William C. Quantrill, the Father of Post-Civil War Missouri Banditry

During the American Civil War, Captain William C Quantrill commanded a band of Confederate irregulars who reeked death and destruction throughout the Missouri and Kansas borders. Tactical and technical perfection was a trademark of his organization. Prior to the war, Quantrill was a school teacher in the state of Ohio. A number of Quantrill’s men continued to hone their skillset, maintained these deviant behaviors and channeled them into post-war career banditry opportunities; e.g., James Robert Cummins, the James Brothers (Jessie and Frank), and the Younger Brothers (Cole, Bob and Jim). Just as a teacher motivates his students to adopt specific standards of academic and social behavior, did Quantrill’s pedagogical skillset propel his subordinates into deviant careers? This interdisciplinary research design employs historical context analysis, psychological evaluation of motivation in a running text, and the
application of criminological theory.

Missouri through the “Belfast Lens”

“The Troubles” of Northern Ireland have been defined as an ethno-nationalist conflict with so many moving parts and deep feelings that the conflict lasted for 30 years. The battle was political and nationalistic, ethnic and sectarian, with unionists and loyalists, Ulster Protestants and Irish Nationalists & Republicans (mostly Irish Catholics) at odds. The Troubles heated up when the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association sought to end discrimination against the Catholic nationalist minority by the Protestant unionist government. In attempting to suppress the protests law enforcement, the Royal Ulster Constabulary who were in large number Protestant, were accused of sectarianism and police brutality. Protests turn to civil disobedience, riots to counter-insurgency, and guerilla tactics to segregation. British troops were called on to keep the peace, which began a near 40-year occupation.

Come with us as we historically draw the parallels between Northern Ireland of yesteryear and Missouri (and the United States) of today – discrimination, lines in the political sand, hatred for opposing views, riots, counter-insurgency. Let us understand the potential path we travel. Could Missouri and America become the next Northern Ireland? We shall see, through the “”Belfast Lens”.