Raw History (Page 2)

The Powers of Congress, Tyranny, and an Armed Population: Concerns Answered by Mr. Sedgwick, Massachusetts Convention.

The Powers of Congress, Tyranny, and an Armed Population: Concerns Answered by Mr. Sedgwick, Massachusetts Convention.

It was, he said, a chimerical idea to suppose that a country like this could ever be enslaved.

Debating the Constitution: Symmes v. Bowdoin--From the Massachusetts Ratifying Convention

Debating the Constitution: Symmes v. Bowdoin--From the Massachusetts Ratifying Convention

I observe, sir, that many men, who, within a few years past, were strenuous opposers of an augmentation of the power of Congress, are now the warmest advocates of power so large as not to admit of a comparison with those which they opposed.

A Plot For Monarchy: From the Works of Thomas Jefferson.

A Plot For Monarchy: From the Works of Thomas Jefferson.

Delegates in different places had actually had consultations on the subject of seizing on the powers of a government & establishing them by force, had corresponded with one another, and had sent a deputy to Genl. Washington to solicit his co-operation. He calculated too well to join them.

Thomas Jefferson & Aaron Burr: An Interesting Anecdote.

Thomas Jefferson & Aaron Burr: An Interesting Anecdote.

I . . . should never go into the office of President by capitulation, nor with my hands tied by any conditions which should hinder me from pursing the measures which I should deem for the public good.

Ideological Unity & Communism: Thoughts by Milovan Djilas

Political Philosophy

Ideological Unity & Communism: Thoughts by Milovan Djilas

Once ideological unity is established, it operates as powerfully as prejudice.

Conclusions About Josef Stalin: Thoughts by Milovan Djilas

General Interest

Conclusions About Josef Stalin: Thoughts by Milovan Djilas

"At the time I was still capable of believing that I could be a Communist and remain a free man." --Milovan Djilas

Agricola's Conquest of Britain by Tacitus: A.D. 98

Classic Civilizations

Agricola's Conquest of Britain by Tacitus: A.D. 98

Roman historian, Tacitus, authored five works: Agricola was the earliest. Incidentally, Agricola was Tacitus's father-in-law. Of interest here is the way in which the Romans used both force and culture to enslave the Britons. This post is a bit lengthy, but worth the read as it will give one much

The Rise of the Romans v. the Decline of the Carthaginians: Thoughts by Montesquieu.

Classic Civilizations

The Rise of the Romans v. the Decline of the Carthaginians: Thoughts by Montesquieu.

In his work, Considerations on the Causes of the Greatness of the Romans and their Decline, Montesquieu had some interesting thoughts about the elements that make a people either powerful or weak. From Montesquieu's analysis, one can ferret out some timeless considerations on the strengths and weaknesses of society, causes

Thomas Jefferson on the Construction of History: From "The Anas," 1791--1806.

Thomas Jefferson on the Construction of History: From "The Anas," 1791--1806.

In this excerpt, Jefferson is writing about the notes he would take on “loose scraps of paper” when he served in the Washington administration. He wrote further: These scraps therefore, ragged, rubbed, & scribbled as they were, I had bound with the others by a binder who came into my cabinet,

Luther Martin Defends Elbridge Gerry: January 1788

Luther Martin Defends Elbridge Gerry: January 1788

It's easy to get the impression that the Constitutional Convention was a harmonious venture; however, there was actually a lot of angst and anger at times. For instance, Robert Yates and John Lansing, delegates from New York, left the convention and actively fought against ratification. Other members, like Col. Mason

Intellectual Combustion: Ideology and Federalism in America Today

Intellectual Combustion: Ideology and Federalism in America Today

Thoughts by August Glen-James Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860) wrote that “Life is known to be a process of combustion; intellect is the light produced by this process.” An interesting metaphor, to be sure, but metaphors can be tricky. Often, some points, premises, or conclusions don’t tuck neatly under a metaphorical

Six Innovations on the Road to the American Revolution: Innovation 6: The Right of Revolution

Six Innovations on the Road to the American Revolution: Innovation 6: The Right of Revolution

By August Glen-James After running the gamut of innovations from denying a king’s divine right to rule, redefining the purpose of government, denying the supremacy of the Mother Country, invoking the rights of self-government, and denying the validity of “virtual representation,” the American colonists finalized their revolution: They not

Six Innovations on the Road to the American Revolution: Innovation 5--Distinguishing between Representation and Virtual Representation.

Six Innovations on the Road to the American Revolution: Innovation 5--Distinguishing between Representation and Virtual Representation.

By August Glen-James Because they were not represented in Parliament, Americans denied the legality and constitutionality of British colonial taxation policies that emerged after the French and Indian War. Parliament had no right either to tax the colonies or to legislate for them generally. Great Britain’s government, however, formulated

Six Innovations on the Road to the American Revolution: Innovation 4--Taxation, Representation, and Self-government.

Six Innovations on the Road to the American Revolution: Innovation 4--Taxation, Representation, and Self-government.

By: August Glen-James The French and Indian War changed the relationship between England and her North American colonies. Victory over the French and her native allies was expensive. Consequently, the British, believing their colonies benefitted from the war, asserted that they should help pay the massive war debt. The colonies

Six Innovations on the Road to the American Revolution: Innovation 3--Defining the Relationship of the Mother Country to the Colonies. Thoughts by August Glen-James

Six Innovations on the Road to the American Revolution: Innovation 3--Defining the Relationship of the Mother Country to the Colonies. Thoughts by August Glen-James

Under the economic theory of mercantilism, colonies were subordinate to their Mother Country. Colonies existed primarily to enrich the Mother Country by providing raw materials for manufacturing and serve as a ready market for her commerce. American revolutionaries denied this doctrine. Here are some leading thinkers of the American Revolution

Six Innovations on the Road to Revolution: Innovation 2--Minimalist Government. Thoughts by August Glen-James

Six Innovations on the Road to Revolution: Innovation 2--Minimalist Government. Thoughts by August Glen-James

Despite living in an age of monarchical governments with all its pomp and ceremony, size and power, Englishmen and their “country cousins” in America were notorious throughout the Western world for their “insubordination, their insolence, [and] their stubborn unwillingness to be governed.”[1] While professing their loyalty to the crown,

Six Innovations on the Road to the Revolution: Innovation 1--Putting Kings in their Proper Place. Thoughts by August Glen-James

Six Innovations on the Road to the Revolution: Innovation 1--Putting Kings in their Proper Place. Thoughts by August Glen-James

It was widely held in monarchical Europe that God had chosen certain people to rule nations. Known as the divine right of kings, this political doctrine defended monarchical absolutism by asserting that kings, having derived their authority from God, could not, as a consequence, be held accountable for their actions

Why Civilizations Fail: Editorial Thoughts by August Glen-James

Why Civilizations Fail: Editorial Thoughts by August Glen-James

“History,” wrote Edward Gibbon, “undertakes to record the transactions of the past for the instruction of future ages.”[1] Gibbon well apprehended this task having penned a six-volume tome entitled The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire comprising more than 1200 pages. Deciphering historical lessons, therefore, is no easy

Thomas Jefferson, 1823

Thomas Jefferson, 1823

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, 1749-1832

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, 1749-1832

Reading and Thinking: Thoughts by Arthur Schopenhauer, 19th Century

Reading and Thinking: Thoughts by Arthur Schopenhauer, 19th Century

This post offers some interesting ideas from the German philosopher, Arthur Schopenhauer, about the nexus between reading and thinking. The piece speaks for itself. Enjoy. August Glen-James, editor . . . the surest way of never having any thoughts of your own is to pick up a book every time you have a

The Demands of the Socialist Parties: Analysis by Igor Shafarevich.

General Interest

The Demands of the Socialist Parties: Analysis by Igor Shafarevich.

For many people, political parties, are an embarrassing malady of society akin to hemorrhoids for a person. But why do political parties even exist? James Madison observed that "As long as the reason of man continues fallible, and he is at liberty to exercise it, different opinions will be formed.

George Orwell on the Press

George Orwell on the Press

Henry David Thoreau, 1849

Henry David Thoreau, 1849

The Common Threads of Socialism: Thoughts by Igor Shafarevich.

Political Philosophy

The Common Threads of Socialism: Thoughts by Igor Shafarevich.

Igor Shafarevich (1923-2017) was a gifted Russian mathematician and Soviet dissident. He associated with some notable "trouble makers" in the USSR, like novelist Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. One of Shafarevich's students, Ilya Piatetski-Shapiro, revealed that the math savant disliked the October Revoloution and had "negative feelings for Communism." Though he felt political