Thanksgiving Redux
The Thanksgiving Holiday season is on us again. I think it is appropriate to remember the REAL First Thanksgiving and be reminded again how socialistic economic systems fail, while free markets produce abundance. Below is a reprint from the November, 2009 Issue of The Note Professor Newsletter. Happy Turkey Day.
A valuable lesson in economic systems can be learned from the First Thanksgiving. For the most part, we are taught the Pilgrims landed in America in 1620, and had a harsh winter. However, with the help of the Indians teaching the colonists how to plant corn, in 1621 the colonist had a plentiful harvest, where they invited the Indians for a feast.
Not quite true. While there was a feast in 1621, the feast was to celebrate only a successful hunting party, not a plentiful harvest. In fact for the next couple of years, the colonists almost starved to death. How could this be in a land so rich in natural resources. A look at the economic systems employed by the colonists will give us the answer.
Governor William Bradford, the leader of the colonists, describes in detail in his book “Of Plymouth Plantation”, that because of religious reasons, the Mayflower Compact set up a system of socialism as a way to organize production and distribution of goods. It just seemed like the “Godly” thing to do was to take all the production from hunting, fishing and planting and, place it in a pool, and then “share and share alike”. The results were not pleasant. Instead of harmony, harsh words, anger, resentment were the results when workers could not enjoy the fruits of their labor.
From “Of Plymouth Plantation”
” —the young men–did repine that they should spend their time and strength to work for other men’s wives and children without any recompense. The strong –had not more in division–than he that was weak and not able to do a quarter the other could; this was thought injustice. The aged and graver men to be ranked and equalized in labors and victuals, clothes, etc– thought it some indignity and disrespect unto them. And the men’s wives to be commanded to do service for other men, as dressing their meat, washing their clothes, etc., they deemed it a kind of slavery, neither could many husbands well brook it”.
More importantly, because no one wanted to be forced to work for the benefit of others, the colonists almost starved. William Bradford, reported that the colonists went hungry for years, because they refused to work in the fields. They preferred instead to steal food. He says the colony was riddled with “corruption,” and with “confusion and discontent.” The crops were small because “much was stolen both by night and day, before it became scarce eatable.
Governor Bradford saw the system of “from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs” was not working. In the spring of 1623, Bradford changed the system. A plot of land was given to each family. However, what was produced on the land was the family’s to keep. Any excess could be traded as the families saw fit. The same went for hunting and fishing. What were the results?
From “Of Plymouth Plantation”
“instead of famine now God gave them plenty,”–“and the face of things was changed, to the rejoicing of the hearts of many, for which they blessed God.“
Some will say the abundance was just by chance. Governor Bradford had a different recollection as evidenced by his remarks, “any general want or famine hath not been amongst them since to this day.” What is not mentioned is in 1624, so much food was produced that the colonists started exporting corn.
So when you are with your family giving thanks for your loved ones and enjoying the beginning of the holiday season, take time to remember also the reason we are celebrating this holiday instead of remembering a tragedy. The reason was a change from a socialistic economic system to a free market system. Another example of free markets working, while socialism fails.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING