Though often viewed as a contemporary issue, conspiracy thinking has shaped America's narrative from its earliest days. In an episode of Judy Woodruff's podcast In Pursuit of Happiness, she discusses with author Jesse Walker how such ideas influenced events leading to the nation's founding.

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Geoff Bennett:

In closing tonight, we share a segment from Judy Woodruff's podcast In Pursuit of Happiness, focusing on conspiracy theories.

Though often viewed as a contemporary issue, conspiracy thinking has shaped America's narrative from its earliest days.

Here, Judy speaks with journalist and author Jesse Walker about how such ideas played a part in the American Revolution.

Judy Woodruff:

There were actual plots. There were genuine schemes aimed at removing George Washington.

Jesse Walker, Author, The United States of Paranoia: A Conspiracy Theory: For that matter, if you are launching a revolution, you are participating in a conspiracy right there.

So - but at the same time, the Declaration of Independence includes a list of grievances outlining the reasons for revolt. It refers to a train of abuses and usurpations. What people often overlook, or perhaps gloss over from school readings, is that the Declaration also describes these abuses as part of a design.

And they state the goal of that design is to place us under absolute despotism. The founding fathers were frequently motivated by a conspiratorial view of British actions, believing not only that liberties and self-rule were being stripped away, but that tyranny was the ultimate aim, possibly extending even to England itself.

Judy Woodruff:

But are you indicating that is what the founders, or some of them, thought?

Jesse Walker:

Yes.

Judy Woodruff:

That they faced enslavement?

Jesse Walker:

Yes. There is a letter from George Washington in which he compares it to the enslavement of Black people held under similar control. I do not recall the precise wording.

So, yes, and historian Gordon Wood, who recently passed, wrote a notable piece in the early 1980s on the era's approach to evidence. Generally, there was a belief that intentions could be deduced from actions.

There is a section in Jefferson's writings, future President Thomas Jefferson, where he notes - this is paraphrased, not exact - that a single encroachment might be accidental, but repeated instances across multiple governments suggest a coordinated plot.

Judy Woodruff:

So, who was responsible for stirring it up and amplifying it. I have read about Samuel Adams and his involvement. Was there...

Jesse Walker:

Oh. Well, there were also British conspiracy theories about those inciting the Americans.

Long before any alliance with the French, loyalists believed outside agitators from France were fueling the rebellion, and that no true Americans sought revolt.

So that formed part of the overall picture as well.

Judy Woodruff:

You have suggested that conspiracy theories, from the start, have become embedded in our history and daily lives. That may sound like a strong statement to some. Do you stand by that?

Jesse Walker:

Yes, yes, yes. I write what I believe.

(Laughter)

Jesse Walker:

There is more to it, and this is not limited to America.

My book covers American conspiracy theories, but the tendency is human. All people have the ability to seek patterns and tell stories. We connect dots to understand the unseen. And much remains unseen.

Judy Woodruff:

Do you distinguish between actual conspiracies that occurred and the theories?

Jesse Walker:

Oh, sure.

We discussed the founding fathers' concerns about a plot for absolute control over the colonies. I do not believe such a plot existed. The English were adapting, much like others.

Yet real limits existed on liberties and self-government. There were valid grounds for the American Revolution. It is the more dramatic telling of events that often appears in pamphlets filled with capital letters and similar elements. So...

Geoff Bennett:

You can view the complete episode and additional content from the In Pursuit of Happiness podcast on our YouTube page or through your preferred podcast platform.