How Britain's Protectionist Trade Policies Created Valley Forge
The site of George Washington's famed winter encampment might not have existed without colonial-era iron regulations.
American Revolution
Writings on the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution
A collection of links to some of my previous writings on these topics, which remain relevant today.
Reflections on Juneteenth
Juneteenth celebrates a great American achievement, and a triumph for the nation's Founding principles. Also, the culture war over the holiday is lame, and hopefuly coming to an end.
The Dark Side of Alexander Hamilton
The first treasury secretary's plans would have created cartels that mainly benefited the wealthy at the expense of small competitors.
Congress Continues To Make the Tax Code Ridiculously Hard To Understand
I shouldn't have to spend so much money on an accountant every year. But I don't really have a choice.
A History of Taxpayer Revolts
Linda Upham-Bornstein's "Mr. Taxpayer versus Mr. Tax Spender" delivers an evenhanded view of American tax resistance movements.
Writings on the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution
A collection of links to some of my previous writings on these topics, which I think remain relevant today.
The Declaration of Independence Promotes Individual Liberty More than Collective Self-Determination
This is true despite claims to the contrary by some on both the left and right.
I Asked an A.I. To Help Me Launch the American Revolution
Excerpts from a dialogue with ChatGPT
Federal Safety Regulators Say 43 Percent of Tested Fireworks Are Illegal. God Bless America.
Fireworks consumption is at record levels even as fireworks injuries fall.
Adam Smith Said Colonists Should Join the British Union. Was He Serious?
Reading between the lines of The Wealth of Nations
Juneteenth Celebrates a Great American Achievement
The emerging culture war over the holiday is misguided. In reality, Juneteenth celebrates one of the greatest triumphs of America and its founding principles.
Does The 1619 Project Have Anything To Teach Us?
Two historians go head-to-head on whether the controversial New York Times project has any value.
Does the 1619 Project Have Anything To Teach Us? A Soho Forum Debate
Two historians go head-to-head on whether the controversial New York Times project has any value.
Free Immigration Is a Core American Value
Just consider the policies that the Founding Fathers embraced.
American Revolution Images Might Reveal You as a 'Violent Extremist,' Says the FBI
Instead, the feds are telling us something very revealing about themselves.
Thoughts on the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution
A compendium of some of my previous writings on these topics, which I hope remain relevant today.
America's Founders Raged Against Qualified Immunity, Trade Restrictions, and Anti-Immigrant Policies
Hey, we're still mad about those things today!
The Meaning of Juneteenth
Far from being somehow at odds with July 4 and the Declaration of Independence, Juneteenth celebrates the greatest achievement of the principles of the Revolution.
The 1619 Project Unrepentantly Pushes Junk History
Nikole Hannah-Jones' new book sidesteps scholarly critics while quietly deleting previous factual errors.
Expanding Our Understanding of the Revolution
Despite all the controversy it has courted, Woody Holton's newest book doesn't stray very far from other scholarly interpretations of the American Revolution.
Immigration and the Principles of the Declaration of Independence
The principles of the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution justify free migration rights.
Reflections on the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution
A compendium of many of my previous writings on these topics, which remain relevant today.
The Founding Fathers Thought America Was Doomed
“The fact that it hasn't ended in the past 230 years suggests that maybe [it will] last a good deal longer,” says historian Dennis C. Rasmussen, author of Fears of a Setting Sun: The Disillusionment of America's Founders
Is It Time for a Boston Tea Party for Vaccines?
Would vaccine vigilantes be justified in stealing and distributing AstraZeneca doses locked up by order of the government?
Slavery, the Declaration of Independence and Frederick Douglass' "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?"
Douglass' classic speech is an indictment of slavery, racism, and American hypocrisy - but also includes a great deal of praise of the American Revolution.
Two Reflections on the American Revolution
I recapitulate why it's important that the American Revolution was not an ethno-nationalist secession movement, and address claims that history would have taken a better course had the Revolution been defeated or never happened.
The Late Murray Rothbard Takes on the Constitution
A lost volume of American history finds the light of day.
1619 Project Fact-Checker Says The New York Times Ignored Her Objections
A history professor disputed some of Nikole Hannah-Jones's claims about slavery and the American Revolution.
The Case Against the Case Against the American Revolution
Some on both left and right argue that the American Revolution was a mistake that ultimately caused more harm than good. Here's why they're wrong.
The Universalist Principles of the Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence advocates a polity based on universal principles of liberty and equality, not ethnic nationalism. We would do well to remember those principles today.
Facebook Algorithm Flags, Removes Declaration of Independence Text as Hate Speech
The social media site has a difficult time telling the difference between white nationalist ravings and the writing of Thomas Jefferson.
How Alexander Hamilton Screwed Up America
The foreword to a new history of our controversial Founder written by Ron Paul.
Gadsden Goes Safe Space: Twitter Offers Kinder, Gentler Versions of Iconic Flag
These Gadsden flag alternatives offer cuddlier featured creatures and more polite requests to be left alone.
Was George Washington a Model Entrepreneur?
Author Edward Lengel on how Washington's business acumen shaped America.
Revisiting the U.S. Constitution
Why should libertarians celebrate the blueprint that made powerful government possible?
The DIY Flag Designs of the Early Republic
...and the Progressive Era's rather different approach to the national banner
What Libertarians Get Wrong About American History
American history is not an essentially libertarian story.
Raise a Glass: The Bill of Rights Was About Food Freedom
Congress passed the Bill of Rights 225 years ago today. Why the struggle for food freedom is at the heart of those amendments.
Tonight on The Independents: A Very Special Presidents' Day Episode
It's a Fox Business presidentapalooza.
Poll: 29 Percent Say 'Armed Revolution' May Be Necessary To Protect Liberty
The country is a tad polarized
Revolutionary War Museum Planned in Philadelphia
There is no museum in the U.S. currently dedicated primarily to the American Revolutionary War.
