Massive political corruption—omitted from the biographies of all key players—is not a “detail”.
It is central and critical to understand who they were, what motivated them and their (lack of) moral values.
If that is not valid “history” nothing is.
If it is Illinois or Italy there is no reason to dwell on it—just as we know that aspiring rappers are gonna rap—but I agree that high and mighty sons of Puritans need taking down a peg or two.
They need Deliverance.
OK. We don’t know anything at all.