Speaker Series: Riots & Revolts - The 1874 Battle of Liberty Place

800 West University Parkway,Orem UT 84097

23 February, 2023

Description

"Riots & Revolts in American History: The 1874 Battle of Liberty Place," presented by Dr. Greg JacksonIt’s 1874–one decade since the Civil War. Republican William Pitt Kellogg is two years into his term as the governor of Louisiana, but the state’s Democrats are still upset about his victory. Indeed, some Democrats, particularly those participating in a self-styled militia called “the White League,” contend that the governor’s election was illegitimate. Stolen. Determined to do something about it, thousands of armed White League militiamen seize the state capitol on September 14, 1874.The Battle of Liberty Place, as this fateful day came to be called, is a largely unknown yet crucial event in US history. It complicates oversimplified political identities as we see James Longstreet, former confederate general turned ardent Republican, lead the biracial metropolitan police and state militia in defending Louisiana’s capitol. This episode of history should also give Americans today much to ponder amid claims that, outside the Civil War, our present political tensions are unprecedented.About Dr. Greg JacksonProfessor Greg Jackson is best known as the creator, host, and head writer of the highly acclaimed US history podcast, History That Doesn't Suck. He is also known for his national tours and several appearances on The History Channel and other major media outlets. This presentation is based on a chapter of his forthcoming book on the history of political strife, Cut Him to Pieces.Greg is an associate professor and senior fellow at the Center for National Security Studies and fellow in integrated studies at Utah Valley University. He earned his PhD in history from the University of Utah.______________________About Roots of KnowledgeRoots of Knowledge is a sweeping stained-glass panorama of history and human drama. The intricate details incorporated into every window represent years of painstaking research on the events and people that shaped humankind from the days of wooly mammoths and cavemen to the iPhone. Created by Holdman Studios and installed at the UVU Fulton Library in 2016, this artistic landmark comprises 80 individual panes and took 12 years to complete.For information on where to park at UVU, please visit https://www.uvu.edu/parking/visitor-parking.html.