Americans like to think of their nation as one grounded in high-minded democratic ideals and peaceful transitions of power. In reality, though, American politics has been heavily laced with expressions of violence and intimidation since the nation’s very inception, which saw a campaign of violent rebellion against British rule. Since then, America has endured the deaths of four presidents from assassination; a four-year civil war; racist attacks on civil rights activists and ordinary citizens; deadly clashes between protesting citizens and law enforcement; sustained campaigns of violence against marginalized populations seeking greater political or economic equality; politically motivated mass shootings; and, on January 6, 2021, the shocking spectacle of a politically motivated mob attack on the U.S. Capitol.

How and why did these events transpire? What were the root causes? What factors are driving political violence and intimidation in America today? And are there changes that we could make to our country’s political discourse that would reduce such outbreaks of bloodshed? This authoritative multivolume encyclopedia provides answers to all these questions and more.

Features

• An insightful and wide-ranging introduction that includes a discussion of the fundamental characteristics of political violence to familiarize readers with basic concepts and historical trends
• Approximately 250 encyclopedia entries across topics as wide-ranging as assassinations, labor unrest, ethnic and racial violence, rioting, domestic terrorism, police brutality, racism, and social control
• A primary document collection to help readers better understand key topics and events
• A chronology of events in American history that have been marred by politically motivated bloodshed, intimidation, and repression