Speeches
400th Anniversary - The First Black Slaves in Virginia
A speech given by Mike Curtis at Arden Delaware in 2019 commemorating the 180th anniversary of the birth of Henry George.
This is the 400th anniversary of the first black slaves in the Virginia colony. By 1860 slaves made up the vast majority of what was considered capital in the southern states.
Britain had abolished slavery at home more than 30 years before the United States—but, by 1830 the wages of the English agricultural workers were not much more than the food, clothing, and shelter paid to American slaves.
In 1860 the United States had, by far, the highest wages in the world. It is no wonder the slaves were so valuable, or that their owners were willing to go to war over the possibility of losing their assets.
To download the full speech by clicking on the download link below.
This is the 400th anniversary of the first black slaves in the Virginia colony. By 1860 slaves made up the vast majority of what was considered capital in the southern states.
Britain had abolished slavery at home more than 30 years before the United States—but, by 1830 the wages of the English agricultural workers were not much more than the food, clothing, and shelter paid to American slaves.
In 1860 the United States had, by far, the highest wages in the world. It is no wonder the slaves were so valuable, or that their owners were willing to go to war over the possibility of losing their assets.
To download the full speech by clicking on the download link below.
| 400th_anniversary_-_the_first_black_slaves_in_virginia.pdf |
The Essence of Progress & Poverty
What is the essence of Progress & Poverty? To start with, it is a description of the country as it was in 1879. There was chronic unemployment in the cities, where unskilled workers were paid subsistence wages, and poverty and crime were ever present. It’s uncanny, how “the more things change, the more they seem to remain the same." [George] was writing at the end of what was then the worst depression in the history of the country, and it lasted five long years. It is a clear and simple analysis of how we got where we are today, and why, no matter how much we increase education and technology, if we do not change our fundamental institutions, recessions will recur, wages will continue in their tendency to remain static, and unemployment and poverty will increase. It is also a lesson on how we can create a common and equal opportunity. And if we do, how we can ensure private property and free enterprise in the things we produce — with full employment, rising wages, and a universal sharing of all socially created values.
You can download the full speech by clicking on the download link below.
You can download the full speech by clicking on the download link below.
| The Essence of Progress & Poverty |