"Prelude to War: 1859-1861"-- American Public University/Harpers Ferry National Historic Park Online Course

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park and American Public University have established a partnership to offer an online 3-credit (teacher-friendly cost of $150 after $750 scholarship to first 30 teachers who sign up) course, which includes a site-based summer workshop as a component of the course for 4th through 12th grade teachers. For further information see

• http://www.studyatapu.com/harpers

From abolitionist John Brown’s execution to the outbreak of the American Civil War, national events were tumultuous and explosive during this pivotal time in American history. Brown’s ill-fated strike against enslavement of African Americans sparked talk of war, constitutional and states’ rights, and secession throughout the United States leading up to the events at Fort Sumter.