Thanksgiving Memo To Mamdani: The Pilgrims Learned The Hard Way That Socialism Doesn't Work

Key Concepts Socialism, Communism, Free Markets, Communal Ownership, Private Property, Plymouth Colony, Jamestown Settlement, William Bradford, Mayflower, Plymouth Rock, Starving Winter, Human Creativity, Economic Incentives.

The Real Story of Thanksgiving and the Pilgrims' Economic Lesson

The video, presented by Steve Forbes, challenges the popular narrative of Thanksgiving, asserting that the early American colonists, particularly the Pilgrims of Plymouth and settlers of Jamestown, learned a crucial and difficult lesson: socialism does not work, while free markets foster prosperity. This historical wisdom, Forbes argues, is often overlooked by contemporary leaders, specifically criticizing "neo-communist mayors" of New York City and Seattle.

The Myth vs. Reality of Plymouth Colony's First Harvest

The legendary account of Thanksgiving describes the Pilgrims, who fled religious persecution, arriving on the Mayflower at Plymouth Rock a little over four centuries ago. After a harsh first winter, they supposedly learned effective farming techniques from local Native Americans, leading to a bountiful harvest celebrated as Thanksgiving.

However, Forbes contends that this legend is contrary to historical fact. The first harvest was "not bountiful at all," and the Plymouth colony "nearly collapsed" due to "severe food shortages and discontent."

The Failure of Communalism in Plymouth

Initial System (Socialism/Communism): Governor William Bradford, the colony's leader, documented that the initial system operated under principles akin to modern socialism or communism. Key characteristics included:

• Communal Ownership: All property was communally owned and cultivated; there was no privately owned land.
• Equal Distribution: Food and clothing were distributed equally to all colonists.
• Lack of Incentive: Those who "worked hard and efficiently received no more than those who were laggards or did nothing at all." This led to widespread resentment and lack of motivation.
• Forced Labor: Women were assigned communal chores, which they "bitterly resented."
• Desperation: Destitute settlers resorted to selling their meager possessions for food and even begged the local tribe to perform chores for "a capful of corn."

The Shift to Private Property and Free Markets: Recognizing the system's failure, Bradford and other leaders, unlike modern politicians who might ignore such lessons, radically changed their approach.

• Individual Land Parcels: Each family was granted their own parcel of land.
• Private Ownership of Output: Whatever a family grew on their land was theirs "to do with as they saw fit."
• End of Forced Communal Labor: The requirement for communal labor was abolished.

Result: Within a short period, the colony experienced a dramatic transformation. "Shortages turned into abundance," and the colony soon had a "surplus of corn."

Jamestown's Parallel Experience and the "Starving Winter"

The experience of the Plymouth colony was not unique. The Jamestown settlement in Virginia, established as a commercial enterprise funded by investors, initially faced similar economic woes.

• Initial System (Communal Store): Settlers worked for a company in a "communal store" system, which yielded "equally dismal results."
• The "Starving Winter": This period of severe hardship highlighted the system's inadequacy.

The Shift to Free Markets: Following the "starving winter," Jamestown also transitioned to a more market-oriented system.

• Three-Acre Plots: Colonists were given three-acre plots of land. The output from these plots was their own, after they met certain obligations to the communal store.
• Increased Output: This change led to output "shot up."
• Further Incentives: Under certain conditions, colonists could later acquire 50-acre plots.

Result: Food became "plentiful" in Jamestown, demonstrating the power of individual incentive and private ownership.

The Core Argument: Free Markets vs. Socialism

Forbes synthesizes these historical accounts into a clear economic argument:

• Free Markets and Prosperity: "By liberating human creativity and enabling people to discover and fully develop their talents, free markets produce prosperity." This system incentivizes hard work, innovation, and efficient resource allocation.
• Socialism and Misery: Conversely, "socialism sinks a society into misery" by removing individual incentives, suppressing creativity, and leading to shortages and discontent.

Forbes emphasizes that the lessons from Plymouth and Jamestown, along with the "more modern and ghastly ones of the Soviet Union, Mao's China, Cuba, Venezuela, and North Korea," are frequently ignored. He concludes by stating, "The government, the Federal Reserve, and loudmouth leftists don't create prosperity. A free people does."

Conclusion: The Hard-Won Wisdom

The video's main takeaway is a call to remember and apply the "hard won wisdom of the pilgrims." The historical evidence from early American settlements unequivocally demonstrates that communal economic systems, characterized by shared property and equal distribution regardless of effort, lead to scarcity and collapse. In contrast, systems based on private property, individual ownership, and free markets unleash human potential, foster creativity, and generate abundance and prosperity. This historical insight, Forbes argues, remains critically relevant for navigating contemporary economic and political challenges.