Interested in history? Visit the historic Mulberry Center Church on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. to gain insight on what issues led to the start of the Civil War. Humanities Iowa presenters, Dr. Tom Morain and Dr. William Juhnke, in debate format, will take opposing positions to explore several of the contentious issues leading up to the first shots of the Civil War fired on Fort Sumter in 1861. The duo will be presenting “Point/Counterpoint: Was the Civil War Necessary?” This conflict tore the nation apart. They will seek to find the answers to many questions including:

• Was it really an “irrepressible conflict” or could bolder political proposals have averted the bloodshed that cost 600,000 Americans their lives?

• What options did Lincoln have as President-elect when South Carolina voted to secede from the Union?

• Why did each side underestimate their opponents’ determination to fight?

• Why didn’t the North let the South go its way and avoid the incredible bloodshed?

Morain and Juhnke will explore the tense political climate of 1860-1861, taking care to examine both sides of the coin. The duo have been debating this topic for three years.

“For the most part, it’s a civil debate,” said Morain. “Both of us enjoy the interaction with the public.”

The event will be held at Mulberry Center Church on Saturday at 1 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

“In today’s world, the opportunity to have civil, public discussions is a real treat,” said Morain. “When you’re talking about historical subject material, it’s a safe place where people can express their opinions on historical issues that usually aren’t quite as emotionally-charged as contemporary topics.”

Morain was director of history at Living History Farms and administrator of the State Historical Society from 1995-2001. He has authored several books on small town history and Iowa life.

“I was the director of the state historical society for five years in Des Moines. I’ve always been interested in the Civil War,” said Morain.

Morain’s primary teaching focus has been Iowa history.

A popular public speaker, Morain received the State Historical Society’s Petersen-Harlan Award in 2009, the organization’s highest honor for distinguished service. He currently teaches at Graceland University, serves as Director of Government Relations, and is assisting with the Iowa Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission. In 2002 he received the Distinguished Service Award from Humanities

Iowa.

Juhnke is professor emeritus of American History at Graceland University, retiring in 2010 after a teaching career of 35 years. Drawing on his pacifist Mennonite background, Juhnke developed and headed the Peace Studies program at Graceland in addition to his specializations in the Civil War, Reconstruction and the Civil Rights Movement.

“What’s distinctive about Bill is that his background is an Mennonite,” said Morain. “The Mennonites, as a religious denomination, have been pacifists.”

“They refuse to participate in military activity so his perspective on history has been ‘could wars have been prevented?'” said Morain. “He’s going to take the perspective of what might we have done to avoid the Civil War where 650,000 Americans were killed, North and South.”

For those concerned about hot weekend temperatures, Mulberry Center Church recently installed air conditioning at the church.