Armchair Generals

The West, Episode 4: "Death Runs Riot: 1856 to 1868"

Monthly Civil War discussion group. Meets 2nd Tuesdays, 11:45am-1:15pm. No registration.

**SPECIAL DATE** During the 19th Century, the United States envisioned an orderly expansion into the West: treaties to legitimize settlement, surveys to map the land; then Americans would spread peacefully across it -- all under the guidance and protection of their government. But the California Gold Rush and the war with Mexico changed everything. Americans were now moving west in ever-larger numbers, ahead of their government -- searching for new treasure, clearing land, building towns and cities, starting over. The new settlers brought with them their nation's oldest, and most divisive issue -- slavery -- and the West became a breeding ground for the bloodshed that would eventually engulf the whole country. When war finally came, the result in the West was chaos: hatred consumed entire communities, criminals led armies and no one was safe. The federal government, engaged in a struggle simply to hold the country together, could do nothing to stop it. Learn more about this explosive era in American history with this film (part of a documentary series) by Stephen Ives. 

Kanopy Streaming

1 hour 25 minutes

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