Digital Commons Network^™

New Netherland In Relation To The English Colonies Of Mainland America, Dane D. Urban

Bound Away: The Liberty Journal of History

While Holland is often overlooked in colonial power politics, she greatly impacted English developments in mainland America through trade and the Anglo-Dutch Wars. The Dutch Republic’s foothold in North America was far from unimportant, as it influenced its neighbors through its sheer economic power. The various continental settlements undeniably saw positive alteration due to direct trade with the Dutch. Without trade, the English may never have thrived or even survived in the New World. An example of this was how the Dutch would exchange food with the English settlers during dire times, possibly saving the early colonies from destruction.

England’s …

Alexander Campbell: The Legacy And Limits Of The American Revolution, Joseph Francis Super

Bound Away: The Liberty Journal of History

On October 5, 1829, prominent Virginia leaders gathered in Richmond to debate amending the state constitution originally adopted in 1776. One of the delegates was clergyman Alexander Campbell from Brooke County (now West Virginia), a noted reformer and contrarian. His service at the convention reflected his realistic and decidedly non-triumphalist view of the American Revolution, one informed by the Christian theology undergirding his reform movement, the Disciples of Christ. Campbell believed tensions were an inescapable feature of natural human life. Life in Christ did not make them all disappear; rather, it made them clearer, although still not completely understood or …

Where There Is No Vision, The People Perish: The Evolution Of Strategy During The American Revolutionary War, 1775-1783, Harold Allen Skinner

Bound Away: The Liberty Journal of History

Both Great Britain and her thirteen American colonies faced strategic dilemmas at the start of the American Revolution in April 1775. The British possessed overwhelming military power, yet their government could not agree on a strategy to suppress the rebellion. By contrast, the Americans began without a functioning national government and army. Raising a national Continental army was easier than developing a strategy, according to historian Don Higginbotham, “No military genius stood among the [Congressional] delegates––no Hannibal, Turenne, Saxe, Wolfe…” This statement included George Washington, whose service as a militia colonel offered few lessons to influence his role as Continental …

A Terrible Tranquility: John Adams, Christian Stoicism, And The Architecture Of American Virtue, William E. Shook

Bound Away: The Liberty Journal of History

This paper challenges the historiographical binary of a “secular” versus “Christian” American founding by examining the intellectual architecture of John Adams during his formative early years. It argues that Adams did not possess a static or fully articulated dogma but instead engaged in a dynamic, lifelong struggle to define virtue amid profound socio-political upheaval. To resolve the tension between the grandeur of Enlightenment liberalism, pagan classical ideals, and his own Christian faith, Adams forged a pressurized personal philosophy: a “Christian Stoicism.” Drawing on a close reading of his private Diary and Autobiography, this study demonstrates that his inherited Puritan …

The Education Of Methodists: Unexpected Outcomes, Taylor Schmalz

Bound Away: The Liberty Journal of History

From its founding, the heart of the Methodist church was education. John Wesley believed in the education of Christians, and the church sought out to give everyone a religious education. Two educational initiatives from leaders of the Methodist Church had long lasting ripple effects on American society as a whole. These unexpected outcomes had a large hand in helping social movements, the economy, and advancing medical initiatives. Looking at the Methodist Book of Concern and the Free African Society as case studies can show the Methodists as leaders in education and creating change in societal issues during the process. Methodist …

Nathan Hale And His One Life To Give, Veronica Riddle

Bound Away: The Liberty Journal of History

Nathan Hale and American Revolutionary War espionage may be just like any topic; however, it is important to examine as many sources as possible thoroughly on both espionage and Nathan Hale. Due to this, it is no different when looking at the study of Espionage throughout the Revolutionary War and the influential spies who made the American victory possible like Nathan Hale. Further on into the study of information on espionage throughout the war and its aftermath, it is also important to look back into the history of the war, even going as far as to examine the historical background …

America's Founding Theology, Michael Payne

Bound Away: The Liberty Journal of History

Building off of Mark David Hall's thesis that America had a Christian founding, this paper seeks to explore the theology of this Christian founding. While acknowledging that Enlightenment and English Common Law also influenced American founding thought, the paper seeks to look specifically at America's theological outlook. It concludes that American founding theology was overwhelmingly Reformed but with some key influences from the Baptist, Quaker, and even Catholic traditions. These influences can be found in the writings of the founders as well as in America's founding documents such as the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. The point of the …

The Brabant Revolution And The American Revolution: Striking Resemblances, John Norman Patterson

Bound Away: The Liberty Journal of History

The American Revolution was the second major Western democratic republican revolution to precede the French Revolution. It was followed by the Brabant Revolution a decade later. The resemblances between the American Revolution of 1765-1783 and the Brabant Revolution of 1789-1790 in the southern Netherlands are evident. Even though the Brabant Revolution was short-lived in comparison to the American Revolution, both populaces sought to establish national independence from a European power. In the case of the American Revolution, the thirteen colonies sought to free themselves from the tyranny of Great Britain. During the Brabant Revolution, nine provinces in the Austrian Netherlands …

Revolutionary Leader: The Political Influence Of George Washington, Schuyler Ogden

Bound Away: The Liberty Journal of History

There are certain elements that have defined western and American civilization. One of these is the belief and implementation of limited government. Limited government is the practice of limiting government powers as an effort to protect individual freedoms and property. Such aspects include separation of powers, checks and balances, term limits, and even federalism. There have been many voices and people that have influenced American history and western freedoms. Among the well-known thinkers who have influenced these freedoms are Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Alexander Hamilton, but one that is often overlooked is George Washington. Washington was not a political …

The Wall Of Separation Between Church God And State, James B. Morgan

Bound Away: The Liberty Journal of History

The metaphorical wall of separation between church and state is a staple in American discourse. It is often used not only to separate church involvement in government affairs, but also to separate the government from all standards of biblical morality and any attempts to impose such standards in the public sphere. As the phrase originated more than 200 years ago, many Americans may not understand the historiography of the phrase and how common interpretations have evolved over the course of American history. Where and how did the phrase originate and what is its true meaning? In what ways have interpretations …

Fidelity And Fortitude: Dolley Madison’S Political Ideas Of The First Lady, Olivia Mares

Bound Away: The Liberty Journal of History

Dolley Madison helped create the modern idea of a First Lady taking political action and stances through her work to reelect her husband James, build a thriving city and capital for the nation to enjoy, and unite the new republic, further solidifying its place in history for decades. Dolley’s theory of the First Lady made her responsible for organizing, launching, and legitimizing James’ administration and the new capital while growing a sense of Americanness. She believed it was part of her public duty to encourage republicanism and work towards social solutions to make a cohesive government without threatening the current …

The Us Marine Corps And The Battle Of Belleau Wood, William Maass

Bound Away: The Liberty Journal of History

The central question of this research is how the United States Marine Corps shifted from an auxiliary naval force to an elite, mobile fighting force, and the role that the Battle of Belleau Wood played in that transformation. The Battle of Belleau Wood, fought from June 1-26, 1918, in France during the First World War, was a pivotal engagement where untested American forces were able to stop and drive back the German advance in the Chateau-Thierry sector. While there were both Marines and Army soldiers present at the battle, newspapers disproportionally showed the Marines’ actions, which created a public image …

To Be Not Idle In The Chain Of Union: Establishing The Georgia Continental Line, Christopher Long

Bound Away: The Liberty Journal of History

By the summer of 1776, Georgia was committed to the idea of separation from Great Britain and the formation of a union with twelve other rebelling colonies. Due to its relative youth as a colony and the presence of a popular and dynamic governor, Georgia was slow to embrace the revolutionary enthusiasm which gripped the other colonies. However, once the decision was made to rebel against British authorities, Georgia’s revolutionary leaders were eager to demonstrate their enthusiasm for the self-described cause of liberty. One method of displaying revolutionary enthusiasm was the establishment, at the request of congress, of regular, or …

Loyalists In The American Revolution: Identity, Allegiance And Exile, Katherine L. Kloepping

Bound Away: The Liberty Journal of History

This paper examines the Loyalists of the American Revolution, exploring how their allegiance to the British Crown shaped their identities, influenced their social and economic lives, and often resulted in exile. While the dominant narrative of the Revolution emphasizes the experiences and perspectives of Patriots, the Loyalists offer a crucial counter-narrative that reveals the diversity of thought, motivation, and consequence during this transformative period in American history. Loyalist choices were driven by a complex mix of cultural, economic, and personal factors rather than a single political ideology. Loyalists’ decisions were shaped by religion, work, and family concerns, highlighting the personal …

The Legacy And Influence Of The Gist Family On The Expansion And Independence Of The United States Of America, Alethea Kilgore

Bound Away: The Liberty Journal of History

The Gist family of 17th-century Maryland left a lasting legacy and impact on the development of Baltimore, Maryland, and the first known Anglican parishes in this city. Descendants of the Gist family also played significant roles in the Western expansion of British Colonial America, Indian relations, and the victory of the American Revolutionary War. This paper will include an overview of the history and genealogy of the Gist family, beginning with Christopher Gist Sr. (1650-1690), who immigrated from Wiltshire, England, to the Province of Maryland around 1679. This paper will focus on three descendants of the Gist family who made …

The Arsenal Of New London During The Revolutionary War, Wesley Jones

Bound Away: The Liberty Journal of History

In America’s fight for independence against the British there were many contributions to their eventual success. One factor not always mentioned is the role that arsenals had in aiding the Continental Army. They were crucial in manufacturing and more commonly storing many weapons that the Continental Army was in constant need of. Continental forces could not get all their supplies from the French or overseas and so the arsenals in the colonies would be the lifeblood of the war effort. One arsenal that should be highlighted is the former New London Arsenal near Campbell County. Established in 1780, this arsenal …

A Roller Coaster Ride With America’S Jefferson, Andrae Henderson

Bound Away: The Liberty Journal of History

History’s pedestal stands as tall as mankind can imagine and the fall from such heights creates in us the adrenaline of the fall, the pain of impact, and worst of all the insecurities of an unsure footing in the world. According to some historians, few have fallen harder than Thomas Jefferson. Annette Gordon-Reed and Peter S. Onuf, two significant modern historians partnered to write, “There has been a reaction to these earlier portraits of Jefferson, and the pendulum appears to have swung all the way in the opposite direction. ‘Jefferson the God’ has given way to ‘Jefferson the Devil’.” Historiographical …

Between Devotion And Doctrine: Religion, Law, And The Struggle For Compliance During The War Of Regulation, Cynthia D. Hatch

Bound Away: The Liberty Journal of History

The Sandy Creek Baptist Association played a vital role in North Carolina's religious and political landscape before the Revolutionary War, with many Regulators connected to it. The Regulator movement is most recognized for its resistance to the Royal Governor of North Carolina, William Tryon, and his oppressive actions against the colony's residents. Many Regulators shared a common bond through their affiliation with the Sandy Creek Baptist Association in present-day Liberty, North Carolina. Under the leadership of Reverend Shubal Stearns and Reverend Daniel Marshall, the Sandy Creek Baptist Association helped establish a network of Baptist churches throughout the state. As political …

Influences Of The Declaration: Common Sense And Virginia Declaration Of Rights, Brendan Harris

Bound Away: The Liberty Journal of History

This paper will examine the interplay among key figures, events, and political documents of the Founding era to demonstrate how Thomas Paine’s Common Sense and the Virginia Declaration of Rights directly shaped the philosophical foundations and rhetorical structure of the Declaration of Independence. Published in January 1776, Paine’s pamphlet rapidly became the most influential political text of the revolutionary moment, reframing colonial grievances as part of a larger moral struggle against hereditary monarchy and political corruption. Paine’s accessible style and uncompromising argument for popular sovereignty catalyzed public support for independence at a time when many colonial leaders remained uncertain. His …

Washington’S War: The Evolution Of Strategy In America’S Fight For Independence, Connor S. Haines

Bound Away: The Liberty Journal of History

The American Revolution presented George Washington with an immense challenge as the commander of the Continental Army. Facing the most powerful empire in the world, Washington had to mold a loosely organized, often undisciplined force into an army capable of sustaining the revolutionary cause. His early campaigns, particularly the disastrous New York campaign of 1776, nearly destroyed the Continental Army and exposed the weakness of conventional European-style tactics when applied to America’s military situation. From these defeats, however, Washington began to reshape his approach, adopting a Fabian strategy of endurance that emphasized survival over decisive engagement. This transformation not only …

“We Will Soon Have Both”: Charles Lynch And Virginia’S Forgotten Struggle For Gunpowder In The American Revolution, Wyatt Golden

Bound Away: The Liberty Journal of History

This paper examines the overlooked but decisive role of gunpowder in Virginia’s entry into the American Revolution, arguing that material scarcity helped to shape the colony’s revolutionary trajectory between 1775 and 1778. Beginning with the Gunpowder Incident in Williamsburg just days after Lexington and Concord, this paper argues that the contest for control over Virginia’s gunpowder supply irreparably damaged relations between Virginians and royal authority and marked the effective beginning of revolutionary conflict in the colony. Situating the incident within the broader imperial struggle for military resources, the paper highlights Britain’s mercantilist policies and the colonies’ dependence on imported gunpowder. …

Shepherds In The Great War: The Evolution Of The U.S. Army Chaplaincy And The Service Of Malcolm Taylor In World War I, Sydney Gilbert

Bound Away: The Liberty Journal of History

From its beginnings in 1775, the U.S. military chaplaincy has been a vital but often overlooked component of the American military experience. Though the specific duties, expectations, and regulations for U.S. chaplains have evolved over time, the heart of the chaplaincy is rooted in sacrificial service, a ministry of presence, spiritual leadership, and moral guidance. The American entrance into the Great War in 1917 marked a period of exponential growth for the military chaplaincy as it faced unprecedented demand and growing professionalization. To meet the needs of the modern era warfare, a major shift occurred within the chaplaincy as it …

Religious Liberty In The American Republic: How A Catholic Family Influenced Religious Freedom In The United States, Darien J. Garland

Bound Away: The Liberty Journal of History

The American Revolution was a call for both individual freedom and freedom from British Rule. Tyrannical rule, taxation without representation in Parliament, and British military control of the colonies were all central to the Revolution, as was the emphasis on individual rights. One such right sought by the American colonists was the right to practice a religion of their choosing – but there was much debate about how freedom of religion would apply in the colonies. Ironically, the same freedom of religion which was central to the Revolution was not equally applied to all religions – in the colonies, Catholicism …

Rome Goes West: The Influence Of Classical Antiquity Upon The American Founding, Rebecca Felton

Bound Away: The Liberty Journal of History

To the American founding generation, the history of classical antiquity—of Rome in particular—not only supplied a common vernacular capable of transcending geographical and social boundaries, but also imparted important lessons regarding statecraft and the destinies of nations. Over the course of the 1760s and 1770s, the founders increasingly regarded America as the inheritor of Roman imperium, politically, culturally, and even religiously. Thus, alongside British constitutionalism, Enlightenment philosophy, and Christian resistance theory, the memory of Rome contributed to the declaration of American independence from Great Britain.

“King George And Broadswords”: An Assessment Of Governor Josiah Martin’S Military Plan In North Carolina, Christopher Dyer

Bound Away: The Liberty Journal of History

In the early morning of February 27, 1776, the cold dark swamp surrounding the Moore’s Creek Bridge in southeast North Carolina came alive with the roar of combat to quickly be replaced with the silence of the dead. In moments, the political, military, and social structure of North Carolina in the early years of the Revolutionary War would be cemented until the Cornwallis-led Southern Campaign of 1780-1781. While considerable research has been expended on the later campaign, the crucial battle at Moore’s Creek set the conditions for the partisan struggle of the later years of the conflict with less concerted …

Faith In Service: The Evolving Role Of Military Chaplains In Humanitarian Relief During Twentieth Century Conflicts, Hannah Dugan

Bound Away: The Liberty Journal of History

Since America's founding the Chaplaincy has been an important part of the nation's military. The U.S. Army Chaplain Corps, one of the oldest branches of the military, has served as a spiritual foundation for American soldiers. Established July 29, 1775, at the request of General George Washington, Congress authorized chaplains for each regiment of the Army.During the Revolutionary War, 218 chaplains served, offering spiritual guidance, moral counsel, and religious services to the troops.Over time, the chaplaincy has evolved, expanding to represent other denominations and faiths. During the Mexican American War, Catholic chaplains were added to the Corps, followed by Jewish …

The American Experiment Reforged: Civil War, Equality, And Constitutional Reckoning, Emily K. Dossman

Bound Away: The Liberty Journal of History

The American Civil War was not a repudiation of the nation’s founding principles but rather their most profound constitutional reckoning. From the beginning, the founding generation left unresolved tensions embedded within the Constitution—particularly concerning liberty, equality, slavery, and the balance of power between the states and the federal government. These ambiguities allowed competing interpretations of American republicanism to coexist uneasily for decades. By the mid-nineteenth century, however, these conflicting visions could no longer be contained within political compromise, and they erupted into civil war. At the heart of the conflict lay fundamentally different understandings of freedom and sovereignty. Southern defenders …

Patrick Henry: Translating Enlightenment And Religion Into Revolutionary Action, Sheila Deasy

Bound Away: The Liberty Journal of History

During the 18th Century, the Enlightenment illuminated ideas of self-government and natural rights through the works of men such as John Locke and Charles Montesquieu. Concurrently, the Great Awakening brought concepts of conversion and religious freedom. Dissent abounded in the colonies at the religious and political levels. Patrick Henry stood at the intersection of these ideologies, bringing clarity and motivation to the people. While Enlightenment philosophy and evangelical religion both shaped the Revolutionary Era, it was their combination, expressed by leaders like Patrick Henry, that galvanized the public. Henry’s speeches translated Locke’s natural rights and Protestant theology into a common …

Forgotten Founder: The Life And Death Of Dr. Joseph Warren, Katie Cassady

Bound Away: The Liberty Journal of History

While thousands of pages have been written about the American Revolution, minimal attention has been devoted to earlier aspects of this critical time period. Historiography hesitates to analyze figures such as Dr. Joseph Warren, whose tragic death in the early days of the war consigned him to relative oblivion in the contemporary American psyche. While Warren’s legacy has largely been forgotten, historians rediscovering this critical figure argue that his contributions to the revolution loom as large as those of Thomas Jefferson or George Washington. His untold story reveals a life of dedicated service to his country in the medical, political, …

A Gentleman’S Agreement: Prisoners Of War During The American Revolution, Delynn Burrell

Bound Away: The Liberty Journal of History

The topic of prisoners of war in any war is often controversial and convoluted. The American Revolution is no different. The problem surrounding prisoners of war during this era is the lack of official policies regarding care and exchange. For centuries, armies had relied on a gentleman’s agreement, often made on the battlefield or in the immediate days following, by commanders, most often Washington and Gage or Burgoyne and Lee. Washington frequently deferred to the Continental Congress, which had no issue expressing its opinions on matters such as provisions and the locations where prisoners were held. The British, for their …