Lincoln, Liberty, Reconstruction, and the Supreme Court

Deferring Justice

Join Clemson professor and author Vernon Burton to explore Lincoln’s impact on liberty, the triumphs and failures of Reconstruction, and the Supreme Court’s role in shaping post-Civil War America.

Reconstruction is often called the most misunderstood and most progressive period in American history. Join Vernon Burton, Clemson University professor, director of the Clemson CyberInstitute, and author of Justice Deferred, for an enlightening discussion on this critical era.

Abraham Lincoln's vision of liberty reshaped the U.S. Constitution and laid the foundation for reconstructing the former Confederacy. However, in South Carolina and much of the South, Reconstruction ended not through democratic elections but through violent coups. Despite the promise of progress, the U.S. Supreme Court played a significant role in undermining the idealism of the Civil War's aftermath, delaying justice for decades.

Don’t miss this opportunity to dive into the complex legacy of Lincoln, Liberty, and Reconstruction—and learn why this era remains vital to understanding American history today.