Taxes on Trade, American-Made: A Brief History of United States Tariffs in Eight Acts (in-person)

Taxes on Trade, American-Made: A Brief History of United States Tariffs in Eight Acts
This presentation will examine key constitutional, political, and socio-economic debates about American tariffs from Washington’s presidency through the post-World War Two era. Discussion will center on several watershed moments, from Hamilton’s fiscal and economic program through the creation of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).
~~PLEASE NOTE: This program will focus on the history of tariffs; we will not be analyzing, solving, or contextualizing the present day situation. This program is meant to provide context. ~~

About our presenter: Francis Michael Coan was born and raised in Bristol, Connecticut, where his family has resided since 1906. He holds a B.A. in Geography and M.A. in History from Central Connecticut State University and a Ph.D. in History from the University of Connecticut. Primarily a military historian, he wrote his dissertation on the origins and early history of the Connecticut National Guard and has published a number of encyclopedia entries and book reviews on military topics. Hired as an adjunct instructor in 1991, he taught history, geography, and American government at Tunxis Community College until his retirement in 2023. From 2007 through 2019, he chaired the Social Sciences and History Department at the college. He lives with his wife, Sally, and one regal but slightly spoiled purebred Norwegian Forest Cat rescue, Countess Mia Inga Theresa Skogkatt vom Kleinen Kastell.

Please register so we can set the community room up with appropriate seating.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Avon Library