The American pageant

The American pageant, creating America, America’s history and US history books describe the journey of the United States from way back. All the books take us a journey of all the events that happened, which have led to the current America that we live in. The American pageant, for example, covers the history of America from 33,000BC to 2014. Also, they describe how we became an independent country, the hurdles we had gone through to make America a country with a sovereign government which can govern the people of the land.

In regards to the bill of rights and how it came to be, all books have given us a clear picture of the events that led to the creation of a bill of rights. Some of the similarities of the books include. All books describe the begging of the making of the law of liberty as when the constitution was created stating what the government would do the people. The making of the constitution in1787 was a remarkable step for an independent government- the United States constitution (Henretta, Hinderaker, Edwards, & Self, 2014). Although this was a milestone for the United States, the law had so many flaws. The main issue, according to the books, was that the constitution did not have a bill of rights. It clearly stated what it could do, omitting what it could not do as Jesus Garcia (2001)in Creating America explains that lack of the bill of rights became an obstacle that prevented many states from signing the new constitution.

Also, the existence of the federalists and the non-federalist is explained in all four books. They describe the federalists as the ones who opposed including the bill claiming it was not necessary while the non-federalist afraid of a centralized government refused a constitution without the bill of rights. Also discussed in the book are the liberties protected by the law of rights which include; the freedom of religion; the reason for people to exercise their faith or no religion without the government’s influence. The freedom of press and speech; the freedom of expression which is protected from the government’s censorship. Equality before the law; this is the right of the Americans to be treated equally by the bill free from discrimination (Henretta, Hinderaker, Edwards, & Self, 2014). In all the books mentions Jeffery Thomas as the lead framer of the bill of rights who argued that all citizens were entitled to the law of rights against the government, either general or particular. Finally, the American bill of rights motivated by Thomas Jeffery and written down by James Madison was embraced in 1791. The ten amendments were adopted in the constitution, which ultimately became the law of the government.  However, even with the similarities, the four books give us a different perspective of the bill of right came to be. The differences include;

Constitution amendments-The American pageant and creation of America discusses the amendments generally how the states ratified them. It also mentions that its ten amendments that got to be approved by the states; however, the US history (2010) describes the modifications in details. The author also mentions all the ten amendments that were ratified by the states. This books also enlightens us that the bills were more than ten; it’s just that the senate and others did not approve the rest by the states.

The bill of rights-Unlike the other books, creating America describes where the bill of rights was derived. Jesus Garcia explains that the bill of rights was derived from the law or rights of the English enacted in 1689; these were the reasons that the government warranted to their English citizens. However, other states did not find a bill of rights necessary, but they all had a republican type of government. The rest of the books just mention the drafting of the law of rights by Madison omitting the first time it was used and how it was used prior.

Federalist vs non-federalist-All authors explain that the federalist opposed the amendment of the constitution claiming that the bill of rights was not necessary. However, In American history (2014), the authors explain how the two parties came to exist. The federalist were in favour of the centralized government while the antifederalists were in favour of a loose association of separate states. It was from these two different views that the parties came into life (Henretta, Hinderaker, Edwards, & Self, 2014).In Virginia, the antifederalists led by Patrick henry opposed the new government, saying that centralized states couldn’t maintain their independent rights and powers. They proposed the bill of rights; it was meant to guard their liberties.

Concerns of not having the bill of rights-All books look at the risk of lacking a constitution differently. According to America’s history (2014), the majority of people thought the document was a danger; they felt like the government would use the constitution to oppress and tyrannize them. According to creating America, states emphasized the inclusion of the bill of rights in their constitution to protect themselves from the government. The author of America’s History also describes the antipathy towards the central government was the concern that the law did not shield the people’s rights and freedom efficiently.

James Madison-The four books James Madison has seen as the brain behind drafting the bill of rights. He is described as one with his intelligence and political skills; he argued that the bill of rights was to protect the American people’s freedom, including the protection of liberty.In United States history (2010), James Madison offers to prepare a draft of the modifications. Madison then guided the drafted changes through Congress (Deverell & White, 2010).While making the amendments, Madison also ensured that they did not make the central government weak; finally, ten amendments were made and approved by the year 1791.Deverell and White (2010) explain that it was under the supervision of James Madison that a committee to form the bill of rights was created.

States ratification-In creating America (2001), describes that four states voted for the ratification of the constitution; however, henry and mason refused to vote for the acceptance of the constitution without the bill of rights. States, including South Carolina, Massachusetts, and Virginia ratified the constitution but requested for it to be amended. The modifications went to the states for approval. According to the law, more than half of the states had to approve of the changes to be applied. Following the Virginia vote, ten amendments were approved and became law in 1791 (Kennedy & Cohen, 2007).  Also, (Garcia, 2001) explains the process that constitution was signed in a convention in 1787, however, for the constitution to take effect, it had to be ratified in 9 states among the 13 states. The author explains the importance of the number of states that ratify because it with that the constitution would take effect.

Initial congress-The American pageant describes the initial Congress as a success it effectively created the federal court system judiciary act of 1789, which included the Supreme Court. The author explains that it’s this act brought together the Supreme Court, chief of justice and other associates, he also stresses that it was during this period that the first chief justice of America was chosen; John Bay.Finally, changes were adopted in 1791, 10 of them popularly known as the bill of rights. It also describes how federal courts were created under the judicial Act 1789 organized by the Supreme Court (Deverell & White, 2010).

The American pageant (2007), describes the history of America in six parts, from the founding of the new nation 33,000BCE-1783 CE to the making a modern of America; 1945- present. The author also explains the organizing of the government, when the first president was elected, the new nation did not have a stable system when they created a constitution which was not approved at first. The book goes ahead to explain the unfinished business of making the constitution, the inclusion of the bill of rights and also the formation of the first cabinet.

Creating America, on the other hand, describes the journey of America from crossing to America. It explains slavery, both world wars, and how they impacted the making of America. The author describes the confederation to the making of the constitution, which took place from 1776-1791 (Garcia, 2001). He represents an era where the articles of confederation ran America; however, in the articles, the national government had fewer powers.

Written by Henretta, Hinderaker and Edwards, the American History content is divided into six sections, for instance,the creation of American Society 1450-1775 and Industrialization and sectional crisis 1820-1877. The book sections contain chapters looking at the sectors in-depth exploring each era. Each of the parts in the American History book began with a timeline when the events happened, the social, political, economic and cultural changes that took place in that era. In the political crisis of the 1790s, the authors describe the making of the constitution. Also, they explain how the federalist led by James Madison created the bill of rights which was initially thirteen but the states approved of ten which helped in the concerns of the antifederalist.

References

Deverell, W., & White, D. G. (2010). United States History: Beginnings to 1914. Houghton Mifflin School.

Garcia, J. (2001). Creating America: A History of the United States. McDougal Littell.

Henretta, J. A., Hinderaker, E., Edwards, R., & Self, R. O. (2014). America’s History. Bedford-St Martins.

Kennedy, D. M., & Cohen, L. (2007). The American Pageant. Australia: WADSWORTH CENGAGE Learning.

Wonded Publications. (2014). US Constitution: Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, & Amendment. Createspace Independent Pub.