The Tom Woods Show Ep. 2731 Reconstruction: The Marxist's Favorite Period of US History
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Jan 31, 2026 Philip Leigh, author of Southern Reconstruction and revisionist historian of 19th-century U.S. politics. He rethinks Reconstruction, arguing about Lincoln and Johnson's leniency. He examines tariffs and Northern industry, debates Radical Republican motives, and revisits federal power, military districts, and long-term effects on the South.
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Reconstruction Misunderstood And Prolonged
- Philip Leigh argues Reconstruction has been misunderstood and overly framed around race by modern historians.
- He connects prolonged Southern economic harm to policies like high tariffs and political motives of Radical Republicans.
Politics Drove Reconstruction Policies
- Leigh says Radical Republicans sought a durable Republican voting bloc as a central motive.
- He links that motive to policies that privileged Northern manufacturing over Southern agriculture.
Lincoln And Johnson Favored Leniency
- Leigh portrays Lincoln and Andrew Johnson as favoring leniency and rapid reintegration of Southern states.
- He argues Johnson aimed to continue Lincoln's conciliatory approach, not simply racial preservation.
