Culture Wars and Election Day Riots in the Antebellum American Midwest (1850-1855)
Description
The Antebellum American Midwest witnessed a tumultuous period marked by a fierce struggle for power and identity between Yankee populations and a growing wave of immigrants. This clash of cultures rose to a fever pitch, particularly between 1850 and 1855, in response to escalating political tensions. The culmination of this cultural war was the eruption of mass violence in the form of election day riots in major cities across the region, namely Louisville, Chicago, and St. Louis. This research project explores the underlying causes, dynamics, and consequences of these election-day riots, shedding light on their role in negotiating power and identity in the Midwestern cities during this period.
Culture Wars and Election Day Riots in the Antebellum American Midwest (1850-1855)
On Campus
The Antebellum American Midwest witnessed a tumultuous period marked by a fierce struggle for power and identity between Yankee populations and a growing wave of immigrants. This clash of cultures rose to a fever pitch, particularly between 1850 and 1855, in response to escalating political tensions. The culmination of this cultural war was the eruption of mass violence in the form of election day riots in major cities across the region, namely Louisville, Chicago, and St. Louis. This research project explores the underlying causes, dynamics, and consequences of these election-day riots, shedding light on their role in negotiating power and identity in the Midwestern cities during this period.