A new American civil war

Great topic for Oxbridge and/or using the Harkness Method

I've made quite a few entries on this site about the dangers of increased polarisation in the United States. And the attempted assassination attempt on Donald Trump seems to fit with the discourse that increasing division in the United States that it could give rise to serious conflict.

Channel 4 News posted this...

Questions on the video as a starter activity
1. How are Civil War reenactments viewed in today's America, and what purpose do they serve?
2. What concerns have arisen regarding the political divisions in America, and why do some fear that violence may be inevitable?
3. Describe the incident involving a 20-year-old man attempting to shoot Donald Trump during a rally in Pennsylvania.
4. How has the attack on Trump affected Mary Wroniak's perspective on the combination of guns and anger in American society?
5. What is the general sentiment among Americans regarding the current state of politics, democracy, and the potential for violence?
6. How does Steve Clark from Virginia perceive the growing gap between those on the right and left politically, and what concerns does he express?
7. In what way does historian Caroline Janney draw parallels between the rhetoric and tensions of the past Civil War era and the present political climate in America?

Correct answers:
1. Civil War reenactments are seen as a form of collective therapy to work through the trauma of the past event. They provide participants with an opportunity to engage with history and potentially prevent its repetition.
2. Concerns have been raised about the deepening political divide in America, with some fearing that it may lead to violence once again. One in five Americans believe that violence might be necessary to address the country's issues.
3. A 20-year-old man attempted to shoot Donald Trump using an AR-15 style rifle during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Despite the attack, Trump emerged unharmed and defiantly gestured "fight" to his supporters.
4. The attack on Trump has reinforced Mary Wroniak's belief that the combination of guns and heightened emotions in society could escalate into violence. She finds the ready access to guns and strong emotions on both sides disturbing and frightening.
5. Many Americans feel that the current political climate is more divisive than ever before, with both parties viewing the other side's victory as a threat to democracy itself. This has led to increased rhetoric, visceral rage, and fears of potential violence.
6. Steve Clark expresses concern over the vast gap between those on the right and left politically, making it challenging to find common ground or understanding. He worries that this lack of communication could lead to further division and potentially conflict.
7. Historian Caroline Janney sees parallels between the rhetoric and tensions of the past Civil War era and the current political situation in America. She fears that Americans may take democracy for granted and assume that elections will proceed smoothly without considering the potential for unrest or rejection of results.

Links to previous entries with more videos, ideas for dicussion, and how to employ the Harkness Method can be found via this link and then within that posting, links to previous entries here.