The inspiration was the famous painting by Eugène Delacroix `Liberty Leading the People`.
The symphony`s music combines elements of American folklore jazz syncopations and the influence of great contemporaries - Prokofiev especially his 5th Symphony Shostakovich and Stravinsky.
In Antheil`s own words he sought to embody in music the emotions evoked by `the smoke of battle courage and despair marching into the future.`

1. Allegro molto marcato includes quotes from the Civil War song `The Battle Cry of Freedom`
2. Larghetto
3. Allegro