The Young Men of 1776: When Progressives Really Wanted Progress
VCG Wilson/Corbis via Getty Images

DW Opinion

The Young Men of 1776: When Progressives Really Wanted Progress

The audacity of youth has been corrupted, but it can be a force for good as well. 

Zach Stark

It has become an unfortunate habit of some on the Right to blame our failures on an overly idealistic youth. Our country’s history tells a different story.

Audacity and idealism in young people are features, not bugs. As a matter of fact, it’s baked into our national identity. The Founding Fathers were, for the most part, young men in their 20s and 30s.

Got a tip worth investigating?

Your information could be the missing piece to an important story. Submit your tip today and make a difference.

Submit Tip