Jehad Zafar

A sitdown with @Jehad_Zafar at @TheWideSide I continue to explore the untold history of the United States, focusing on the pivotal era following the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Youtube Link >> youtu.be/lcaicglIwYU?si=QyZe… The argument that I made is that the American system was heavily influenced by three 17th-century thinkers, all named John: John Locke (natural rights), John Calvin (theology and decentralization), and John Milton (freedom of expression and resistance against tyranny). The concept of Liberty is explained as a "refined" or "responsible" version of freedom, governed by rules to prevent chaos. The structure of the American government, including the creation of the three branches (Legislative, Executive, and Judicial), was designed as a check against both tyranny and the potential excesses of a pure democracy. The discussion traces the early military struggles, including the Revolutionary War, the surrender of Lord Cornwallis in 1781, and the subsequent transition toward a more centralized government with the writing of the Constitution in 1787. I note the division between the "Federalist" and "Republican-Democratic" factions, which influenced early foreign (relative to Britain) and economic policies. Discussed how George Washington's presidency set a precedent for future presidents and drew a historical parallel with the first plebeian secession in the Roman Republic. The discussion emphasizes that while many view American independence as a singular event, it is framed here as a long, complex journey of establishing true sovereignty, arguing that the real test for the nation began after the formal independence declaration and lasted until the War of 1812.