The Sound and Fury: Controversial Presidential Elections 10.13.2016

Throughout the history of the United States, there have been several points at which an upcoming presidential election became a hotly contested battle that appeared to be a critical turning point for the future of our country. This course will provide an in-depth discussion of these elections. In each case, both sides predicted doom for the nation if their opposition won, and yet the nation survived. In the case of the 1860 election of Abraham Lincoln, a civil war had to be fought to keep the country together, but when it was reunited, the nation had ended slavery and went forward to become a world leader. The class will examine the candidates, the electorate, the issues, and the outcomes of these elections.

Talk by Davidson County historian Carole Bucy