Live at the National Constitution Center

Dana Bash on America’s Deadliest Election

Mar 25, 2025
Dana Bash dives into the violent 1872 election in Louisiana, revealing its chilling similarities to today's political climate. The discussion emphasizes the rise of populist leaders and the devastating Colfax Massacre, which underscored the suppression of Black voters. It also highlights media manipulation’s impact on elections and public trust, drawing connections between historical and current civil rights challenges. The conversation culminates in the need for historical awareness to navigate modern democracy and avert constitutional crises.
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ANECDOTE

Warmoth's Rise and Fall

  • Louisiana Governor Henry Warmoth consolidated power by changing laws to grant himself more control.
  • He exploited newly enfranchised Black voters, then betrayed them to align with segregationists.
INSIGHT

The 1872 Election and its Aftermath

  • The 1872 Louisiana election, marred by violence and fraud, resulted in two governors and legislatures.
  • The ensuing Colfax Massacre and Supreme Court's states' rights ruling paved the way for Jim Crow.
INSIGHT

Populist Authoritarianism

  • Warmoth's consolidation of power mirrors current debates about executive overreach.
  • His actions serve as a cautionary tale about populist authoritarianism.
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