School of War Ep 266: Blake Seitz & Mike Watson—Were the Founders Isolationists?
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Jan 16, 2026 Blake Seitz, a content strategist at Palantir and former policy advisor, teams up with Mike Watson, Executive Director of the Alexander Hamilton Society, to explore America's Founding Fathers and their foreign policy approach. They delve into the 18th-century geopolitical landscape, discussing Yorktown's significance and how diplomacy shaped early America’s global stance. The duo contrasts isolationist impulses with universalist ideals, while also drawing parallels between historical debates and today’s U.S.-China rivalry, ultimately emphasizing the enduring spirit of American exceptionalism.
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Yorktown As A Modern Siege Example
- The Yorktown staff ride revealed a combined-arms, modern-style siege with naval and land components.
- Alexander Hamilton led a bayonet charge there, showing the Revolution's military sophistication.
Universal Rhetoric, Pragmatic Necessity
- The Declaration mixes universal rhetoric with pragmatic diplomacy to win French support.
- Americans needed European aid to win but feared entangling political commitments afterward.
Bold Rhetoric Matched Ambition
- Founders used bold, universal language and believed in American exceptionalism.
- Their ambition often exceeded means but shaped active policies in trade, diplomacy, and defense.
