Free Republic

The British approach to its American colony in 1775 offers valuable lessons for historians and military professionals in the synthesis between the levels of wartime leadership and their effect on direct action at the tactical level. As such, it is worthwhile to reflect on the British experience in 1775, and how guidance from strategic and operational leaders had a dramatic impact on the opening stages of the conflict. A misalignment of desired objectives, a desire to exercise control down to the lowest echelon, and poorly executed direct leadership defined the British approach concerning the events surrounding Lexington and Concord on...

The Continental Congress in Philadelphia approved the final text of the Declaration of Independence on the Fourth of July, but it wasn't until July 8, 1776 that the historic document had been printed and could be publicly read. From the tower at Independence Hall the great bell rang out, summoning citizens to hear the new nation's proclamation of sovereignty. What we know today as the Liberty Bell had not yet acquired its iconic crack. But its noteworthy inscription was plain to see: "Proclaim LIBERTY Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants Thereof." Those words hadn't been drafted by one...

In his later years, Benjamin Franklin became vocal as an abolitionist and in 1787 began to serve as President of the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery. The Society was originally formed April 14, 1775, in Philadelphia, as The Society for the Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully Held in Bondage...The Society not only advocated the abolition of slavery, but made efforts to integrate freed slaves into American society. Preamble: "It having pleased the Creator of the world, to make of one flesh all the children of men, it becomes them to consult and promote each other's happiness, as...

I consider myself an amateur historian, though some of my readers might place more emphasis on the amateur than historian.  One thing that has puzzled me is why different results sprang from the American and French Revolutions.  It might have something to tell us for today. On the surface reading, the American and French Revolutions seem to hold similar ideals. Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness does not seem that far removed from Liberté, Egalité, and Fraternité.  And if one says the American slogan does not mention equality, the Declaration of Independence surely does. We hold these truths to be self-evident:...

Reflections on the Anniversary of the Defeat of the Newburgh Conspiracy We have known of the tale for over 2000 years, but especially for the past 420, since William Shakespeare’s play immortalized the moment. It was on March 15 – the Ides of March – in the year 44 BC, when Julius Caesar was assassinated by a cadre of Roman Senators. They claimed to have committed this murder to save the Roman Republic, even though the nation had suffered a procession of other dictators for a century already, and it was actually “a Republic in name only” long before Caesar...

Casimir Pulaski Day is a holiday observed in Chicago, Illinois on the first Monday of every March in memory of Casimir Pulaski (March 6, 1745 – October 11, 1779), a Revolutionary War cavalry officer born in Poland as Kazimierz Pułaski. He is praised for his contributions to the U.S. military in the American Revolution and known as "the father of the American cavalry".

Reflections on one of America’s first presidents on the anniversary of his birth… When Elias Boudinot IV signed onto the Treaty of Paris in 1783, in his capacity as President of the Confederation Congress, ending the War of Independence after eight long years, he did so not as a distant politician, but as one who had been in the thick of it from the beginning. As a respected attorney, politician, and member of the establishment, Elias Boudinot was hardly anyone’s mental image of a rebel leader... but then, one could say that of so many of our Founding Fathers. Boudinot...

What is the connection between personal freedom and rising from the dead? When America was in its infancy and struggling to find a culture and frustrated at governance from Great Britain, the word most frequently uttered in speeches and pamphlets and editorials was not "safety" or "taxes" or "peace"; it was "freedom." Two acts of Parliament assaulted freedom and broke the bonds with the mother country irreparably. The first was the Stamp Act, which was enforced by British soldiers, who used general warrants issued by a secret court in London to rummage through the personal possessions of any colonists they...

In a speech to the House of Commons on March 22nd 1775, Edmund Burke didn’t exaggerate when he warned that his majesty’s North American colonists “augur misgovernment at a distance, and snuff the approach of tyranny in every tainted breeze.” Burke understood colonial resistance to Parliamentary rule and monarchal abuse was not a recent development, but rather the predictable outcome of radical concepts developed since the late 17th century. 1 For most of the 17th century, the English government restricted the free flow of ideas in theater plays and print media. This ended when parliament allowed the Licensing Act to...

During the American Revolution, Patriot General George Washington crosses the Delaware River with 5,400 troops, hoping to surprise a Hessian force celebrating Christmas at their winter quarters in Trenton, New Jersey. The unconventional attack came after several months of substantial defeats for Washington’s army that had resulted in the loss of New York City and other strategic points in the region. At about 11 p.m. on Christmas, Washington’s army commenced its crossing of the half-frozen river at three locations. The 2,400 soldiers led by Washington successfully braved the icy and freezing river and reached the New Jersey side of the...

Historically speaking has any Empire won a war of counter insurgency? I'm hearing this talk about Afghanistan, and do not know the answer? I think the odds are not good when you think of the American Revolution, Vietnam, Kashmir, Pakistan, Afghanistan, etc.. and an added bonus the "rules of engagement". For the record, I am very strong President Trump supporter. Love the guy and will support him 100%. Just looking for good answers. Thanks!

One of the country’s most well-known tributes to the Revolutionary era is on the brink of financial ruin. Mitchell Reiss, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation’s president and CEO, released an open letter at the end of June revealing that Colonial Williamsburg, which markets itself as “the world’s largest living history museum,” is in dire financial straits.

French Revolution Attacking the American Revolution The Google firing confirms a working hypothesis I have been pondering recently. The French Revolution is attacking the American Revolution. The American Revolution was sparked by the Enlightenment, Judeo/Christian moral beliefs, mixed with Greek and Roman philosophy and political theories. At its best, the American Revolution promotes universal human equality–a work still in progress–individual freedom, freedom of thought and speech, the rule of law, etc.. The French Revolution, in contrast, is Utopian, collectivist, authoritarian, intolerant, and punitive. It is anti-religion generally and anti-Christianity specifically. It accepts the belief that the ends justify the means....

This column was co-authored by Dave Dougherty.Often, the Revolutionary War is compared to all the other bloody revolutions of the 19th century. Contrary to popular belief, the American colonists were after more than just revenge, wealth, or fame. They were after the protection of their homeland and inborn rights that their country was based upon. In Larry Schweikart and Dave Dougherty’s latest book, The Politically Incorrect Guide ® to The American Revolution: Making America Great in the First Place,  they unveil true account of the American colonists in the dignified quest for independence, liberty, and human dignity.Here are the 5...

On this date in: 1775 - American Revolution Begins 1993 - FBI at Waco 1995 - OKC Bombing 1925 - Hugh O'Brian Born 1937 - Elinor Donahue Born

Casimir Pulaski Day is a holiday observed in Chicago, Illinois on the first Monday of every March in memory of Casimir Pulaski (March 6, 1745 – October 11, 1779), a Revolutionary War cavalry officer born in Poland as Kazimierz Michał Władysław Wiktor Pułaski. He is praised for his contributions to the U.S. military in the American Revolution and known as "the father of the American cavalry".

We Americans like to think of our revolution as not being radical; indeed, most of the time we consider it downright conservative. It certainly does not appear to resemble the revolutions of other nations in which people were killed, property was destroyed, and everything was turned upside down. We can think of Robespierre, Lenin, and Mao Zedong as revolutionaries, but not George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. We cannot quite conceive of revolutionaries in powdered hair and knee breeches. They made speeches, not bombs; they wrote learned pamphlets, not manifestos. They were not abstract theorists and they were not...

The key to victory, the key to the courage that brings victory is not simply fighting the fight, but KNOWING we fight a righteous battle for the One who gave us Liberty. Our founders were in a position to pledge their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor because they were firmly rooted in ALL the assurances of Liberty. Our founders knew that Liberty is a gift from God and those that stand for God’s gifts will be victorious through God’s promises. They firmly believed that living in tyranny was worse than dying for Liberty. Did these brave men and...

During the Revolutionary War, our new nation faced a financial crisis. The colonies had no money to pay for the war and the prospects of raising funds were dismal, at best. Colonial troops had not been paid the money due them, so protests ensued. Some officers even surrounded the Continental Congress and held it for ransom, trying to get what was promised the troops for years of hardship, struggle and deprivation. Our young country was very near imploding after all the years of bloodshed, sacrifice and valiant commitment to the dream of liberty. Enter Robert Morris: the richest man in...

“Here’s my message to the Cuban government and the Cuban people: The ideals that are the starting point for every revolution, America’s revolution, Cuba’s revolution, the liberation movements around the world, these ideals find their truest expression, I believe, in democracy.” (President Obama, Havana Cuba, March 22, 2016) In fact, from the mid-fifties on, both Obama’s recent host (Raul Castro) and his recent mural idol (Che Guevara) were Soviet agents committed to creating a Stalinist Cuba—a vassal to the Communist motherland. Oh, I know…I know, the media, your professors, The History Channel, Francis Ford Coppola, etc. etc. all claim the...