Private Property Rights Made the First Thanksgiving Possible

When they came to America, the pilgrims decided to share everything. The governor of Plymouth Colony, William Bradford, wrote that the pilgrims thought “taking away of property and [making it communal]…would make them happy and flourishing.” Food and supplies were distributed based on need. Pilgrims would not selfishly produce food for themselves. In other words, they, like Sen. Bernie Sanders (I–Vt.) and many American young people today, fell in love with the idea of socialism. The result was ugly.