Critical Review: American Creation

The Quartet by Joseph Ellis was a novel to provide detail of the years following the American Revolution, and how the Quartet of George Washington, James Madison, John Jay, and Alexander Hamilton each provided a quality in guiding America toward the right direction. Ellis creates a theme almost as if the reader is on a tour guide, because he explains the perspective on how America was being created between the “Second Revolution” of the years 1783-1789. But, the main goal Ellis wanted to make clear was this time period was the process of how America became a Nation. After finishing the book, Ellis was effective in making the case that the Quartet of Washington, Jay, Hamilton, Madison, as well as other major influences, greatly affected the “transition from confederation to nation.” Each Quartet presented a value in help transitioning America into a Nation, and Ellis provides excellent examples to solidify that claim.

The book Founding Brothers - The Revolutionary Generation consists six stories, each of them focuses on a significant creative achievement or failure of seven important men of the early United States. They are George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin, and Aaron Burr. Joseph Ellis has depicted these founding brothers – or founding fathers - in their efforts to lay the republic’s foundation of the most liberal nation – states in the history of Western Civilization.

When the United States first gained its independence from England in 1776, most people believed that it would fail. This most likely would have been true, had it not been for the founding fathers that held our fragile country together. Alexander Hamilton, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson are only a few of the many political figures that helped rule the United States in the 18th and 19th centuries, helping turn this country from an oppressive monarchy to a solidified republic in only a few decades. In the eyes of many, these three supposed geniuses were similar to gods. However, just like every single person that has ever been born, they had flaws that made them different from everybody else; these flaws heavily influenced almost every decision that they made, for better or worse. For example, Alexander Hamilton was very arrogant and egotistical, contributing to his brash and seemingly aggressive personality. In addition, John Adams was very stubborn and stuck in his ways when it came to listening to others; however, he was the complete opposite, very easily swayed, when it came to listening to his wife. Finally, Thomas Jefferson was an idealist, which in many cases, contributed to him being somewhat of a hypocrite. All three of these important political figures were obviously very influential in our country’s history, but like all humans, they had their flaws.

Founding Brothers, written by the illustrious Joseph J. Ellis and winner of the Pulitzer prize, is an extraordinary combination of perspectives from several founding fathers. Ellis seeks to give understanding into the people behind the acts that grant Americans the freedom they so greatly boast of, but also, Ellis seeks to show a few of the shortcomings, be they nationally detrimental or otherwise, of America’s founding fathers. Ellis, however, sums up an interesting insight into these men with his words, “The old adage applies: Men make history, and the leading members of the revolutionary generation realized they were doing so, but they can never know the history they are making” (4).

In the Founding Brothers by Joseph Ellis, we come to understand that the United States most important priority was remaining united even if the government was a bit shaky at times. In the book the amazing individuals who founded our government include George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and James Madison. The gifted leaders in our founding nation’s government went through many challenges but in the end our most valued component is remaining united. And throughout the book I’ve come to understand that this was our founding fathers goal.

119, 2009) America was starting to look weak in the eyes of other nations. The goal for America was to pay off their debt, but it was not working out as planned. It is essential to notice that governmental institutions are developed to supply certain unmet goals. Because of the failure of the Articles of Confederation it was time for a change. “Finding a new solution of a government that can identify the obstacles, but also show how different histories, traditions, and nations can be brought together.” (Samar, 2011) Therefore, a development for plans that would benefit America, and establish a stronger

It is a common misconception that the this country’s first attempt at establishing their own government with the Constitution was a success. And although the Constitution certainly has proven to be a success, it was not in fact the first attempt at creating a national government. That came with the Articles Of Confederation. A document which despite proving to be ineffective. still laid the foundation for the creation of the Constitution.

In the book, “Founding Brothers,” by Joseph J. Ellis, he captures the significant moments from the past in post-revolutionary America and the lives of every single member of the Founding Fathers. The primary members included Washington, Madison, Hamilton, Adams, and Jefferson while Aaron and Franklin were somewhat in the background. He examines the “Founding Brothers” influential moments in the Revolutionary generation and from that changing the course of what the United States would become. Even though he seems somewhat unsure of his claim, his factual research and profound specific details in the book shows his desire to reveal the importance of the “founding brothers” decision making in the disasters of the American republic. Ellis quotes, “an attempt to recover the urgency and improvisation, what it looked and felt like, for the eight most

I think it is of high importance to understand a little more about the personal lives of our country’s Founding Fathers. Understanding the peculiarities of their lives gives us a greater understanding of why they developed our Constitution the way that they did. It also gives us an excellent insight as to what was developing in their minds as they worked to develop a set of rules and standards that sets us apart from other developing nations during the same time period. I feel that delving into their psyche, so to speak, gives us a better understanding of the controversies we have today because we can form a more rational basis as to why our country was conceived in the way that it was. I have attempted to take a more formal role in our various political spectrums, and books such as this one has helped me to do so. As I pursue a Master’s of Science degree in Vocational Rehabilitation, this book sets my mind up to understand the sophisticated views and philosophies that our nation was framed under.

(Intro) since July 4th 1776 the great country we call the United States has been growing. It started small; just a few immigrants seeking a new world for religious freedoms, and has grown into a world power. It was not an easy journey though, our country experienced many struggles along the way: political disagreements over land, wars, Indian, and technological blocks. As a country we have been very resourceful; throughout history we have come together, explored new land, made monumental changes in technologies, and our thought processes. Once a country of only thirteen colonies, we have gone through great westward expansion to become a united nation of fifty states.

George Washington is a man who needs little introduction, but several people only know of him as the first President of the United States. However, he has done exponentially more than just being our country’s first leader. In fact, he is the person who made unification possible. It certainly helped that he was a decorated war hero, and was a man who adamantly supported independence. His tenure as president was perhaps the most vital as he established the precedent that others would follow. He is iconic, and an everlasting representation of our countries’ intent when it broke away from British rule. Washington was, and still is, the chief symbol and most effective promoter of American nationalism (Longmore, 2005).

“‘The disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security… in the absolute power of an individual’, “ (George Washington, The American Journey, page 266). George Washington is well-known as America’s marvelous first president, but fewer know the struggles he faces during his two terms as the country’s leader. While in office, George Washington sets a multitude of precedents that help shape the country in its early stages but, his actions meet repercussions. Washington must deal with the nation’s crippling war debt; however, the people reject many of Washington’s choices. To keep the new country alive, George Washington has to overcome the challenges he encounters, and every decision he makes influences America forever.

In pre-Revolution America, our founding fathers are deemed as a sort of savior, rescuing us from the British potentate and unlawful “Taxation without Representation”. In reflection, some of these acts carried out by our founding fathers seem quite unnecessary and ridiculous, but other ideas and innovations are without a doubt, historically and currently, revolutionary and brilliant.

When foreigners envision the United States, commonly known as America, they often visualize economic opportunities, but more importantly: liberty and equality. The birth of America could only happen with the hard and persevered works of its founding fathers; this includes the writing of the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration is a symbol that represents the entire nation and is considered to be a patrimony among many Americans. Yet, this document does not provide liberty and equality that many had expected. This is intensively explored in the study of American history. As residents of the Thirteen Colonies, the founding fathers were considered to be inferior to the British crown – King George III. Consequently, they decided to secede and make themselves the superior instead in a newly established country. As a result, the Declaration of Independence is not a document of liberty and equality for all, but rather a document for white men that also transcribes the founding fathers’ desire for superiority and the coding of white privilege.

Striving to make a fantasy a reality, the United States of America was formed. The fantasies, dreams, and ambitions of brave men and women drove the United States to freedom. However, with British provocations and colonists’ hardships, these dreams were only a factor among many others and, moreover, did not provide the structure needed to endure the realities of establishing a new state. The original document for the young nation, the Articles of the Confederation, summarized the hopes and dreams for what the country could be, but ultimately could not last against the true nature of reality as evidenced by civilian uprisings and its replacement by the Constitution, America’s founding document that continually proves more vigilant of reality. Although fantasies can seem more appealing and inspiring, reality constitutes human survival as a motivator pushing us to be successful.