The United States today is a divided nation and some say the country may be heading toward breakup, or possibly civil war. That has happened before and the result was disastrous. As many as 750,000 Americans perished during the Civil War. A study of the causes of our last Civil War may help to prevent another.
The Knights of the Golden Circle (KGC) played a major role in starting the Civil War in the United States. Although intended to remain a secret organization of conspirators, it is perhaps the most well-documented conspiracy in United States history. The goal of the KGC was the creation of a new society separate from the United States dedicated to the preservation and expansion of slavery into Latin America.
The KGC existed in almost every state in the Union, but nowhere was it as powerful and successful as it was in Texas. Several governors, many senators and military leaders were members, having taken an oath to support the organization and their fellow members. Most of the documents generated by the KGC were destroyed after the war ended as its members feared execution for treason.
Not everything was destroyed, though. This book relies on documents created by the organization and its members that have not previously been used by researchers. Many members of this organization remained in positions of authority in state affairs after the abolition of slavery. This book goes far beyond previous published work in establishing the identities of the members of this organization who promoted and encouraged the most disastrous war in American history.
Randolph W. Farmer is a native Texan from a family whose ancestors first came to Texas as early as 1817 when it was still a Spanish possession. He is the author of two previously published books on Texas history.
By:
Randolph W. Farmer
Imprint: Histria LLC
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions:
Height: 229mm,
Width: 152mm,
ISBN: 9781592111572
ISBN 10: 1592111572
Pages: 420
Publication Date: 03 January 2023
Audience:
Professional and scholarly
,
Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Chapter One - Beginning a Great TragedyChapter Two - Legacies and Antecedents Chapter Three - A Culture of Filibusters Chapter Four - The KGC is Formed Chapter Five - Meetings and Plans Chapter Six - The KGC Goes Public in Texas Chapter Seven - Genocide Chapter Eight - Black Republicans, Abolitionists, and Indians Chapter Nine - Indians and Abolitionists Combined! Chapter Ten - The KGC Takes Over in Texas Chapter Eleven - Building an Army and Stifling Dissent Appendix A - The KGC and the Texas Guerrillas Notes
Randolph W. Farmer is a native Texan from a family whose ancestors first came to Texas as early as 1817 when it was still a Spanish possession. He is the author of two previously published books on Texas history.
Reviews for The Knights of the Golden Circle in Texas: How A Secret Society Shaped a State
Those who do not know their history are often doomed to repeat it. Given today's American political climate, and a failed attempt at overthrowing a presidential election result on January 6, 2021, The Knights of the Golden Circle in Texas: How a Secret Society Shaped a State is more than just another history book. It is a clarion example of what can go wrong in a body politic and the lethal consequences of an imperiled democracy. A model study of exhaustive and impeccable scholarship, The Knights of the Golden Circle in Texas: How a Secret Society Shaped a State is especially recommended for community, college, and university library American History collections in general, and American Civil War studies lists in particular. --Midwest Book Review
