Early North America was a place rife with violent conflict. Between the 17th and 19th centuries we see a lot of conflict between different Native American peoples, Native American peoples and colonists, colonists from one empire versus colonists from another empire, settlers from one state quarreling with settlers from another state, and in the 19th century, we also see strife between Americans, Canadians, and Mexicans.

Today, we’re going to explore some of the causes of the violent conflict that took place in early America by looking specifically at Native America and the ways Native Americans used guns to shape their lives and the course of North American colonial and indigenous history.

Our guide for this exploration is David J. Silverman, a professor of history at George Washington University and the author of Thundersticks: Firearms and the Violent Transformation of Native America.

Show Notes: https://www.benfranklinsworld.com/184

Sponsor Links

Complementary Episodes

Helpful Show Links

*Books purchased through this link will help support the production of Ben Franklin's World.

184 Thundersticks: Firearms and the Violent Transformation of Native America 56:09 Share

Ben Franklin's World

Shownotes Transcript

184 Thundersticks: Firearms and the Violent Transformation of Native America