Speaker Series
Stephen Hansen

Fake News, Lying Politicians, and Dirty Tricks:
Madison County on the Eve of the Presidential Election, 1860 (or 2020?)

This online presentation took place on Sunday, Sept. 13 from 2-4 p.m. It discussed the political campaign tactics and behavior of politicians and voters in Madison County leading up to the momentous presidential election of 1860. We explored how the American electoral system, frayed by uncompromising positions, heated rhetoric, and outrageous behavior, nearly collapsed. By examining political behavior in Illinois and Madison County prior to the 1860 election, we drew comparisons and marked differences with our own political behavior on the eve of the 2020 presidential election.
This program was presented by SIUE Emeritus Professor Stephen Hansen comparing presidential politics of 1860 with today proved to be both educational as well as entertaining.