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A Revolution Partly Fueled By Madeira Wine
The quote “in wine there is romance, in beer there is freedom and in water, there is only bacteria” is reputed to come from Benjamin Franklin. While one can smile…
Read MoreThe Seeds of the Needs for a Strong Navy
Since the United States is a maritime nation, logic says we need a strong navy to protect our coasts, our merchant ships, and our interests abroad. Yet, despite knowing this,…
Read MoreWe Are a Maritime Nation
The U.S. is bounded by two oceans, a gulf, five very large lakes and a long deep river. Ever since the colonies on the North American Coast were founded, our commerce with other nations was dependent merchant ships carrying cargoes. This was true when this country was founded as is true in 2021.
Read MoreEnd of Close Friendships
The Jay Treaty resolved some of the remaining differnences between the new U.S. and the British. Ratification led to a divisive bitter fight between Jefferson and Washington that had nothing to do with the terms of the treaty. It was all about political power.
Read MoreAvoiding the Foreign Entanglements Vise
France tried to intimidate the U.S. to join its fight against Britain. England appealed to U.S. merchants desire for profits. The 1794 Jay Treaty was a bet that England would prevail in any fight against France.
Read MoreSome Things in Defense Procurement Never Change
The modern U.S. Navy came into being when the Congress passed the Naval Act of 1794. For at least two years, Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton and Minister (Ambassador) to France…
Read MoreMelee Tactics Versus Trading Broadsides
When the Continental Navy was authorized by the Continental Congress on October 13th, 1775, the Americans had no ships, the Royal Navy had 350 rated ships and 550 in commission.…
Read MoreOne of the World’s First Successful Meritocracies
In 18th Century England, if one was not borne to wealth and privilege, there was another way to win fame and fortune. It was called the Royal Navy. If one…
Read MoreThe Politics of War in 1780 Are Similar to Those in 2021
The machinations of politicians in democratic legislative bodies to stay in power often put them out of touch with what is happening on the battlefield. During the American Revolution, the British government faced the same disconnects between what the generals in the field were telling them and their own political ambitions.
Read MoreValue of Rum in London in 1781
The high profit margins meant there were fortunes to be made by selling rum, sugar and molasses in London in the late 18th Century
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