The American fight for freedom is a critical part of the American history. Following the foundation of a nation, the individuals who enabled the fight for freedom and were central in the fight called the founding fathers. In the book ‘Revolutionary Characters: What Made the Founders Different’, the author provides a vivid investigation of the founding fathers. The book offers a unique point of view that looks on to the founding fathers’ live in detail. The book offers knowledge that extends beyond what is availed into the history books into an analysis of character to present their individual values as a system in which they founded guiding principles for the country. The paper offer an analysis of ‘Revolutionary Characters: What Made the Founders Different’. Gordon Wood brings to light the ethical principles of the founding fathers to bring to light the basis of moral statures propagated and applied in the democratic system today despite the difference in time. The book, …show more content…
‘Revolutionary Characters: What Made the Founders Different’, is a manifestation of principle ideas that establishes the disillusionment of the government of the time. Evidently, the focus of the book is on distinctive individuals who were detrimental to the Revolutionary period. Following this, it is evident that individuals such as George Washing ton and John Adams as well as Richard Brookhiser and David McCullough established a basis yielded by the anger of the colonial government especially in the political front. The author, Gordon Wood, establishes a critical connection between these characters and the ongoing battles in the Revolutionary period. In their defense, he presents their role in identifying the importance of good governance, which established a basis for democracy available in the 21sr century. It is by their practice of individual beliefs that the thoughts of the founding fathers established a revolution paving way for independence. Benjamin Franklin’s essay is the most exceptional essay in the book, ‘Revolutionary Characters: What Made the Founders Different’. While his role in the Revolution is quite well known, the author presents to us a man who goes beyond his own vocation to establish the country. In light of this, his association with the British Imperial World before the emergency is brought to light. He is perceived first as a collaborator as helped the renegades. However, his difference from other British collaborator is evident, in which he often questioned their Purists' beliefs. Evidently, Purism is a critical component of the country’s history and Franklin’s call to embrace Enlightenment was a call to establish an advance. Evidently, his collusion with the British establishes his role in the revolution especially for the establishment of the internal structures as well set improvement of the upcoming nation. In this case, the Wood not only establishes him as a founding father rather characterizes him into a strong leader whose industry and self-confidence establishes him as a nationalist. In a similar light, it is evident that the book ‘Revolutionary Characters: What Made the Founders Different’, presents a portrayal of critical individuals focusing on an analysis of individual characters.
In the essay on George Washington, Wood is keen to establish his connection with the movement that propagated Enlightenment. Evidently, the progressive principles were the backbone of his beliefs despite not being an actual scholar himself. In addition to this, he was a man whose disposition and individu.al character was that of an honorable person which made him an excellent candidate to become the president of the new nation. According to Wood, not only did George Washington justify and establish a new office but also he established a new nation propagating a belief of self-governance that was otherwise thought to be impossible (p. 48). His beliefs, according to Wood, established him as an unparalleled man who believed that all man had the capacity of greatness particularly in
leadership. Following an overall review it is critical to say that the ‘Revolutionary Characters: What Made the Founders Different’ advances particular theme with the most prominent being the establishment of social equality. Evidently, the founding fathers fought against an old world order that looked on to use socialization as a basis of discrimination. Evidently, social station and wealth were indeed a foundation for social advancement. While this was applicable in the world then, the basis of the practice offered no redemption from circumstances beyond control for instance being born in a particular class in that particular time. For the founding fathers, it was an impediment to great men who made substantial contributions to the nation. The advance of equal opportunity was indeed absence with socialization a means of adaptive control by the colonialists. According to Wood, the transforming pose of the revolution could not be equated to anything else as the individuals feared nothing not even death in establishing change (273). Critically, it is notable that the revolution was a challenge to normalcy and a huge risk taken on by these individuals. It is by these individual principles that the US today is a more animated society despite the disorderly nature. Evidently, the change was evident then as it is now. Most importantly, a number of the individuals managed to see the practices of equality and democracy being applied. In light with the above principles of social equality, it is critical to note that other ideals are explored in the ‘Revolutionary Characters: What Made the Founders Different’. While the foundation of the nation began with individuals like George Washington and Benjamin Franklin it is crucial to identify that the evolution of the nation to the epitome of democratic practice was established by other individuals including Thomas Jefferson, Aaron Burr, Tom Paine, James Madison, and Alexander Paine. Wood identified that the role of the founding father was entirely detrimental to the foundation which shaping attributed to the leaders who encouraged enlightenment further. Evidently, the progression of the upper class and other nobles was an advance of influence with baking of educated contentions especially in the advance of the country’s evolution in the governance. However, the moves failed to establish influence with social procedure being a critical impediment to individual advance in both politics and academics. Following the choice above to include these minor players in the book, it is critical to note that the advance of the country was impacted by the individuals who incorporated both politics and philosophy in community established policies for the advance of social equality. It is by these advances that the system of the US is well established and balance with the unification of different states. In summary, the book ‘Revolutionary Characters: What Made the Founders Different’ is an excellent tribute to the founding fathers of the nation who observed the need to establish an order of social power. Evidently, the individuals mentioned in the book are completely instrumental in the advance and establishment of the nation. Evidently, the pillars of democracy and social equality in present time are still problems that are being shaped with the dreams of the founding fathers being closer now that it was then. Indeed, the ethical principles of the founding fathers to bring to light the basis of moral statures propagated and applied in the democratic system today despite the difference in time.
However, the author 's interpretations of Jefferson 's decisions and their connection to modern politics are intriguing, to say the least. In 1774, Jefferson penned A Summary View of the Rights of British America and, later, in 1775, drafted the Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms (Ellis 32-44). According to Ellis, the documents act as proof that Jefferson was insensitive to the constitutional complexities a Revolution held as his interpretation of otherwise important matters revolved around his “pattern of juvenile romanticism” (38). Evidently, the American colonies’ desire for independence from the mother country was a momentous decision that affected all thirteen colonies. However, in Ellis’ arguments, Thomas Jefferson’s writing at the time showed either his failure to acknowledge the severity of the situation or his disregard of the same. Accordingly, as written in the American Sphinx, Jefferson’s mannerisms in the first Continental Congress and Virginia evokes the picture of an adolescent instead of the thirty-year-old man he was at the time (Ellis 38). It is no wonder Ellis observes Thomas Jefferson as a founding father who was not only “wildly idealistic” but also possessed “extraordinary naivete” while advocating the notions of a Jeffersonian utopia that unrestrained
In the book Founding Brothers by Joseph Ellis, the author relates the stories of six crucial historic events that manage to capture the flavor and fervor of the revolutionary generation and its great leaders. While each chapter or story can be read separately and completely understood, they do relate to a broader common theme. One of Ellis' main purposes in writing the book was to illustrate the early stages and tribulations of the American government and its system through his use of well blended stories. The idea that a republican government of this nature was completely unprecedented is emphasized through out the book. Ellis discusses the unique problems that the revolutionary generation experienced as a result of governing under the new concept of a democracy. These problems included- the interpretation of constitutional powers, the regulation of governmental power through checks and balances, the first presidential elections, the surprising emergence of political parties, states rights vs. federal authority, and the issue of slavery in a otherwise free society. Ellis dives even deeper into the subject by exposing the readers to true insight of the major players of the founding generation. The book attempts to capture the ideals of the early revolutionary generation leaders and their conflicting political viewpoints. The personalities of Hamilton, Burr, Adams, Washington, Madison, and Jefferson are presented in great detail. Ellis exposes the reality of the internal and partisan conflict endured by each of these figures in relation to each other. Ellis emphasizes that despite these difficult hurdles, the young American nation survived its early stages because of its great collection of charismatic leaders and their ability to ...
When the American founding fathers etched the first words into the Constitution, they formulated the timeless document around three basic principles: logos, ethos, and pathos. Essentially, the Framers envisioned a society and country where free speech allows people to utilize these core fundamental principles as a symbol of American freedom following secession from the British. In fact, these core principles were first operated in a political scheme by the Athenians and Romans. But over many centuries, these principles finally gained recognition in a revolutionary setting when they were first employed by social theorists such as John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, Jean Jacques Rousseau, and Voltaire. Following the Humanist Revolution, these same principles
Washington was the embodiment of everything fine in the American character. He had no delusions of grandeur and was second only to Benjamin Franklin as a diplomat with the French. In caring fo...
After the Revolutionary War, Washington was sick of seeing bloodshed and wounded soldiers; he missed the philosophical retreat of his home in Mount Vernon. According to Wulf, “the commander-in-chief saw the future of America as a country peopled not by soldiers but by farmers - an agrarian society that would be industrious and happy” (Wulf, 16). As a soldier, Washington fulfilled his duty to his country but as this quote clearly conveys, Washington idealized an agrarian society for the future of America’s economy. Washington believed that an agricultural society was vital to a nation that sought to define a national identity and was much more than just a profitable endeavor at the time. According to Wulf, “ploughing, planting and vegetable gardening were more than profitable and enjoyable occupations: they were political acts, bringing freedom and independence” (Wulf, 10). As a new nation, the success of an agrarian society was much more than a source of income; it was a political statement towards Britain. After the Revolutionary War, Washington and the rest of America had a great deal of pride for their nation, as demonstrated by his garden in Mount Vernon. According to Wulf, “the plants were American and that was all that counted because this part of the garden celebrated America” (Wulf, 26). When constructing his garden, Washington would only plant native species because his garden celebrated America’s success in the Revolutionary War and symbolized a nation that was
When one explains his or her ingenious yet, enterprising interpretation, one views the nature of history from a single standpoint: motivation. In The American Revolution: A History, Gordon Wood, the author, explains the complexities and motivations of the people who partook in the American Revolution, and he shows the significance of numerous themes, that emerge during the American Revolution, such as democracy, discontent, tyranny, and independence. Wood’s interpretation, throughout his literary work, shows that the true nature of the American Revolution leads to the development of United State’s current government: a federal republic. Wood, the author, views the treatment of the American Revolution in the early twentieth century as scholastic yet, innovative and views the American Revolution’s true nature as
In this book Founding Brothers, the author Joseph J. Ellis writes about American Revolution's important figures such as George Washington, John Adams, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, Aaron Burr, Benjamin Franklin and James Madison exhibit that how the specific relationships of the Founding Fathers have influenced, or were influenced in the course of the American Revolution. These men have become the Founding Fathers and had a strong connection with each other as friends fighting one another to eliminate the British from North America, and forming optimistic brotherhood eager for freedom. However, many of the Founding Fathers were preoccupied with posterity. They wanted to construct and preserve images that served both their egos and
Founding Brothers is a rather problematic title for this collection of essays by Joseph Ellis, since his group of “brothers” includes Ben Franklin who was old enough to the father of the other well known members of the founding generation of America and also a strong cameo appearance by Abigail Adams. Despite this and the author's overtly neoconservative bias leanings, this remains a worthwhile read for both scholars and the more casual reader of history as well. The arm-chair historian will likely not notice the lapse in chronology in the chapters and will surely enjoy the flowing narrative as it relates a half dozen intimate tales from the lives of the most enshrined of this legendary generation.
America was born and survived, its rough road into a nation, through a series of events, or moments in history. The founding brother’s book is about a few important figures during and after the American Revolution. These important figures consisted of Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, John Adams, George Washington, James Madison, and Thomas Jefferson. Each of these men, contributed to the building of America in one way or another. The book breaks these contributions into a few short stories, to help understand what these important figures did.
Joseph J. Ellis is an American historian, and professor on the founding period of the United States. He is also the author of seven books including, “American Sphinx” and “Founding Brothers”. Both of which have won him a National Book Award and a Pulitzer Prize, in respecting order. His book, Founding Brothers, was written for the general audience, more so students, scholars and anyone else interested in learning about how this country was constructed by our Founding Fathers. Ellis explores the great efforts each and every one of them put forth into this country. This book is a monographed oral history, because it is about one subject (the post-revolutionary time period of the United States) and it is of a sequence of events that occur in that certain time period. Ellis’ book is about a series of history events
In the making of the United States, there were many events that are important. This paper intends to highlight a few of those events including; Magna Carta, Mayflower Compact, Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation and the Federalist Papers. Many events in America’s history helped to establish the United States as a free and independent country. The Declaration of Independence in particular explains the rights and freedoms that Americans. Each document is like a stepping stones that leads to the next and building upon the pervious document.
George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were two important men who affected our nations independence and the beginning years of our country. They helped form this nation into a free and sovereign country. Yet, they were different in many aspects they shared a few common features. Both Washington and Jefferson grew up in the southern state of Virginia and like most owned land to grow and harvest crops. In growing up they came from two different class levels of living. The Jefferson family was more famous and richer than Washington’s giving him a greater advantage and opportunity to succeed, especially in higher education. After Jefferson finished regular schooling he was able to attend the College of William and Mary were he studied law. He did so under the teaching of George Wthe who was considered perhaps the greatest teachers of law in Virginia at the time. Washington however was taught by his mom mainly in mathematics and received no higher education. Washington was still knowledgeable and began to put it to use in the army to become as a young British soldier. He interred the army at the young age of nineteen were he began to learn leadership and military strategy which would prove useful in the Revolutionary War to come. Jefferson on the other hand was involved in the laws, courts, and small politics. At the young age of twenty-five Jefferson was elected to the House of Burgesses in Virginia were he served for five years. Washington was known for his great motivational speeches that would rally troops together to prepare for war and lead on to victory. Jefferson was more of a writer not a speaker and by using his skill he wrote and brought forth fresh ideas of independence and freedom.
George Washington became President in 1789 and since then has been regarded as America’s “Founding Father”(10). This grand and hero-like status is said to have “began gravitating to Washington six months before the Declaration of Independence, when one Levi Allen addressed him in a letter as ‘our political Father.’”(10). The preservation of Washington’s role as a national hero has been allowed by authors and the media omitting his many flaws as if they had either been forgotten or were no longer important. Yet by excluding these human faults, they have projected an almost god-like hero and inflicted him upon the nation as their Father, somebody whose “life still has the power to inspire anyone”(10).
Over the course of our country’s history there have been several characters that revolutionized modern day America. These characters are now only publicized in museums with little to no intellect on how important they are to our country. Although their history is taught in schools and history lectures about their success, one can think, what made these founders so special? The personality of these founders aided in their decisions on what was important to make America better. In the intensely written work Revolutionary Characters: What Made the Founders Different, Gordon S. Wood analyzes eight founding fathers such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, George Madison, John Adams, Thomas Paine and Aaron
Unlike Obama, George Washington told the Congress it was too much for the president to change partisan polarization which is the cases in which an individual's stance on a given issue, policy, or person is more likely to be strictly defined by their identification with a particular political party. Washington's speech was for the citizens of the Congress. Additionally, his speech talked more about fairness and how there should be no no separate views or local prejejuices. The fourth paragraph states, “There are similar bonds between duty and advantage, and between an honest and generous policy, and the solid rewards of public prosperity and happiness.” This quote explains what honesty and fairness does in his eyes. George Washington goes on more about never giving up and controlling the country in a positive way. Washington talks about how proud he would be to lead this country and he will be president with no reward because he loved it so much. He states in his last paragraph, “I was first honored with a call into the Service of my Country, then on the eve of a difficult struggle for its liberties, the way in which I contemplated my duty required that I should refuse any financial payment. I have in no way changed my determination about this. And as I still have the same point of view which produced this