A book report on Founding Fathers

A book report on Founding Fathers

Joseph Ellis, the Founding Fathers, provide an insight into the lives of revolutionary leaders who played a critical role in the struggle for independence in America. Likewise, it talks of the figures who drafted several documentations that would allow America to become a democratic nation. Contrary to discussing the most obvious things about the founding fathers, the book takes a look at some of the private events which occurred in their lives and how such matters might have played a significant role in influencing American politics. As the book title states, it focuses on eight critical figures involved in founding America. The people discussed they are: George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, Abigail Adams, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams. To convey its message, the book tells the story of the leaders in six chapters with the objectives of showing the close relationship between them, revolutionary role in the nation’s politics, the fact that they knew they were shaping the nation’s future and their inactiveness when it came to slavery. The report thus discusses Joseph Elli’s book by highlighting its chapter summaries, its suggestion on slavery, and what would have been the ideal solution to the issue.

The first chapter of the book discusses the famous July 11^th duel of 1804 between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. The contest took place in New Jersey as a result of Hamilton honoring Burr’s invitation. Hamilton is portrayed as a person who never felt the need to turn down a challenge. The purpose of the duel was to settle their political rivalries, which had seen the two accuse each other of the political misfortunes that they each faced. One of their longest political rivalries had seen Burr blamed Hamilton for the embarrassing failure he encountered in the New York gubernatorial elections during the previous year’s elections. The duel would result in Hamilton’s death with Burr fleeing to Georgia and his political career tumbling. It is from the duel that the nation’s political leaders learned of the importance of a good reputation in leadership.

The second chapter of the book talks of a dinner that occurred in Jefferson’s house, where the famous Compromise of 1790 was struck. The dinner involved Jefferson acting as the negotiator between Madison and Hamilton regarding the political decision that disturbed them. While Hamilton’s financial plan for the Federal government to assume all states debts was stuck in Congress, Madison had difficulties in receiving support for where to locate the capital city. The meeting’s resolution was that Madison would allow the passage of Hamilton’s law in exchange for the national city to be located at the Potomac. The 1790 compromise is viewed as having played a significant role in averting a political crisis that would have divided the nation even though the underlying issues were not well addressed.

The third chapter of the book highlights the issue of slavery and the various petitions forwarded to Congress, appealing for an end to the slave trade. The chapter shows the delicate nature of the slave issue, given the fact that there was a clause in the Declaration of Independence barring Congress from talking on slavery until 1808. The fact that the problem was not to be spoken about thus threatened to divide the nation along the lines of states who supported slavery and those opposed to it. Despite the ban, Benjamin Franklin was among those who signed the petition to end slavery. The events that occurred would later reveal reluctance by the founding father to talk of enslavement even though they supported its abolition. The failure to address slavery issue in the Congress by the founding fathers was linked to their fear of divisions in the country.

The fourth chapter discusses George Washington’s end of the second term as the American president and his farewell letter. It shows off a politically charged nation that resulted in war between federalists and republicans, with Thomas Jefferson indicating strong opposition to Federalism and blaming Washington for being weak in allowing the events to happen. Washington, aided by Hamilton, prepares a well-written farewell but fails to touch on specific subjects such as the issue of slavery.

In chapter five, Ellis talks of the first highly contested elections in the United States. The polls saw John Adams compete against his friend Thomas Jefferson. The two were considered close friends who had been united by the revolutionary. However, there were significant political differences that threatened to destroy their friendship, especially during the presidential elections campaign period. In the end, Adams beat Jefferson by a small margin and offered Jefferson the vice presidency position. However, Adam’s woes continue, and he blames Jefferson for them viewing him as a person who rebukes uses discredits the president to gain political advantage. The next elections, Jefferson beats Adams and becomes the third president of America.

The last chapter discusses Adam and Jefferson’s friendship after a long period of silence. The two are viewed as having not spoken to each other for almost a decade. It was in 1812 that they started exchanging correspondence. They apologized for having caused harm to each other and discussed political issues such as the nation’s future. At the time, they were few remaining members of the revolutionary group leaders and talked of wanting to join their brothers. The friendship between the two continued until July 4^th, 1826, when they both died.

The founding fathers while depicted as people who opposed slavery in America as it contrasted the nation’s principles of ensuring equality for all American citizens. Even though some of them showed little effort or contradicting actions concerning slavery, they were considered as people opposed to the acts and wanted it to be ended. John Adams is portrayed as a person who, despite realizing that slavery in America would not end up suddenly, called for further laws to be enacted to end slavery and its associated practices in the country. Adams said that slavery violated republican principles, which advocated for equality for all citizens.

Thomas Jefferson’s life as a person opposed to slavery was a bit controversial. The majority of the controversy stemmed from the fact that he owned slaves. However, Jefferson wrote several writings discouraging the existence of slavery in the nation. He viewed slavery as corrupting both masters and slaves alike. Also, Jefferson hinted at slavery being against the laws of nature as it denied every person the right to personal liberty.

Even though George Washington grew up as a slave owner, his views about slavery would later change during the years, making him develop strong opposition against the practice. Washington’s changing views on slavery are seen in the words “I never mean (unless some particular circumstance should compel me to it) to possess another slave by purchase: it being among my first wishes to see some plan adopted by the legislature by which slavery in the country may be abolished by slow, sure, & imperceptible degrees.” Alexander Hamilton is considered to play a significant role in abolishing slavery. Benjamin Franklin played an active role in ending slavery, as seen in his lead role in the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting Abolition of Slavery organization. In general, all the founding fathers were highlighted as opposing slavery in America and advocating for liberty rights for all American citizens. Some of the founding fathers with slaves slowly disposed them as an indication of giving up on the practice. Also, difficulties in the Declaration of Independence barring discussion on slavery issues prevented the founding fathers from taking an active role in abolishing the practice due to fear of conflict in the nation.

I have mixed opinions when it comes to measures adopted by the founding fathers to end slavery in America. For instance, the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, which banned slavery in Northwest Territories, was not adequate as it still allowed people to won slaves. However, I find it convincing that gradual eradication of the slave trade was effective in getting rid of the act and, at the same time, preventing different conflicts that might have arose from the slavery issue. Likewise, the 1794 prohibition of out-going-slave trade gradually put to a stop selling of slaves, thus discouraging slavery. The act was further enhanced in 1800 by prohibiting Americans from engaging in foreign slave trades. The gradual role of American founders and coming up with laws that failed to directly tackle slavery thus meant that the issue could not be addressed. The results are that the nation would remain divided for several years due to slavery concerns.

Works Cited

Ellis, Joseph J. Founding brothers: The revolutionary generation. Vintage, 2002.