The American Civil War began April 12, 1861 and ended on May 9, 1865. That’s 4 years, 27 days -- or 1,488 days -- in which our nation was embroiled in controversy over the usage of slavery. The controversy was no ordinary dispute or disagreement. Instead, it was an all out war where 620,000 soldiers reportedly died from combat, accident, starvation, and disease during the Civil War. This regretful period of our nation’s history, despite its atrocities and harrowing bloodbaths, gave rise to a new era of illustrators and political satirists who used their talents to either inform the masses or help sway public opinion. This presentation, which showcases 15 Civil War-era illustrations worth noting, was researched, assembled, and written by MFA of Illustration graduate student Mayra Ruiz-McPherson.