#251 - Civil War, Comanche Terror, Ku Klux Klan & America's Most Violent Era | Tore Olsson
Jul 25, 2024
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Historian Tore Olsson dives into America's violent past post-Civil War, discussing Native American wars, Lincoln's views on slavery, the KKK's rise and fall, and the debate over Confederate statues. The episode delves into complex topics like Jim Crow laws, guerrilla warfare tactics, Nathan Bedford Forrest, and the potential for another civil war.
Red Dead Redemption 2 serves as an educational tool to explore historical violence.
Confederacy's true motive was to preserve slavery, not states' rights.
Nathan Bedford Forrest profited immensely from slave trading before joining the KKK.
US income inequality fluctuated historically, contrasting with the present trend.
US-Mexico history explores citizenship rules, racial dynamics, and immigration influences.
Deep dives
Historian's Journey through Video Games to Teach American History
Tori Olson, a history professor, shares his journey from enjoying video games in the 1990s to reconnecting with them during the pandemic. Playing Red Dead Redemption 2 led him to develop a class that uses the game's fictional world to explore the genuine dilemmas of violence in the United States during the crucial 1870-1920 period.
Power of Red Dead Redemption 2 in Educating American History
Red Dead Redemption 2, a blockbuster video game, introduces serious historical topics like the women's suffrage movement and expansion of major corporations. While not an educational tool in itself, the game ignites curiosity and enthusiasm in millions of players, making it a useful resource to engage with complex historical dilemmas.
Impact of the Video Game Industry and Red Dead Redemption 2 Sales
Red Dead Redemption 2's massive success during its release illustrates the significant growth of the video game industry. The game's popularity and sales demonstrate its reach to over 61 million copies sold, impacting a global audience and highlighting the growth and influence of video games in today's entertainment landscape.
Debunking the Myth of the Confederacy and States' Rights vs. Slavery
Examining the mythical narrative of 'states' rights' as the key cause of the Confederacy, it is revealed that the true motivation was to preserve the future of slavery. White Southerners during the Civil War selectively promoted states' rights to rationalize their defeat and uphold white supremacy, a narrative debunked through historical documents and analysis of pre- and post-Civil War Southern society.
Nathan Bedford Forrest: From Slave Trader to Confederate General
Nathan Bedford Forrest, a notorious figure in the Civil War, started as a humble individual who became the most profitable slave trader in Memphis before the war. Profiting immensely from selling enslaved individuals, he rose to extreme wealth, earning around $100,000 a year in the 1850s. The value of enslaved people was the wealthiest asset in the South before the war, enriching individuals like Forrest who transferred enslaved people from the East to booming regions in the South.
Fort Pillow Massacre by Forrest: A Brutal Act of Violence
In a significant event during the Civil War, Nathan Bedford Forrest led an assault on Fort Pillow in 1864, where mainly African American troops were stationed. Despite the troop's surrender, Forrest ordered a massacre, executing approximately 150 soldiers. This brutal act aimed to instill fear and discourage black individuals from supporting the Union. However, the atrocity backfired, serving as a rallying cry for black enlistment in the Army.
Legacy and Controversy: Forrest's Post-War Influence
Following the war, Nathan Bedford Forrest's influence extended to becoming the first leader of the newly formed Ku Klux Klan in 1867. His involvement in the Confederate cause, slave trading, and Klan leadership highlight his dark legacy. His statues and legacy faced scrutiny, with movements to remove his commemorations due to his association with racism and violence, sparking debates on preserving or erasing historical figures with problematic pasts.
Income Inequality in the US
Income inequality in the US, particularly comparing the late 19th century Gilded Age with the present, is highlighted. The podcast delves into the wealth disparities, mentioning historical fluctuations in income inequality. It also discusses the impact of government programs and unionization in reducing income inequality during the 20th century, contrasting it with the increasing trend since the 1960s.
US-Mexico Relations and Immigration
The podcast explores the intertwined history between the US and Mexico, including the Mexican-American War. It explains the US acquisition of Mexican territory and the subsequent obligations to grant US citizenship to former Mexican residents. Furthermore, it delves into how US policies, such as the Bracero Program, influenced Mexican immigration to the US and the complex racial dynamics that shaped citizenship rules.
US-Mexico Relations and Immigration
The podcast delves into the social construct of race, emphasizing its implications in American history. It challenges the idea of race as a biological certainty and highlights how games like Red Dead Redemption 2 can prompt reflections on societal issues like white supremacy. Additionally, it touches upon the educational potential of video games in facilitating a deeper understanding of complex societal structures.
Tore Olsson is a historian of the United States since the Civil War. His most recent book, Red Dead’s History: A Video Game, an Obsession, and America’s Violent Past highlights is an exploration of American violence between 1870 and 1920.
