U.S. History

Chris Calton discusses the political schisms exacerbated in the aftermath of John Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry.

What should be done to end the Progressives influence over government and the economy and to promote the public good?

The English Levellers were the world's first self-consciously libertarian mass movement.

As experience now makes clear, the War Powers Resolution did not fix the problem of presidential usurpation of Congress's war powers. 

So long as he uses a "national security" ploy, a president can raise taxes without so much as a debate in Congress. 

Truman, without consent or knowledge of Congress, declared war on Korea. Congress condoned his usurpation of its exclusive constitutional power.

Chris Calton concludes the story of John Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry.

The authors of the Constitution were clear that the power to declare war was limited to Congress. It's important to understand why. 

Even if a section of the US were to today secede for some noble reason (i.e., not slavery), the outcome would still likely be invasion and war. 

Chris Calton continues the story of John Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry.