Lincoln and Civil War scholars debated why the Civil War didn’t end in 1861, the year that it began. They discussed why the numerous advantages of the Union did not bring the war to a swift conclusion. Topics included divided loyalties, military traditions, governmental organization, constitutional law, and the exercise of presidential power. The panelists also responded to questions from members of the audience. Harold Holzer moderated. 
“Why Didn’t the War End in 1861?” was a program at the 16th annual Lincoln Forum Symposium, held November 18, 2011, at the Wyndham Hotel in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. "Lincoln and the Home Front: The Civil War Comes to Washington" was the second year of a five-year focus on the Civil War sesquicentennial.