The main purpose of this chapter is to determine the Founding Fathers’ motives for creating the Constitution by analyzing a secondary source by Woody Holton, and several primary sources. Frist, I will begin with the secondary source, “Unruly Americans and the Origins of the Constitution” by Woody Holton. Mr. Holton’s main purpose was to locate the motivation behind the Constitution in developments in the states (page 90). Mr. Holton addressed several grievances for possible motives of the Founding Fathers’. First, the excessive democracy that acerbated many Americans, the runaway inflation caused by the farmers who were allowed to satisfy their debt to creditors with property and good instead of hard currency, and the Revolutionary War that …show more content…
Holton addressed were all valid reasons to support his argument that the unruly Americans led to the origins of the Constitution. The strongest argument made by Mr. Holton was the transgressions that the Founding Fathers laid at the feet of the thirteen state legislatures. He stated that the most glaringly representative had shown excessive indulgence to debtors and taxpayers, in which the state legislature had refused to force farmers to pay what they owed (page 92). These policies adopted by the state legislatures in the 1780s proved that ordinary Americans were not entirely capable of ruling themselves (page 96). “Honesty Is the Best Policy” (1786) “Curtis” written by an anonymous author that reads as if it was written by one of the Founding Fathers’. The purpose of the article was chastised farmers for amassing property with no means of paying their debt. The author goes on the criticize the legislature for wanting to remain popular by not enforcing farmers to pay their debt. This source supports Mr. Holton’s argument that representatives were also reluctant to load their constituents down with burdensome federal taxes, which crippled the government …show more content…
Their purpose was to address their issues and concerns with the Senate and the House and offer their recommendations for a foreseeable solution. They addressed in their petition the debt brought on by war and their willingness to pay their share of the debt, but could only do so if paper currency or some other medium were put into circulation. They claimed that the constables were selling their land and property for a half its value, and if something wasn’t done they will become bankrupt. This source addressed the emitted of paper currency from a personal perspective, which provided the reader's insight as to the way the farmers could not pay their debt, and their attempts to rectify the situation so they could pay their
The Summer of 1787 was written by David O. Stewart as a historical, non-fiction recount of the events leading to the Constitutions adoption hundreds of years ago. David O. Stewart is extremely qualified to put together such a book. Mr. Stewart is a prolific author in matters of politics and history. In addition, Mr. Stewart studied law at Yale, a highly praised institution. From his studies in modern law to reading all 500 pages of James Madison’s notes from the constitutional convention, Mr. Stewart has the motivation and intelligence to effectively narrate the time before the constitutions implementation.
Anti-Federalists Patrick Henry and Mercy Otis Warren both opposed the ratification of the United States Constitution because they believed the strong national government the document created would have the power to take away the rights of the people. Patrick Henry’s speech at the Virginia ratifying convention in June 1788 and Mercy Otis Warren’s pamphlet, “Observations on the New Constitution,” both explain their authors’ opposition to the new Constitution for a stronger national government. In his speech Henry spoke of the lack of security for the people’s rights under the Constitution. Because of that, he said, the new Constitution should be considered as a source of anxiety and fear. The people needed to be more protective of their rights,
America Afire has a total of fourteen chapters. Takes place in Washington D.C in a presidential election in the 1800s this election conserved the revolution of the American Republic with the constitution still being new during the election. Weisberger also delivers many interesting and revealing previews of life in the Republic of Constitutional Convention through the excruciating choices made, lengthens from third President of the United States Thomas Jefferson. The chapter of America Afire begins in the Convention of 1787 in Philadelphia. Here Weisberger examines the cause of growth in the first party system in the United States; James Madison had explained the Republican Party and the Federalist Party differences about winning
1.Robertson states the founding fathers were politicians because they understood how to compromise, maintain political support even while conducting unpopular political activities, and balance conflicting demands. This is epitomized in James Madison because even when he did not achieve his whole goal, he still settled for “half a loaf rather than none.” His use of political strategy and willingness to compromise, shows that he and the rest of the founding fathers were not just political philosophers, scientists, or speculators, but politicians. 2.Robertson remarks some of the key reasons the founding fathers were successful in forming a new government is because during the time period they were framing the constitution there were volatile,
In the book The Birth of the Republic, 1763-89, Edmund S. Morgan uses narrative analysis to describe an account of the beginnings of the American government. He explains in depth how the problems of British taxation made the Americans want to search for alternative, established standards to secure their own freedom, and how it led to Revolution. It is obvious, as it is shown in the bibliography, that Morgan used much research to secure his claims. He enjoys saying, “When you construct a building, you put up scaffolding. But when the building is finished, you take the scaffolding down.”
“Richard Henry Lee’s Objection to the Constitution” and James Madison’s “The Federalist No. 51” contend about the positive and negative effects of the Constitution. Both essays are important documents for early American history, and both contain valid points. James Madison, however, presents the better argument with his diplomatic, content, and logical approach. “The Federalist No. 51” begins with a question about how America can properly divide government power (Madison 1). Madison believes the Constitution is the answer because it gives the foundations and tools to keeping the power of the government for the people.
In the late 1700’s, it was America’s goal to create a republic that had a representative government that was based upon the approval of the people. Unfortunately, the people feared a strong central government because of the previous trouble the colonies had when they were ruled by Britain. They were always being unfairly taxed and had very few rights. In order to avoid this, a very weak government was developed that seemed to satisfy the people, but would not satisfy the well being of the country. It wasn’t until Shay’s rebellion which brought light to the fact that the Articles of Confederation were not going to cut it, so the Constitutional Convention was created and convened to find an alternative solution which was the creation of the Constitution.
Then the issue of inflation and the necessity of paper currency was brought to light stirring up more problems for the government. In 1785, the debaters believed and saw paper money as a means of easy repayment and prevented the need of “hard money” (silver and gold coins”; however, the farmers believed that the re instalment
Could you imagine your life in the government’s hands? Through reading the Declaration of Independence, “Speech to the Second Virginia Convention”, and “From Subjects to Citizens”, one can sense an overall feeling that the colonists believe a government that disobeys people’s natural rights should be removed. Each source shows a different perspective to how the colonists felt about the overpowering king. The colonists’ main goals was to create a fair government that abided by their natural rights. Overall, these sources show how the colonists felt about their previous form of government and the changes they wish to make in their future colony so that they don’t make the same mistakes.
William Novak presents an argument on how the history of American government has been told upside-down for many years now. Novak depicts a mighty American state, capable of a great deal and responsible for some of the most important narratives in American history. However, there were many people, of whom had great interest in the founding fathers, were irritated by Novak’s argument. The main group of people being referred to here were people from the Tea Party political movement.
With the revolution won, the colonist’s drafted the first known constitution as the Articles of Confederation. Favoring power to the separate states instead of a national government, the influence of King George III permanently ridded the conscience of the colonists from one body, or group, having excessive power over the nation. In all, the power came from the People. Regardless of the colonist’s success, however, led to more dire situations in their growth.
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION’S EFFECT ON AMERICAN SOCIETY Zachary Zion AP US History Mr. Stream October 10, 2016 The American Revolution was very influential in shaping the new society that came as a result of its success. America’s Revolution fundamentally changed American society most noticeably by replacing an authoritarian government with one that acknowledged individual rights for the first time in history. This is proven by the laws and ordinances written to protect the individual rights of Americans, the different movements intended to limit the power of government, and America’s retaliation to the multiple rights violations from Britain. The Revolutionary War was fought in retaliation to a series
A major political issue in the Age of Industry was currency. One political sect that was influential with the state of the nation’s currency was the Grange, an organized group of farmers founded by Oliver Kelley. The Grange contested for increased circulation of greenbacks, which increased inflation, thereby increasing prices of sold goods. However, the farmers did not realize that inflation would also increase prices of purchased goods.
Initially, the Third Note engaged the reader in a thought provoking discussion about the future and how American voting rights will need to change in order to accommodate the constitution. Madison’s note explicitly defined the term property and he outlined the how highly most governments regard land ownership. Madison set his sights on the future and saw the United States for what it would eventually become, and he reinforced the importance of a strong constitution that was prepared for changes in the future. Madison also provided a theoretical example of implementing a constitution that would be prepared for the present circumstances, however, he argued that the resulting constitution wouldn’t be
The Constitution—the foundation of the American government—has been quintessential for the lives of the American people for over 200 years. Without this document America today would not have basic human rights, such as those stated in the Bill of Rights, which includes freedom of speech and religion. To some, the Constitution was an embodiment of the American Revolution, yet others believe that it was a betrayal of the Revolution. I personally believe that the Constitution did betray the Revolution because it did not live up to the ideals of the Revolution, and the views of the Anti-Federalists most closely embodied the “Spirit of ‘76.” During the midst of the American Revolution, authors and politicians of important documents, pamphlets, and slogans spread the basis for Revolutionary ideals and defined what is known as the “Spirit of ‘76”.