In 1776 the thirteen American colonies, refusing to pay unjust taxes, declared their independence from Britain. The resulting years of war became known as the American Revolution, but many of the Founding Fathers believed the real American revolution was not the war with Britain but the revolution in ideas that had preceded and caused the war. From 1760 to 1775, many Americans were transformed from loyal British subjects into rebels. Together, the thirteen colonies set out to create something new: a government that derived its just authority from the consent of the governed.
To understand this unparalleled event, it is necessary to examine the character and ideas of eighteenth-century Americans, such as the vision that caused them to rebel and how faithfully they followed it.
The United States at War series is a collection of presentations that review the political, economic, and social tensions that have erupted in military conflict. They describe the historical context for each of the major US wars and examine how military conflict resolved, or failed to resolve, the issues that underlay them.
Edited by Wendy McElroy: Produced by Pat Childs
First published in 1776, this work is the classic statement of economic liberalism or the policy of laissez-faire. Several fundamental principles or "axioms" were introduced in this work, including the division of labor, supply-and-demand, and free market capitalism as some of the most obvious. Smith's political economy is primarily individualistic: self-interest is the incentive for economic action. However, he shows that universal pursuit of self-interest contributes to the public interest, a concept probably best encapsulated by John F. Kennedy when he remarked, "a rising tide raises all boats."
“Edwards enunciates with unusual clarity, which helps with a book published in 1776.” —Talking Book Review
First published in 1776, this work is the classic statement of economic liberalism or the policy of laissez-faire. Several fundamental principles or "axioms" were introduced in this work, including the division of labor, supply-and-demand, and free market capitalism as some of the most obvious. Smith's political economy is primarily individualistic: self-interest is the incentive for economic action. However, he shows that universal pursuit of self-interest contributes to the public interest, a concept probably best encapsulated by John F. Kennedy when he remarked, "a rising tide raises all boats."
“Edwards enunciates with unusual clarity, which helps with a book published in 1776.” —Talking Book Review
The United States Constitution established both a strong central power and protected states’ rights. But to say that something is of two parts is not to say that the parts are equal. Advocates of state sovereignty believed the Constitution created an executive power that was so strong it might as well have been a monarchy, while advocates of national government felt that a strong executive was essential to steer America through crisis. Between these two positions, the living body of the Constitution was sculpted.
Over and over, the delegates to the Philadelphia Convention clashed and compromised. Slavery, a bill of rights, legislative representation—all the battles over these issues are enshrined in the language of the Constitution. To fully appreciate the Constitution, it is necessary to understand the questions it sought to resolve.
This presentation discusses the life of John Locke, the evolution of his ideas, and the political conflicts in 17th Century England which led to the writing of Two Treatises of Government. The famous Second Treatise - which contains Locke’s central ideas on rights, government, and revolution-is examined in detail. Special attention is given to Locke’s theory of private property, which has influenced law and government for over two centuries.
In 1783, America emerged from a long and bitter war for Independence. The 13 colonies were now 13 sovereign states, bound together by the Articles of Confederation. After years of war, men like Thomas Jefferson saw the possibility of something new under the sun. . .a government which derived its just power from the consent of those governed. But America was in crisis. The Continental Congress was bankrupt and could not pay off its huge war debts. Many of the 13 states refused to contribute money, or to cooperate with each other. What was the solution? Should the United States become a league of sovereign states, or one country under a national government? In May, 1787, delegates gathered in Philadelphia to attend a convention. The delegates read like an honor roll of American history. After more than three months of passionate debate, conflict and compromise, the United States Constitution was passed, establishing a national government. But to become the law of the land, the Constitution had to be independently ratified by at least 9 of the 13 states.
In 1764, Britain imposed the first of several taxes with the Sugar Act. This was followed by the Stamp Act and the Townshend Revenue Act. In 1773, the Seven Years War with France had made Britain the greatest power on earth. But the war had doubled her national debt; interest payments alone consumed 5/8ths of Britain's annual budget. To ease this burden, Britain made a fateful blunder-she decided to impose and enforce taxes upon the American colonies. In 1776, the thirteen American colonies – refusing to pay unjust taxes – declared their independence from Britain. The resulting years of war are called the American Revolution. On October 19, 1781, Lord Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown. The thirteen colonies had won the war. The colonies would now become the United States of America; but their conflicts with Britain were not over. Together, the thirteen colonies set out to create something new under the sun: a government that derived its just authority from the consent of the governed. To understand this unparalleled event, it is necessary to explore the character and ideas of the 18th Century Americans. Many founding fathers believed the real American Revolution was not war with Britain, but the revolution in ideas that preceded and caused the war. From 1760 to 1775, in the course of fifteen years, many Americans were transformed from loyal subjects into rebels against Britain. What vision caused them to rebel? How faithfully did they follow it?
The Prince - Machiavelli wrote The Prince for his ruler as a guide for gaining and keeping power. Central themes of his essay are the relation between politics and ethics; what the best form of government consists of; the importance of the Church; and the growth of Italy as a nation-state. The word "Machiavellian" often suggests sinister motives, but some scholars question this traditional interpretation. Discourse on Voluntary Servitude - Boetie, an unfamiliar figure in modern times, lived in 16th Century France during the birth of the nation-state, the rise of absolute monarchy, and intense religious and civil wars. He examines the psychology of political obedience; the structure and specific mechanisms of state authority; the motives of those who obey and those who command; and the phenomenon of obedience in the absence of force.
Reflections on the Revolution in France is a slashing attack on the French Revolution by one of Britain's most famous statesmen. Liberty and social order, Burke argues, are maintained by the traditional rights and duties embedded in custom and law. And when these traditions are overthrown in revolutions, society is threatened with chaos, bloodshed and despotism. Rights of Man - Thomas Paine believed the French Revolution was based on the same principles as the American Revolution: natural rights, an implied "social contract", and the right of revolution against oppressive governments. Paine, unlike Burke, sees government as the primary threat to social order. He has little regard for traditional institutions, if those institutions are oppressive and unjust.
This presentation explores the social and political turmoil during which Leviathan was written, including an examination of the radical political philosophies spawned by opposition to the Stuart monarchy in England. It explains the materialistic foundation of Hobbes' philosophy and how this influenced his theory of man, society, and government. Special attention is paid to Hobbes' theory of the "state of nature", the social contract, and the governmental sovereignty. The right of resistance against unjust laws and the right to liberty of conscience also are discussed.
On Liberty - John Stuart Mill advocated individual liberty based on a philosophical concept called utilitarianism, or "the greatest happiness for the greater number." This intellectual tradition rejects natural rights, such as those in Jefferson's Declaration of Independence. Despite beginning with a different theoretical foundation than natural rights proponents, Mill reaches a similar conclusion-that diversity in individual thought and action ultimately benefits society. Vindication of the Rights of Woman examines the tumultuous life of Mary Wollstonecraft and the social conditions against which she struggled. It explores her call for female independence against the backdrop of 18th Century England, the French Revolution, and the changing role of women. Mary Wollstonecraftt lived the life she advocated, defying accepted customs for female employment, marriage, and family life.
The US Constitution was approved by the Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787. It was to become law only if it was ratified by nine of the thirteen states. New York was a key state, but it contained strong forces opposing the Constitution. A series of eighty-five letters appeared in New York City newspapers between October 1787 and August 1788 urging support for the Constitution. These letters remain the first and most authoritative commentary on the American concept of federal government. Later known as The Federalist Papers, they were published under the pseudonym 'Publius,' although written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay. This presentation explores the major arguments contained in The Federalist Papers and contrasts them with the views of the Anti-Federalists.
