Fact Check: Scott Reynolds Nelson, a historian at the University of Georgia, noted that in the early 1800s, the US imposed high tariffs on used military surplus items to protect US merchants.

Fact Check: "Scott Reynolds Nelson, a historian at the University of Georgia, noted that in the early 1800s, the US imposed high tariffs on used military surplus items to protect US merchants."

What We Know

Scott Reynolds Nelson is a historian specializing in 19th-century American history, including topics such as slavery, international finance, and global commodities (source-1). He has published several notable works, including "A Nation of Deadbeats," which discusses American financial disasters, and "Oceans of Grain," which examines the competition between the US and Russian Empires in grain (source-1).

The claim in question suggests that high tariffs were imposed on used military surplus items in the early 1800s to protect US merchants. While tariffs were indeed a significant aspect of US economic policy during this period, the specific focus on "used military surplus items" lacks direct support from available historical records or Nelson's writings.

Analysis

The historical context of tariffs in the early 1800s is complex. The Tariff of 1816, for example, was designed to protect American industry from British competition, but there is limited evidence to suggest that it specifically targeted used military surplus items (source-3). Nelson's work primarily addresses broader economic themes rather than specific tariff applications on military surplus.

Moreover, while Nelson's expertise lends credibility to discussions about tariffs, the specific claim regarding military surplus items does not appear to be substantiated in the available literature. The sources reviewed do not provide a clear connection between Nelson's scholarship and the claim about high tariffs on military surplus.

The reliability of the sources is generally high, with Nelson being a recognized expert in his field. However, the lack of direct citations or evidence supporting the specific claim diminishes its credibility.

Conclusion

Needs Research. The claim that Scott Reynolds Nelson noted the imposition of high tariffs on used military surplus items in the early 1800s to protect US merchants lacks direct evidence from credible sources. While tariffs were indeed a significant aspect of US economic policy during this period, the specific focus on military surplus items requires further investigation to verify its accuracy.

Sources

1. Scott Reynolds Nelson | History Department
2. A Centennial History of the United States International ...
3. Faculty in print: "Radical Tariffs Aren't New, But They Have Been ...
4. United States Army Headgear 1855-1902
5. PDF Scott Reynolds Nelson - University of Georgia
6. The Tariff in the Age of Jackson
7. Catalogue of United States public documents / ...
8. Scott Reynolds Nelson - Wikipedia