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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Founders Saw America As A Global Actor
- The founders saw America amid global imperial competition and aimed to create a distinct, influential republic.
- They pursued both trade/diplomacy and building military strength to secure independence and global standing.
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.
