The growing, already possibly unbridgeable divisions in American society today have deep parallels with the pre-Civil War society of our forefathers. The lack of tolerance, open hostility between factions, and propensity to violence erupted into the first American Civil War during the 1860's. Can it happen again? Might we be on the brink of a second American Civil War? It's possible. It most likely won't be along the same lines as the first, with formal armies and battlefields and rival governments. It'll be more like the conflict in "Bleeding Kansas", where pro- and anti-slavery militias waged internecine warfare on their neighbors, butchering in the name of their beliefs and causing chaos and misery that lasted for generations.
One of the best depictions of the Kansas conflict is Ang Lee's 1999 film "Ride With The Devil". Most unusually, it's available on YouTube at present, although how long it remains there is unpredictable - most such movies get taken down by copyright claims in short order. Until then, here it is. (If it gets taken down, I think it's worth viewing it on streaming media or even buying your own copy.)
I recommend taking the time to watch this movie, and think about the social division and hatred it portrays. I'm seeing far too much of the same thing these days to be complacent about it. I genuinely fear we may see something similar before too long, although probably in a different way to the Civil War era. I won't be surprised to see vigilante gangs "punishing" those among them who don't see things the same way, just as gangs of Border Ruffians and Free-Staters "punished" the communities of western Missouri and Kansas. (The infamous John Brown was an ally of the Free-Staters.)
God forbid we should see such hatred spill over into violence again.
Peter
14 comments:
Peter, great recommendation! This is an outstanding movie ... and a provocative look at the loss of creature comforts AND relationships when immovable object meets irresistible force. Some have been sincerely asking, "What was it really like back then?" I am confident (though regretful) that we're going to find out. American civilization was nice, for all its shortcomings. I will miss it.
Yes excellent movie, gives a real feel for the times. The American Revolution was the one case that didn't end up with the resulting government being worse that the one that was overthrown.I do not believe we will be as lucky again.
As far as the plight of the residents of Gaza, most have wholeheartedly supported Hamas' goals, there is a price coming due for that and my sympathy for them is quite limited.
Two things.
"The Outlaw Jose Wales" (book and movie) deal with this very issue. The whole struggle with the Redboots is the predominant theme of Jose Wales.
And, in respect to the American Revolution, it wouldn't have worked if France and Spain weren't busy stirring up things in and around Europe and keeping the English Navy and Army busy.
Which is something our military 'betters' need to remember. Fighting a two-front war is a bloody and difficult thing to do. Moreso when you've gotten rid of your industrial capacity, which is the only thing that allowed America to survive and win in WWII.
That is one of my favorite movies, right up there with "The 13th Warrior".
Curiously enough, I have just finished writing a historical novel dealing with this very thing; the angers and issues which led to the Civil War, and the furies that it unleased. It's been quite the ride lately, reading the news blogs and then going back and reading memoirs and accounts of how events and causes build up to the outbreak of war ... a war which split families and communities.
One of my coworkers was an extra in that movie. I need to watch it again.
I just finished watching. Good movie.
As for vigilantism coming in our time, I have long said what's coming will be like the French Revolution. However the roles, which we already see, they'll be turned topsy turvy as infighting, complete lack of trust, and general blood lust take leading roles. One's humanity will be left in the dirt.
However, there will exist a righteous hatred, if such a thing could ever exist, because of being forced to fight.
One set of my great great grandparents moved to north Texas from Missouri in the late 1800s. I have wondered if they had problems during the Civil War.
Just found this movie on Prime Video. $4 to rent
John Brown's body lies a moldering in the grave...if there's anything left to molder at this point. It would be good to leave it there.
I live in an area that was a hotbed of that period, Miami County Kansas. At one time both John Brown and William Quantrill were residents. Some scenes from that movie wre filmed about a mile from my house.
"God forbid we should see such hatred spill over into violence again."
Are you blind?
Have not watched 'ride with the devil' but '13th warrior' really is one of those movies that transports one to another time & place; excellent movie. The book it was based on, 'eaters of the dead' is a good read as well. Digging back in time to 1975 Sean Connery & Candice Bergen star in 'The Wind & the Lion". Find it, watch it. Highly recommended!
@Bob: We may have differences now, but they're nothing like the blood-rage and fury of those years. I've seen the latter in Africa, and it's nothing I ever want to see again.
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