Darker Angels: The History of Domestic Terrorism in America

This set of lectures will explore America’s long history of and tolerance for domestic terrorist organizations. Beginning with John Brown’s raids and the post-civil war Ku Klux Klan to the assassins, anarchists, and bombers of the early 20th century, we will explore how their radical views linked with the society of their times. We will give special focus to the left-wing groups in the Vietnam era such as the Weather Underground and contemporary sources of violent extremism since 9/11, Columbine and Ruby Ridge with groups such as the Proud Boys, the Oath Keepers and the rather inchoate movement referred to as “antifa.”