Mises Institute The American Revolution and Classical Liberalism
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Jan 13, 2026 Explore the roots of classical liberalism in the American Revolution and its fight against empire and militarism. Understand how influential thinkers like Locke shaped radical libertarian ideas. Discover how constitutional limits emerged and the distrust of centralized power defined the new nation. Journey through the rise and fall of liberalism in America, examining the elite resistance and the gradual embrace of state power. Rothbard critiques the shift from radical ideals to conservatism, highlighting the enduring libertarian legacy amid evolving political landscapes.
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Jefferson's Drift Toward Statism
- Jefferson's presidency veered from anti-statism due to concessions and the Louisiana Purchase, which expanded federal power.
- His second-term push toward conflict with Britain led to war and a solidified statist program.
Slavery Fractured Libertarian Momentum
- The split over slavery fractured the Democratic coalition, undermining the libertarian trajectory and enabling statist alternatives.
- Slavery's sectional conflict derailed plans for prolonged Jacksonian libertarian dominance.
War Centralized State Power
- The Civil War empowered a Republican regime that expanded federal power via tariffs, subsidies, inflationary finance, conscription, and income tax.
- War centralized authority and diminished states' rights and secession as checks on federal power.
