Jumpstarter 9 of 10

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Question 9

Bercot argues the new U.S. government quickly adopted similar—and even broader—protectionism, with tariffs eventually averaging over 50%, shifting costs onto the South; how does that comparison undermine the idea that revolution automatically produces a more righteous order, and what does it imply about trusting political solutions?

Another way to ask: Bercot says the new U.S. government soon used similar or worse protectionism, and tariffs hit the South hard. How does this challenge the idea that a revolution automatically makes things more godly, and what does it say about trusting political fixes?

Direct Answer Based on the transcript, the comparison shows that replacing rulers doesn’t remove self-interest or unfair policies; the new U.S. government repeated and expanded the very kind of protectionism criticized in Britain. That undermines the hope that revolution itself produces righteousness and warns against placing trust in political fixes.

Support from Transcript:

He says people might expect the U.S. after the Revolution to adopt “a policy of free trade,” but “that’s not the case.”
He states the U.S. government quickly implemented “practically the same system Britain was using.”
Under Washington, Congress put “heavy tariffs” on imported manufactured goods to protect American manufacturers.
He notes Britain protected “only a few items,” but Congress protected “nearly every industry.”
He highlights the moral complexity: tariffs favored northern manufacturing and forced the South to buy “expensive northern manufactured goods.”
He says tariffs eventually averaged “more than 50%,” exceeding Britain’s burden.

Discussion Follow-ups Bercot doesn’t say politics is meaningless, but he does challenge political messianism. If a “better” government can reproduce the same injustices, what kind of trust or hope is appropriate to place in political change?

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