Dave Troy Presents Henry Wallace and the World that Wasn't with Benn Steil
Feb 25, 2025
Benn Steil, an economist and historian from the Council on Foreign Relations, discusses his book about Henry A. Wallace, a presidential candidate whose ties to the KGB predated Trump’s. The conversation dives into Wallace's unique political journey, mystical beliefs, and innovative agricultural policies. Steil explores the impact of Wallace's vision, particularly his famous speech 'The Century of the Common Man,' and his contentious political battles, especially with Harry Truman, revealing shocking parallels to today’s political climate.
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Steil's Interest in Wallace
- Benn Steil, an economist and historian, stumbled upon Henry Wallace while researching the Marshall Plan.
- Wallace's opposition to the plan sparked Steil's interest in a counterfactual history.
Wallace's Agricultural Impact
- Wallace's agricultural innovations significantly impacted modern farming, particularly corn production.
- His policies, like destroying crops and livestock to raise prices, remain controversial.
Wallace and Roerich
- Wallace's mystical pursuits led him to Nicholas Roerich, a Russian mystic, with whom he collaborated.
- Their Central Asian expedition, ostensibly for seed foraging, was a cover for Roerich's theocratic ambitions.
