Igniting the Move Toward Genocidal Violence in California’s Early Statehood

Publication Date

4-1-2025

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Journal of History

Volume

60

Issue

1

DOI

10.3138/jh-2023-0058

First Page

1

Last Page

34

Abstract

Studying the past is often thought of as the means for preventing the replication of past mistakes. When research is transformed from presenting interpretations of crimes against humanity to identifying and addressing the root causes of systemic violence that have been carried out with impunity, it can inform and improve the theories and strategies of prevention. The early history of California’s early statehood is examined using the most common risk factors to determine how the state was primed for genocide. Tensions, public rhetoric, discriminatory legislation, and impunity formed the fuel that ignited the move to genocidal violence. Scholars engaged in the historical study of genocide have much to offer to the field and practice of genocide prevention by extending the analysis of risk factors, accelerants, and triggers to conflicts that preceded the twentieth century to inform the development of better early warning systems.

Keywords

California, conflict, genocide, genocide prevention, Indigenous

Department

Sociology and Interdisciplinary Social Sciences

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