1- Declaration of Independence

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With this document, rebellious American colonists declared their independence from the British government and announced plans to create a new and free nation. (07/04/1776)

http://www.free-market.net/rd/374903553.html



2- Articles of Confederation

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The first governing document for the newly independent

United States.

http://www.free-market.net/rd/526078968.html



3- United States Constitution

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The text of the current governing document of the

United States of America, including all amendments.

http://www.free-market.net/rd/9014790.html



4- Federalist papers

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Arguments penned by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay

and James Madison in favor of the adoption of the

Constitution to replace the Articles of Confederation.

(1787-1789)

http://www.free-market.net/rd/234866583.html



5- Anti-federalist papers

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Arguments against the proposed Constitution, arguing

that it provided for too centralized a government and

contained the seeds of tyranny.

(1787-1789)

http://www.free-market.net/rd/523598643.html



6- The war inevitable

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by Patrick Henry

Patrick Henry's "Liberty or Death" speech to

the 1775 Virginia Convention. (03/23/1775)

http://www.free-market.net/rd/10282424.html



7- Common Sense

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by Thomas Paine

Full text of the book that inspired the

Declaration of Independence and fueled the

American revolution. (1776)

http://www.free-market.net/rd/989194437.html



8- The Rights of Man

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by Thomas Paine

Paine's defense of individual liberty. As always,

Paine is quick to make valuable suggestions for

proper government.

http://www.free-market.net/rd/8481874.html



9- The papers of Thomas Jefferson

----------

The collected writings of the often-libertarian

author of the Declaration of Independence.

http://www.free-market.net/rd/520708203.html



10- Brief biography: John Locke (1632-1704)

----------

John Locke's influence on modern views of liberty

is profound, including providing much of the

philosophical influence for the American Revolution.

http://www.free-market.net/rd/823862104.html



11- Democracy in America

----------

by Alexis de Tocqueville

The full text of the classic 19th-century analysis by

an observant French aristocrat of the culture and people of the American republic and the potential threat to liberty posed by too much democracy.

http://www.free-market.net/rd/266647317.html



12- Founding Fathers info

----------

Founding Fathers

The one-stop site for any history buff looking for

a convenient archive of historical documents, articles,

essays, books and more. Also, great links, quotes and

research resources.

http://www.free-market.net/rd/4425785.html



13- Is the Spirit of '76 Dead?

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Rational Review

by R. Lee Wrights

"Let's face it: if you have to ask permission to do something you are not free. And yet, Americans don't seem to be particularly bothered by having to ask for state-sanctioned permission to do every little thing." (07/02)

http://www.free-market.net/rd/864039006.html



14- The worship of government

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Hawaii Reporter

by Rex Curry

"Does every pledge of allegiance establish a religion -- the worship of government?" (07/01/02)

http://www.free-market.net/rd/441348698.html



15- Americans celebrate Dependence Day

----------

Lew Rockwell.com

by Butler Shaffer

"[A]sk yourself how -- if at all -- you intend to spend July 4th. Will it be in celebration of your independence, or submission to a condition of dependence?" (07/01/02)

http://www.free-market.net/rd/464080961.html



16- The first revolution led by small businessmen

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Small Business Survival Committee

by Darrell McKigney

"There is no question that the free-market, consumer-oriented experience of the founding generation was a major contributing factor in building a successful democratic government."

(06/27/02)

http://www.free-market.net/rd/581911291.html



17- July 4th

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Empower America

by Jack Kemp

"As we celebrate the 226th anniversary of our beloved

Declaration of Independence, it is remarkable to reflect on the fact that America has survived wars hot and cold, a civil war and a second peaceful revolution to ensure equal rights to blacks and women as well as instances of rascality in government..." (7/02/02)

http://www.free-market.net/rd/562791673.html



18- July Forth!

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The Libertarian Enterprise

by L. Neil Smith

"I don't know whether you've noticed it or not, but

everybody who was pretending to be in charge of America the day before September 11, 2001, is still pretending to be in charge. The difference is that they have more money to play with, and a hell of a lot more power over our lives." (07/02)

http://www.free-market.net/rd/210047303.html