Episode 184: David J. Silverman, Thundersticks: Firearms and the Violent Transformation of Native America

by Holly WhiteMay 1, 2018

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Early North America was a place rife with violent conflict. Between the 17th and 19th centuries we can see a lot of conflict between different Native American peoples, Native American peoples and colonists, colonists from one empire versus colonists from another empire, settlers from one state quarreling with settlers from another state, and in the 19th century, we also see strife between Americans, Canadians, and Mexicans.

Today, we’re going to explore some of the causes of the violent conflict that took place in early America by looking specifically at Native America and the ways Native Americans used guns to shape their lives and the course of North American and indigenous history.

Our guide for this exploration is David J. Silverman, a professor of history at George Washington University and the author of Thundersticks: Firearms and the Violent Transformation of Native America.

About the Show

Ben Franklin’s World is a podcast about early American history.

It is a show for people who love history and for those who want to know more about the historical people and events that have impacted and shaped our present-day world.

Each episode features a conversation with a historian who helps us shed light on important people and events in early American history.

Ben Franklin’s World is a production of the Omohundro Institute.

Episode Summary

David J. Silverman, a professor of history at George Washington University and the author of Thundersticks: Firearms and the Violent Transformation of Native America, joins us for an exploration of Native America and the ways Native Americans used guns to shape their lives and the course of North American and indigenous history.

During our investigation of Native America, David reveals information about the arrival of guns in early America and Native Americans’ interest in them; Details about Native American’s trade for guns; And, the ways Native Americans used guns to revolutionize their lives.

What You’ll Discover

The arrival of guns in North America
Native American interest in guns
Features Native Americans wanted in firearms
Native American-European/Euro-American gun trade
The Haudenosaunee relationship with guns
Why the Dutch traded firearms to Native Americans
How Haudenosaunee use of firearms impacted the lives of their neighbors
Southeastern Native Americans and firearms
Southeastern slave wars during the 17th century
Why the Southeastern slave wars turned into anti-colonial wars
Pontiac’s Rebellion
Firearms and the Nootka people
The Nootka raid on the ship Boston
Overview of how Native Americans used firearms to revolutionize their lives

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Time Warp Question

Bil would like to know, in your opinion, what might have happened if Native peoples had rejected European and American firearms and stuck with their traditional weapons, ways of war, and hunting?