The Tom Woods Show Ep. 2715 Not Stolen: The Truth About European Colonialism in the New World
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Dec 6, 2025 Jeff Fynn-Paul, a Professor of economic history at Leiden University and author specializing in the Spanish Empire, challenges conventional narratives about European colonialism. He tackles controversial questions, arguing that disease, rather than genocide, caused major population declines. He defends missionary efforts as attempts to empower natives and highlights legal protections for indigenous land claims. Fynn-Paul also critiques modern perceptions of historical figures like Columbus and discusses the complex legacy of colonialism and cultural change.
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Woke Dogma Shapes Colonial History Debates
- Jeffrey Fynn-Paul argues modern academic dogma has constrained honest inquiry about colonial history.
- He says continental European universities have been slower to adopt Anglophone identity-politics than British/American institutions.
Facing Campus Protests Over The Book
- Jeffrey Fynn-Paul recounts a university lecture where younger faculty and students threatened to boycott and protests required security.
- He says older faculty supported a critical discussion of post-colonial theory while activists reacted with pitchforks and torches.
Genocide Claims Overstate Intent And Numbers
- He challenges claims of genocide, emphasizing intent and disease-driven population collapse.
- He estimates massacre deaths totaled far fewer than extremists' figures and argues Europeans lacked intent to exterminate.
