederacy and the powerful forces which drove our nation into Civil War.

This lecture is part of Coconino Community College’s Summer Learning Series, which is hosting eight free lectures across June and July!