From the Louisiana Purchase to Manifest Destiny: The American Empire and Trump
IntroductionThe Louisiana Purchase of 1803 is often seen as a big moment in the growth of the United States. With one deal, the country doubled in size, setting the stage for Manifest Destiny—the idea that Americans had the right to expand across the continent. This belief in expansion was tied to ideas of divine right […]
Title: Reagan, Iran, and the October Surprise: What You Need to Know
The Reagan administration is often celebrated for its role in ending the Cold War and championing conservative values in the 1980s, but there’s a dark chapter that rarely gets the attention it deserves: allegations that Reagan’s campaign worked behind the scenes with Iran to delay the release of American hostages in 1980. If true, this […]
Race in Brazil
I was in Cuiaba Brazil this last week and wanted to write a bit on how my first impression of Brazil based on my visit to Manaus in 2013 was less than accurate. In Manaus, I felt like I stood out like a sore thumb and people were constantly watching me as I was walking […]
Democracy in Chains – Public Choice Theory
Nancy MacLean’s Democracy in Chains argues that Public Choice Theory, as developed by James Buchanan and utilized by figures like the Koch brothers, has been strategically employed to mislead the public about its true goals. This “tricking” involves presenting libertarian policies as rational and necessary for freedom while obscuring their long-term aim to restrict democratic […]
Hamilton
Alexander Hamilton: The Life and Legacy of a Founding Father Alexander Hamilton was one of America’s most influential Founding Fathers. Born on January 11, 1757, in the West Indies, he overcame a challenging childhood, marked by poverty and the death of his parents, to become a key figure in shaping the United States. His intellect […]
3/5 Compromise
The 3/5 Compromise was an agreement made in 1787 when leaders were writing the U.S. Constitution. It decided how enslaved people would be counted for things like taxes and representation in Congress. Southern states wanted to count enslaved people in their population because it would give them more power in Congress. Northern states disagreed because […]
Leadership of FDR
Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR), the 32nd President of the United States, is widely regarded as one of the most effective and inspirational leaders in American history. His leadership traits were instrumental in guiding the nation through two of its greatest crises: the Great Depression and World War II. Here’s an analysis of FDR’s key leadership […]
Examples of battles over Federalism
The struggle between federal and centralized authority has been a central theme in political history, particularly in nations with federal systems. Here are key historical examples of battles over federalism, outlining disputes between state/regional authority and national/central authority: United States 1. The Articles of Confederation vs. U.S. Constitution (1781–1789) 2. Nullification Crisis (1832–1833) 3. The […]
British Prison Ships in Revolutionary War
The British are were no more sophisticated on the topic of human rights than anyone else in the late 1700s. During the American Revolutionary War, the British used prison ships, also known as “prison hulks,” to detain captured American soldiers, sailors, and privateers. These ships became infamous for their horrific conditions and high mortality rates. […]
Battle of Saratoga Springs in the American Revolution (simple)
The Battle of Saratoga was a very important fight during the American Revolutionary War. Here’s why it mattered: 1. Big Win for America 2. Help from France 3. Stopped the British Plan 4. A Turning Point in the War In short, the Battle of Saratoga was like the moment in a game when the underdog […]