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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Separation Of State From Society
- Classical liberalism aimed to separate virtually all social spheres from state control to maximize individual liberty and economic freedom.
- It opposed mercantilism, high taxes, guild monopolies, standing armies, and state-enforced religion as sources of oppression.
Power Naturally Encroaches
- Radical Lockeans like Trenchard and Gordon argued government naturally tends to encroach on liberty and needs constant public vigilance.
- Their Cato's Letters popularized the view that power is ever encroaching and must be eternally opposed.
America As The Libertarian Realization
- The American Revolution implemented 18th-century radical libertarian ideas more fully than Britain, embedding limits via constitutions and bills of rights.
- It curtailed feudal privileges, separated church and state, and tightly restricted federal power under the Articles of Confederation.
