Lecture Series: The Crisis of the Union, Then and Now

Over recent years, Americans from across the political spectrum have expressed concern about increasing polarization in society. Many worry about a future where compromises are unattainable, and the hope for unity fades. Historian Connor Williams will explore how America has faced similar divides in the past, particularly in the lead-up to the Civil War.

For the past two decades, Williams, a Westport resident, has studied the 1848–1861 period, examining how uncivil politics and stark differences culminated in the greatest conflict in U.S. history: the American Civil War. The series will examine these turbulent years and how they resonate with today’s political challenges.

Key Details

• Focus on Historical and Present-Day Connections
  Williams will guide a respectful discussion on how past events connect with present political dynamics, focusing on trends and ideologies rather than modern party affiliations. Terms like "Republican" and "Democrat" will be used in their 1850s context.

• Lecturer Background
  Williams has worked extensively on Civil War history under Yale historian David Blight and the Gilder Lehrman Center for Slavery, Resistance, and Abolition. Recently, he served as Lead Historian for the U.S. Congress' Naming Commission, focusing on Confederate commemorations in the military. His upcoming book, A Promise Delivered: The Naming Commission, Nine Army Bases, and Ten True American Heroes, is slated for release in early 2025 by Macmillan.

This event is made possible by the Essex County Arts Council's Cultural Assistance Program Grant with funding from Essex County.