Founding Brothers by Joseph J. Ellis was full of complexity and detailed information of the understanding during the revolutionary generation. Joseph brought specific point of views and what really happened during this generation that many of us never thought of especially me, which was interesting to read. Joseph really opened my eyes to grasping information of the revolutionary generation that I never thought I would do. Ellis’s writing portrays the founders voice through his writing as if he were actually there at every moment. American history is seen as boring by some including myself sometimes, but with this book, it is showing young minds such as students like myself that America is fascinating and we should want to know all that happened …show more content…
Ellis separated the book into seven sections which he viewed America during this time as being viewed on how certain men went through tough times and how history has come to understand them which has lead them to be viewed as political leaders: Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, George Washington, Abigail Adams, and Benjamin Franklin. Each of these men contributed to the building of America in one-way or another. In Ellis’s first chapter, it tells us the story of the famous duel between Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton near Weehawken, New Jersey. This was taken in 1804 and ends with Hamilton’s death. During this time of duel, Aaron Burr was the Vive President for Thomas Jefferson. This ties back to what we have learned in lecture being that Alexander became the secretary of the Treasury for Washington and he did so in 5 steps. Hamilton was also one of the writers for the “federalist papers” which he wrote 50 essays. Hamilton and Burr were close friends who have known each other for a while and have even been on the battlefield together. So when being shot, it was a shock for Hamilton seeing Burr act differently and not understanding his ways. This chapter portrays the duel of Honor and how it matters for American history. As stated in the book: “The Burr-Hamilton duel …show more content…
Ellis tries to theorize that Washington feared the possibility of dying in office. Washington was 62 years old and was known for his heath and strength. He wished to quit while he was still strong and since there was no official rule on how a president should retire, he stepped down. Ellis considers an issue of monarch vs. president, and suggests “it was a problem of language, and a problem of personality.”(Pg. 127) History revealed that he was not a handsome man. Washington remains as one of the most popular presidents in history, because of his belief within the nation. His last words were “Tis well.” (Pg. 161) Ellis portrays through the farewell chapter that Jefferson were credited through his failures more than his successions. With Washington’s strong leadership, in my opinion, he has made a mark and impression in the Unites States that will continue
In the book of His Excellency: George Washington by Joseph J. Ellis, the author introduces Washington, the Father of the United States, in a fresh portrait focused on the characters of Washington. This book is an impressive biography of Washington's remarkable dedication to the United States history. According to the author, George Washington is an omnipresent figure as he was growing up, described as the man in the moon who was aloof and silent. This book focuses on Washington's wartime service which became some of his major contributions to the United States, rather than merely telling the true story of Washington, its main thesis is focusing on analyzing his contributions and how his governorship had affected the American history. Washington's life is divided into three areas in this book.
He clearly accomplished that and also provides the long-term themes of the book, which were bettering relationships and importance of compromise. This episode was essential to American history because this duel was brilliant and it leads to other outcomes. I learned about the lives of Hamilton and Burr and how they engaged in their political careers and how they went through thought processes. This story was very action packed and was enjoyable to read. The outcome of how no one really knew what happened in the duel was baffling.
Elli compares Washington on how he wouldn’t get injured like the soldiers. Nevertheless, as Washington got older got sick, injured and almost died. Elli claims that if Washington would have had proceeded in the next term, he would have died in office. Elli provides several quotes of George Washington leaving office and references articles from the press which was part of him leaving office. Washington left office in 1796, by resigning voluntary, that is how he responded to all the critics.
The Great Conspiracy is a book written by Donald Barr Chidsey. The book is an overview of the events that surrounded Burr after his famous duel with Alexander Hamilton. The book also includes his treason trial, and also finishes with his last few years spent in Europe and New York. There was defiantly a lot of mystery about the man and the stuff he was believed to be involved in. Many historians have tried to discover the truth behind the man this fascinating man.
Our founding fathers are known to be some of the most important men in our nation's history. These men collectively shaped our great country and helped make it what it is today. You can say their name, and most anyone would know them and be able to rattle off a list of facts they probably learned in grade school. But how much do we really know these men…the men beyond the elementary school lessons? Gordon S. Wood set out to go below the surface and look further into some of the most well know American founders in his book Revolutionary Characters, What Made the Founders Different.
Since the beginning of their political business, they have always shown animosity towards one another secretly and publicly, but what led to Hamilton’s death is the mere fact that Burr took it to a personal level.
Hamilton was “dashing and consistently audacious style developed as a willful personal wager against the odds of his impoverished origins,” while Burr originated from a more “distinguished bloodline, which gave his aristocratic bearing its roots and biological rationale (Ellis 22).” Both Hamilton and Burr had strict opposing political outlooks, and neither of them were afraid to say exactly what they were thinking, which inevitably caused “a duel of words (Ellis 32).” The “culmination of long-standing personal animosity and political disagreement” subsequently caused the “supercharged political culture of the early republic (Ellis
The Duel On July 11, 1804, the most famous duel in American history occurred between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr, the Vice President of the United States at the time. Hamilton and Burr shot at each other on the plains in Weehawken, NJ. Hamilton was wounded, and died the next day. Burr was unharmed but could never recover his political reputation. I think the reason “The Duel” was used as the first chapter was to catch the readers attention and introduce the themes of the book.
1 - Why is George Washington considered to be one of the United States' greatest presidents? In your answer, be sure to consider the times, his personal qualities, and his legacy. How and why does Washington live on in the American memory? George Washington, one of the greatest founding fathers of our nation today, the individual who lead the American revolution with great victory and the man who set the precedent of two presidential terms. George Washington is considered to be on the United States greatest presidents because he was a leader who demonstrated great bravery, compassion and leadership through good times and bad times, but still managed to keep the United States running on its feet.
Deadly, dramatic, and featuring two well-known Founding fathers, the Burr-Hamilton duel is one of the most famous duels in history. Former Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton and Vice President Aaron Burr met at a dueling ground in Weehawken, New Jersey on July 11, 1804. Hamilton shot high—perhaps deliberately, perhaps not. Burr shot Hamilton in his abdomen, pierced his liver, and lodged in his spine. He died the next day.
Leader, a title most wish to earn, and when earned its hardships are realized in accordance. Periodically, such textbook examples are bound to appear, and so it did in 1776, when America’s proud chief George Washington became a leader and through the conquest of Cambridge and Boston, the loss at New York and flee from it likewise, and the final turning point by winning in Trenton and Princeton, showcases the above as true. Through telling of his story by David McCullough in 1776, with use of contrast and weary diction, the author claims further that leaders aren’t great, brave men, but instead foolhardy charters that seek for the betterment of their lives. Washington realized that shortages on tents, “blankets and clothing” were becoming
Aaron Burr: Conspiracy to Treason by Buckner F. Melton Jr. tells the story of politician Aaron Burr, his hostile relationship with Federalist Alexander Hamilton, and his plan for treason in the United States. In Aaron Burr: Conspiracy to Treason, Burr is a politician, soldier, and lawyer who is an enemy of beloved Alexander Hamilton and becomes hated among many. Burr begins his political life as a soldier under George Washington. Sometime after this, he begins to learn about law and becomes an excellent politician and lawyer with wit beyond his competition.
In The Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation by Joseph J Ellis, the founders of America-Washington, The Adams, Hamilton, Jefferson, Madison, Franklin, and Burr-are discussed and examined from top to bottom. He goes back in time and goes over the events that took place then, explaining to the reader how the decisions the leaders made created the ripple effect that it had on the current time period. Periods in the timeline such as Washington retiring from The Presidency, The arguing between the North and South side over African slave trade, and the issue of the countries national debt are examples of what he discusses. As the book progresses, the reader is given a chance to view the timeline of events from a modern perspective, and
After a series of “paper wars” between the political opponents, Burr challenged Hamilton to a duel, which Hamilton accepted. According to Freeman, Hamilton accepted Burr’s challenge for a number of reasons. “In his mind, the duel; was a praiseworthy attempt to serve the common good... yet it was also an intensely personal attempt to preserve his public career. To prove to the world, and to himself, that he was a man of his word, a man of courage and principle, a leader.”
In the most famous duel in American history, both participants were casualties. Alexander Hamilton suffered a life casualty, and Aaron Burr suffered a political one. The Duel happened due to Hamilton publishing articles defacing Burr, causing him to lose political favor. The most known of these articles was reported in Cooper’s Letter. The words in this ultimately caused Burr to lose the election for governor of New York.