Henry George

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/henry-george

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. When was Henry George born?September 2, 1839
2. Where was Henry George born?Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
3. Who was Henry George?Henry George was a self‑taught economist and journalist from the 1800s who wanted to make the world fairer for everyone.
4. What was his main idea about land?He believed that the value of land, which grows because of community work, should belong to all people, not just the landowner.

Georgism: An economic philosophy advocating for private ownership of improvements but common ownership of land values, often implemented via a land value tax.
Economic Rent: The income derived from the ownership of land or other natural resources, beyond what is necessary to keep them in productive use.
Unearned Increment: An increase in the value of land or property that is not the result of the owner's labor or investment, but rather due to external factors like community growth.
Single Tax: Henry George's proposal for a sole tax on the unimproved value of land, intended to fund public services and eliminate other taxes.