Category:History

October 17, 2023 | Post

Today, 62% of Americans have political views they are afraid to share. Despite the extensive legal protections for freedom of speech in America, I worry the attitude and spirit of freedom will decay despite legal guarantees. To remedy this, I believe it is important to learn about the example of Helmuth Hübener, a German teenager who defied the Nazi regime and became a martyr for freedom.

September 22, 2023 | Post

On March 6, 2021, the streets of several Portuguese cities were adorned with communist flags and other decorations. These scenes looked like they were straight out of the Soviet Union or perhaps a present-day communist country. In reality, though, we’re talking about cities like Lisbon or Porto. But why is communism still a thing in Portugal?

September 5, 2023 | Post

After its extensive development in Greece and (to a lesser extent) Rome, the notion of liberty was largely forgotten during the subsequent medieval era. During this time, a culture of intense military domination emerged, leading the European population to submit to regimes that caused a decline in both political and individual autonomy, and consigning ancient Greek democratic institutions to history.

August 3, 2023 | Post

Within the world of political spectrums, one ideology stands out for its axioms, principles, and ethics: libertarianism. It is a political philosophy based on the idea that the individual is the sole owner of oneself and therefore has the right to exercise their freedom without external interference, as long as it does not harm the freedom of others.

July 3, 2023 | Post

The American Revolution: That moment when we declared independence from Great Britain and created an unprecedented new society. While we all know the basic details, most people don’t stop to ask exactly why the Founders declared independence from a powerful empire.

June 28, 2023 | Post

Classical liberalism, with its emphasis on individual liberties and limited government intervention, has played a crucial role in advancing the rights of the LGBTQ+ community throughout history. 

By advocating for principles such as individual liberty, reason, fundamental rights, and equal treatment under the law, classical liberal ideas have challenged societal norms, fought against oppression, and paved the way for greater acceptance and inclusion.

June 19, 2023 | Post

Juneteenth has long served as an occasion to commemorate and celebrate the end of slavery in the American South. What are the key points involved in America’s newest federal holiday from a classical liberal perspective?

June 14, 2023 | Post

The French Revolution is a pivotal event in history that brought significant political and social changes to France. However, there are many longstanding misconceptions surrounding this series of events.

June 13, 2023 | Post

Alan Turing was an English mathematician, cryptanalyst, and computer scientist who played a pivotal role in deciphering intercepted enemy communications during World War II. However, Turing was later persecuted by the British state due to his homosexuality. His story epitomizes the persecution of LGBTQ+ by governments

June 8, 2023 | Post

The history of free speech in the United States is a complex and fascinating topic, deeply rooted in the nation’s founding principles. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1791, protects the right to free speech, along with freedom of religion, the press, assembly, and petition.

June 5, 2023 | Post

In this first piece of a series addressing myths about the Soviet Union, we will focus on the issues of poverty, inequality, and quality of life…

May 25, 2023 | Post

Karl Hess is a figure whose political journey was more complex and revelatory than most. His journey is one that is worth retracing today as a means of understanding the roots of contemporary libertarianism, its early flirtations with radical countercultural politics, and the outdated left-right political paradigm

May 24, 2023 | Post

In a world dominated by numbers and equations, one economist dared to challenge the status quo and unveil the true power of persuasive language. Meet Deirdre McCloskey, a visionary economist, historian, and writer whose groundbreaking ideas have reshaped the way we understand economic progress.

May 16, 2023 | Post

John Stuart Mill was born 217 years ago, on May 20, 1806, and is remembered as one of the most foundational classical liberal philosophers and political economists to this day. Here are some things that you might not have guessed about John Stuart Mill.

May 12, 2023 | Post

The right to overthrow a government remains an important principle to uphold, as it serves as a check on government power. It is a reminder that governments exist to serve the people, not the other way around. The possibility of revolution also serves as a deterrent against abuses of power and as a last resort when all other avenues have failed.

May 8, 2023 | Post

Each of his separate bodies of work would constitute a monumental achievement. Hayek did it all over the course of a single career that established him as one of the most important social thinkers of the 20th century.

April 13, 2023 | Post

As we commemorate Thomas Jefferson’s 273rd birthday (he was born on April 13th, 1743) we could certainly remember him for more than one accomplishment. But one contribution in particular really does stand out.

April 4, 2023 | Post

Just as COVID has changed our lives in many ways since 2020, Chernobyl changed the world in 1986. These were two great disasters emanating from two major communist nations. The results and consequences of both will affect us for a very long time, maybe even forever.

As many will know, Chernobyl was instrumental in accelerating the end of the Soviet Union and is critical to our understanding of this period. However, could COVID be the key to understanding, in the future, perhaps, the end of Communist China?

March 29, 2023 | Post

Many are familiar with Portugal’s Carnation Revolution that brought an end to the authoritarian Estado Novo regime in 1974 and paved the way for democracy. Still, perhaps fewer are aware of the fascinating circumstances around the country’s Liberal Revolution, which took place just over 200 years ago.

March 8, 2023 | Post

This Women’s History Month, let’s take a look back at 12 remarkable women who’ve paved the way for individual liberty and a freer future.

March 6, 2023 | Post

Why are some countries successful while others aren’t? Is it down to natural resources, colonialism, or can it be better explained by something else?

March 2, 2023 | Post

Across his many political coalitions, Murray Rothbard remained steadfast in his opposition to war and to American intervention abroad.

February 27, 2023 | Post

Ayn Rand, a celebrated author and philosopher, was one of the most influential thinkers of the 20th century. Known for her bestselling novels, such as The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged, Rand’s ideas have had a profound impact on the fields of politics, economics, and philosophy.

February 12, 2023 | Post

Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation of January 1, 1863, declaring the slaves of the rebellious southern states “forever free,” is probably the most important event of his presidency or even his life. But most people — including a few professional historians — get the Proclamation wrong.