Raw History (Page 7)

Trifles for Archimedes and His Machines: Archimedes's Defenses Against Marcellus

Classic Civilizations

Trifles for Archimedes and His Machines: Archimedes's Defenses Against Marcellus

Archimedes is considered to be one of the greatest, if not greatest, mathematicians of the Ancient Greek era. His mathematical genius was put to many uses in the discipline known as physics. In this selection from Plutarch, Archimedes's development of war instruments and their deployment agains Marcellus of Rome makes

Of the Republican institutions of the United States, and what their chances of duration are: Thoughts by Alexis de Tocqueville

Political Philosophy

Of the Republican institutions of the United States, and what their chances of duration are: Thoughts by Alexis de Tocqueville

The Union is an accident, which will only last as long as circumstances are favorable to its existence . . .

How Free Governments are to be framed so as to last, and how they differ from such as are arbitrary: John Trenchard, Cato’s Letters, No. 61, 13 Jan. 1721

How Free Governments are to be framed so as to last, and how they differ from such as are arbitrary: John Trenchard, Cato’s Letters, No. 61, 13 Jan. 1721

Although written with the English government in mind, this selection addresses principles that apply to all forms of government and all office seekers. Often, works like this don't necessarily reveal something unknown to the reader. Most accept the occurrence of political corruption; however, the eloquence of a gifted author's expression

An Enquiry into the Nature and Extent of Liberty: John Trenchard, 20 Jan. 1721--Cato's Letters, No. 62

An Enquiry into the Nature and Extent of Liberty: John Trenchard, 20 Jan. 1721--Cato's Letters, No. 62

Civil society arises in the nexus between principle and policy, and what that society becomes through policy seems often to reflect its principles and philosophical assumptions. This selection investigates the assumption, principle, and concept of liberty according to the thoughts of John Trenchard. In this essay, readers will find some

Amendment 2: Thoughts by C. Chauncey Burr, 1864

C Chauncey Burr

Amendment 2: Thoughts by C. Chauncey Burr, 1864

Copperhead, C. Chauncey Burr, had some interesting thoughts about the Second Amendment within the context of the Lincoln Administration. This selection reveals his take on the issue. Italics are in the original. August Glen-James, editor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > The militia is the natural defence of a free country against sudden foreign invasions,

The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States: Thoughts by C. Chauncey Burr, 1864.

C Chauncey Burr

The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States: Thoughts by C. Chauncey Burr, 1864.

One of the central themes of the Civil War was the nature of the Union. Was the Union one of a consolidated nature or was it a federation of sovereign states, each with the ability to determine, for itself, the interpretation of the Constitution and its application within its own

Thoughts on the First Amendment: C. Chauncey Burr, 1864

Thoughts on the First Amendment: C. Chauncey Burr, 1864

To those not well-read in the Civil War era, it may come as a surprise that the Lincoln administration shut down over 300 newspapers and jailed numerous people for speaking against the war or criticizing the Administration in some form or another, and a sitting congressman was even exiled during

"Common Sense" by Thomas Paine: Excerpts

"Common Sense" by Thomas Paine: Excerpts

One of the best known literary works from the Revolutionary War is Thomas Paine's Common Sense. Most know Paine by name but few, in my experience, have actually read Common Sense; consequently, this post contains a number of excerpts from the work that will at least expose readers to many

What Will Come of Re-electing Lincoln: Thoughts by C. Chauncey Burr

C Chauncey Burr

What Will Come of Re-electing Lincoln: Thoughts by C. Chauncey Burr

Written in September 1864, this selection was part of a larger piece outlining why Abraham Lincoln must be defeated in the upcoming election. Of interest is Burr's take on the sovereignty of the several states and their relationship to, and rights within the Union to self-determination. Incidentally, James Madison's quote

Raw History: Motivation, Scope, and Subject Choice

Raw History: Motivation, Scope, and Subject Choice

In my experience, what passes for historical education is often one sided (e.g., written by the "victors") or oversimplified (e.g., "no taxation without representation"). A general history education can be adequate for most people, though, if it is broadly and factually based. However, there are those for whom

The Infamous Message and Proclamation: Thoughts about Lincoln's offer of Amnesty to the South, 1864--by C. Chauncey Burr

The Infamous Message and Proclamation: Thoughts about Lincoln's offer of Amnesty to the South, 1864--by C. Chauncey Burr

In this selection, the position of the Copperheads on Lincoln's offer of amnesty to the South are outlined. The position is couched in the penumbra of the Emancipation Proclamation. Moreover, C. Chauncey Burr defines what he believes the Democratic party of the North needs to be in order to entice

"Mr. Jefferson's Opinions"

"Mr. Jefferson's Opinions"

This is extracted from a letter from Mr. Jefferson to Major Cartwright, dated June 5, 1824, from Monticello and addresses the relationship between the states and the federal government. August Glen-James, editor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > They are co-ordinate departments of one simple and integral whole. With respect to our state and federal

The Power of Citizens to Avoid Political Collapse: Thoughts by Benjamin Lincoln, Jr. 1784-1786

The Power of Citizens to Avoid Political Collapse: Thoughts by Benjamin Lincoln, Jr. 1784-1786

Benjamin Lincoln, Jr. was the son of Revolutionary War general, Benjamin Lincoln. He wrote ten essays between 1784 and 1786 on subjects that the editors of this work, referenced below the selection, believe "grew out of a conversation that Massachusetts people were having about the problem of a bicameral legislature

John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and Partisan Rivalry

John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and Partisan Rivalry

According to James Madison [https://rawhistory.com/tag/james-madison/] (Federalist No. 10), factions, i.e., political parties, as we generally understand them, are essentially a by-product of freedom. To the degree that a free people have differing opinions about policies and procedures, they coalesce into political parties. "The inference to

Observations about Hamilton and Adams: by Thomas Jefferson

Observations about Hamilton and Adams: by Thomas Jefferson

In 1811, Thomas Jefferson, writing to Dr. Benjamin Rush, has some interesting observations about Alexander Hamilton and John Adams. While serving in the Washington administration, Jefferson was asked by the President to call together the "Heads of departments, and to invite Mr. Adams" to join them in order to make

Benjamin Franklin and the Albany Plan of Union

Benjamin Franklin and the Albany Plan of Union

In July 1754, Benjamin Franklin wrote "Reasons and Motives for the Albany Plan of Union." The context was the beginning of the French and Indian War (alternatively, the Seven Years' War in Europe). The plan was ultimately rejected, which led to this remark by Franklin on February 9, 1789. August

The Principles on which the War was Waged by the North: Thoughts by Lysander Spooner

The Principles on which the War was Waged by the North: Thoughts by Lysander Spooner

Most Americans see the Civil War as a settled issue: the clash put an end to slavery, saved the Union and ensured that “government of the people, by the people, for the people” did not “perish from the earth” (from the Gettysburg Address). However, some who lived through the conflict

A NATIONAL GOVERNMENT vs. A FEDERAL UNION OF SOVEREIGN STATES: SAMUEL ADAMS TO RICHARD HENRY LEE

A NATIONAL GOVERNMENT vs. A FEDERAL UNION OF SOVEREIGN STATES: SAMUEL ADAMS TO RICHARD HENRY LEE

Most people know Samuel Adams and associate his name with either beer or the American Revolution. Fewer people, however, recognize Richard Henry Lee. Lee, from Virginia, offered the resolution for independence thus leading to the drafting of the Declaration of Independence. Both men, however, opposed the Constitution. Samuel Adams corresponded

Who Should Be Able to Vote: Thoughts by John Stuart Mill

General Interest

Who Should Be Able to Vote: Thoughts by John Stuart Mill

Universal suffrage has become common in democratically-minded nations of the West. It hasn't always been that way, of course, as access to the franchise has been qualified across time and space. Today, however, most Western countries have universal suffrage for their adult citizens. English philosopher, John Stuart Mill, had some

OBSERVATIONS ABOUT MANKIND: Arthur Schopenhauer

General Interest

OBSERVATIONS ABOUT MANKIND: Arthur Schopenhauer

German philosopher, Arthur Schopenhauer, had some fascinating thoughts about the nature and existence of man. These three selections highlight some of his most interesting views. August Glen-James, editor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > There is no absurdity so palpable that one could not fix it firmly in the head of every man on earth

SENECA ON INTERESTS AND SUBJECT MATTER

Classic Civilizations

SENECA ON INTERESTS AND SUBJECT MATTER

If you've ever wondered why two people can interpret, for instance, the same speech so differently, this quote is for you. August Glen-James, editor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > . . . deriving material for his own individual interests from identical subject-matter. "There is nothing particularly surprising about this way which everyone has of deriving material for

MORTAL FEUDS VS. INTRIGUES OF INCONSIDERABLE FACTIONS: ALEXANDER HAMILTON

MORTAL FEUDS VS. INTRIGUES OF INCONSIDERABLE FACTIONS: ALEXANDER HAMILTON

In "Federalist 16," Alexander Hamilton draws a distinction between the "intrigues of an inconsiderable faction," which can be handled by a state's magistracy, and "mortal feuds." This is a short but interesting read. August Glen-James, editor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > It is in vain to hope to guard against events too mighty for

To Make All Necessary and Proper Laws: The Federal Farmer

Anti Federalist

To Make All Necessary and Proper Laws: The Federal Farmer

In this selection, Anti-Federalist writer, The Federal Farmer, expresses concern about the so-called "Elastic Clause" and the potential of it to create an unlimited government. August Glen-James, editor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > But a congress of a different character will not be bound by the constitution to pay respect to those principles. It

A STUDIED BREVITY IN THE CONSTITUTION: THE FEDERAL FARMER

A STUDIED BREVITY IN THE CONSTITUTION: THE FEDERAL FARMER

In this post, the Anti-Federalist writer, The Federal Farmer, addressed an interesting concern that the authors of the Constitution assumed a common understanding of some principles and, therefore, did not include explanatory or specific definitions of certain items that could, perhaps, be misconstrued and abused. Here are his thoughts. August

"End of the Common Course and Condition" By William Bradford

"End of the Common Course and Condition" By William Bradford

Few people know that the Pilgrims experimented with a kind of Christian-inspired communism. In his work, History of Plimoth Plantation, William Bradford wrote about the experience. This post investigates the relevant excerpt. It's important to know that prior to the opening sentence below, Bradford was writing about the hardships the