One of the reasons we study history is that there is something to learn from it. We’re now noting that traumatic landmark in American history – the beginning, 150 years ago, of the Civil War. As we recall what happened then, we’ll hopefully consider its relevance to what is happening now.What caused a rift so deep among Americans that we went to war with ourselves and 600,000-plus had to die at the hands of their brothers? What parallels, if any, might we draw from that tragic time that will help us understand the troubled and deeply divided America in which we live today?

Last week, President Obama spoke at George Washington University to share his vision on how to deal with the nation’s fiscal crisis.