comparison between 1850-1861 America and today

[steve2470]

I love American history, especially the more obscure stuff. One of our long time DU posters has suggested a strong resemblance of our political era to antebellum America, politically. Specifically the polarization. I was reading, again, about that era last night, and it was quite scary how our country gradually descended into a polarized madness, especially after the 1854 Kansas-Nebraska Act.

Granted, different eras with vastly different issues. The only major issue I can see that remotely approaches antebellum America is the role of government, not even abortion reaches the potential for political violence from what I know. Thoughts ?

[bemildred]

1. That was the tragedy, this is the farce. nt

[zazen]

2. major divisions between models of cheap labor? poor whites most vehement?

I think one issue that was going on was between different visions of oligarchy--plantation faux aristocrats with violently enforced servitude in the South, and not quite so violently enforced industrial exploitation in the North by emerging moguls.

This is not to minimize the moral abomination of slavery or the sincerity of the abolitionists, but just to say that there were economics beneath all of this.

Yet some of the most stringent rhetoric came from the poor Southern whites who _didn't_ own slaves, but were afraid that they'd be displaced by slave labor if the new states allowed it.

I wonder if there are parallels here with today?

(The reality of 21st c technology, warfare, and globalization scares the bejeesus out of me--seems like our capacity to harm millions is unfathomably greater).

[RainDog]

3. The Republicans are the Whigs

splitting over support or not for slavery.

Lincoln was a Whig but left the party because of this dispute. The joined the newly-formed Republican Party, which was a northern version, while the southern Whigs joined the Democrats.

For the good of our nation, fiscal conservatives who are not social conservatives need to vote against their party or else leave it to protect this nation.

It's that important.

[Hippo_Tron]

4. This is only a temporary insanity, brought about by a poor economy

It's difficult to think rationally when you don't have any economic security. Lots of people are suffering and they want someone to blame for that. When the economy gets better, this insanity shall pass.

[davidpdx]

5. I think it is an apt comparison

But I disagree with you on violence and abortion. For a very long time anti-abortion activists have been killing people, so it has been happening. I do agree that it wouldn't be a primary reason for the start of violence, but I can see it as a secondary reason. Gun-toting, religious fanatics will believe anything they are told by the far right wing media. I think the issue of the role of government coupled with the rumors that are spreading that a) government is going to come take people out of their house; and b) Obama is going to take people's guns away is a dangerous combination. All that is needed is an ignition to the fire and boom.

[MarchemintotheSea]

6. Just look how an bunch of Gun Toting Religious Fundamentalists have been wreaking havoc

in the Middle East for a very long time now.

It is very easy to imagine a bunch of Gun Toting Religious Fundamentalists upping the numbers of murders and bombing they currently commit in the name of the Christian God.

Be they will not be called terrorists in America because they are Exercising their 2nd Amendment rights and Freedom of religion.

[davidpdx]

7. Have you seen some of the interviews with Malala?

It's interesting to hear her talk about how the Taliban came in to the area she lived and threatened people when they wouldn't agree with their beliefs. It has a familiar ring to it doesn't it?

I think at some point they are going to step over the boundary and do something that WILL be considered terrorism. I hope I'm wrong, but I just don't know these days. I live outside the US so I am safe from the religious fanatics. The bigger problem where I am (literally) is Kim Jong Un.

[Myrina]

8. The issues really aren't that different ...

... they just look different on the surface.