Americas Founding Fathers - 675 Words

This reading material consists of the first chapter of Stephen Ambroses text â€Å"To America, Personal Reflections of an Historian†, entitled â€Å"The Founding Fathers†. In this piece, Ambrose examines several of the founding fathers, contrasting their lives with their failings in the light of modern views on racism and sexism. He begins by speaking about the life of Thomas Jefferson. Jeffersons views on African American slavery, as well as the rights of women and Native Americans, are listed in detail. They are shown alongside quotes from the former president that would seem to contradict his actions and lifestyle in these regards. Ambrose also explores the legacy and accomplishments of Jeffersons life in a long term perspective. Further into†¦show more content†¦However, he argues that their failings should not be allowed to discount their accomplishments. He talks in detail of Jeffersons commitment to education and religious freedom, or the merits of Wash ingtons leadership and character. The author also attempts to show that while their personal lives may have been lacking, later civil rights movements would never have been possible without the progress our founding fathers made toward the acceptance of human equality as a concept. Ambrose discusses the ideas Jefferson put forward in his writings, including the Declaration of Independence. Many of these are in contradiction to the institution of slavery. It is suggested that the merit of these ideals should be considered in a historical context, and that the founding fathers should be respected for their willingness to propose and defend these ideals, regardless of whether they lived them perfectly. I am inclined to agree with much of Ambroses position. The fact is that the cause of human equality has been a long struggle, one that arguably is still far from finished. But could one have expected equality of races or genders before white European males dared to consider themselves all equal? For better or worse, western society arose out of a rigid class structure, one that assigned a natural order to all peoples, no matter their race or gender. When these men were born, the mostShow MoreRelated Americas Founding Fathers Did NOT Create a Christian Nation5090 Words   |  21 Pagesto that religion. It is unconstitutional and, therefore, un-American. The Christian extremists have four main arguments regarding the Christianity of America: · The term separation of church and state does not exist in the constitution. · The founding fathers were Christian and, therefore, wanted to create a country for Christians. · Our Pledge of Allegiance contains the phrase one nation, under God, thereby demonstrating our collective Christianity. · Upon the currency of the United States isRead MoreAn Unsung Hero in the Story of Americas Independence1133 Words   |  5 PagesAn Unsung Hero in the Story of America’s Independence Thomas Paine was a political philosopher, a solider, an abolitionist, and one of the most significant supporters of the American war for independence. Thomas Paine is most notably recognized for his pamphlet, Common Sense, which he wrote during the early stages of the American Revolution as a call to the colonists to join together and support the fight for independence. Unfortunately, besides this pamphlet, Paine is often unknownRead More George Washington-Founding Father? Essay1170 Words   |  5 Pages George Washington became President in 1789 and since then has been regarded as America’s â€Å"Founding Father†(10). This grand and hero-like status is said to have â€Å"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 longerRead MoreJohn Locke And The American Revolution1720 Words   |  7 Pagesthe American Revolution, even despite the fact he was a lifelong British citizen. When it comes to the Founding Fathers of the US, Locke is truly one of the most unknown Founding Father but without him, many of the revolutionary propaganda would be less effective in drawing in the supporters that it did which could in turn have greatly altered the outcome. John Locke is the true Founding Father of the US due to the fact he heavily influenced many prominent revolutionary writers. For starters whenRead MoreThree Great Men that Embodied the American Dream1381 Words   |  6 Pagesshown me that I can get to the top of my dreams and goals from starting at the bottom. For every American, having the American dream is the best goal to conquer. Benjamin Franklin was Americas best philosopher, inventor, politician, scientist, business strategist, diplomat, writer and one of Americas founding fathers. He grew up from the poor middle class and still made a huge impact on American society. One obstacle he faced was that back then in the roots of building America it was a big deal thatRead More46 Pages and Common Sense Analysis and Review Essay examples1301 Words   |  6 Pagesdifficulty, Liell aptly delivers valuable particulars of Paine’s past and associates them succinctly to the events leading up to and following the authoring of Common Sense. Like many of his American contemporaries, Paine came from humble beginnings. His father, a corset maker from Thetford, and his mother, a woman of high-esteem and an affluent household, made an unusual couple given their societal hereditary differences. It was this variance in heritage that nurtured both Paine’s familial recognition ofRead MoreSamuel Adams As A Code Her o Essay1436 Words   |  6 PagesThe founding father Samuel Adams is one of the most elusive yet important historical figures of this nation s history. Although Adams was often very private regarding his life, from what is known about the man it is clear that he played a major role in America’s history. He took part in the American Revolution and rose up when his country was in need. This is just a piece of the information that could categorize Samuel Adams as a â€Å"code hero.† A code hero, though it has several in depth definitionsRead MoreInventing A Christian America By Steven K. Green1405 Words   |  6 Pages Some form of religion can be found in every country around the world. The Constitution states that there is a separation of state and church in America’s government. Legally, the United States cannot declare a national religion that every citizen would have to follow. The First Amendment right of every citizen of the United States is the ability to follow any religion without fear of persecution from the government. However, many people would still define America as a â€Å"Christian nation.† and claimRead Morefounding fathers book report873 Words   |  4 Pagesearned his Bachelor’s degree from the college of William and Mary, and his masters and Ph.D. at the University of Yale. Ellis is currently a full time professor of the Commonwealth at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. In addition to Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation Ellis has written many books and editorials. His books include; The New England Mind in Transition: Samuel Johnson of Connecticut (Yale University Press, 1983), School For Soldiers: West Point and the ProfessionRead MoreThe Speech By Frederick Douglas890 Words   |  4 Pagesconvince the audience to more vigorously fight for the abolition of slavery. Douglas provides comparisons between the founding fathers and the abolition movement. He does this by using antithesis when he brings up that â€Å"To side with the right, against the wrong, with the weak against the strong, and with the oppressed against the oppressor!† is what the founding fathers had to do in order to fight against the oppression of Britain. Frederick Douglas use of antithesis explains to the audience