The Hatfields and McCoys

The Hatfields and McCoys were two prominent Appalachian families involved in a prolonged feud in the late 1800s along the Kentucky-West Virginia border. Originating over a personal and property dispute, their animosity escalated into violent confrontations, involving assaults, vendettas, and deaths, lasting for decades. The conflict symbolized broader rural tensions and struggles over land and honor. Their feud has become a legendary example of family rivalry and conflict in American history, highlighted in books, movies, and a popular TV miniseries, illustrating how longstanding disputes can escalate into deep-seated and complex confrontations.