Passage I.
One significant quote from passage one is, “The American giant was seen by many, both at home and abroad, as a place too large to be effectively governed as a unit. Problems of transportation and communication were staggering” (Collier & Collier, 2007, p. 19). This quote is significant because it presents the vastness of the United States as an important variable in the discussion of the Constitutional Convention of 1787. The vastness of the United States caused debates in creating the U.S Constitution, in terms of commerce, transportation and in human relations (Collier & Collier, 2007, p. 19). Dangerous geographic regions and long travel times hindered people from traveling in the United States (Collier & Collier, 2007,
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384). Madison never believed that the government could be run by the people (Collier & Collier, 2007, p. 384). Madison felt that education, wealth, and “quality of mind,” gave him and others the right to rule (Collier & Collier, 2007, p. 22)
Alternatively, James Wilson, also a nationalist, believed that the people could run their own government (Collier & Collier, 2007, p. 285). Why did they think slightly differently? James Wilson was an immigrant from Scotland, grew up poor, had to work and developed different values than a man such as James Madison (Collier & Collier, 2007, p. 280). Contrastingly, Madison was born in Virginia, had a wealthy father, and did not have to work for a “good portion,” of his life (Collier & Collier, 2007, p. 34). Madison and Wilson learned different values while growing up. While in the College of New Jersey, Madison’s education taught him that “…human problems could be solved through the application of reason; and governments should be the instrument of the governed” (Collier & Collier, 2007, p. 34). Wilson learned that the power to rule came directly from the people and that the people could delegate and withhold as much power as they wanted (Collier & Collier, 2007, p.285). Both of these ways of thinking and others were beneficial in creating the U.S Constitution because it made sure no one way of thinking dominated the creation of the U.S Constitution
He starts the chapter by saying that the Constitution at first glance seems like a cold, formal document and it gives no special property qualifications on any office- but if one analyzes the events that lead up to the creation, it paints a different narrative. He then goes on to analyze several different documents and histories from the time period such as the well known Federalist Papers to come to the conclusion that “Enough has been said to show that the concept of the Constitution as a piece of abstract legislation reflecting no group interests and recognizing no economic antagonisms is entirely false. It was an economic document drawn with superb skill by men whose property interests were immediately at stake; and as such it appealed directly and unerringly to identical interests in the country at large”
In the book “Decision in Philadelphia the Constitutional Convention of 1787” by Christopher Collier and James Collier present an exclusive glance at the creating of the Constitution and the events that made the Constitution the way people know it today. Christopher and James Collier begin with historical events that led up to Constitutional creation and a brief summation of the events that were taking place in the country during that time frame. The background that they give provides a good base for the information and allows the reader to see things through the eyes of someone living in the time. During that period, there were many challenges facing America at the time that would have collision on the constitutional convention and the outcomes that would shape the country. One of them being that there was very poor transportation routes and that adversely affected communications. For example the authors quote “The few interstate roads that existed were frequently nothing more than mile upon mile of mud wallow, cut by hundreds of streams, creeks, and rivers, most of which were unbridged, so they had to be forded, or crossed by ferry” (Collier, 1986, p.14). As a result, due to a lack of this foundation it was very challenging and time consuming for the citizens with travel and communication and diversity was usually unfamiliar to people. At the time people also faced challenges such as the country was divided by religion, ethics, language differences, and majorly economic
Though both Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson served as members of President Washington’s cabinet, the two held very different views on the newly founded U.S. government, interpretation of its constitution, and the role of the “masses” in that government. These conflicting views would develop in two political parties, the Federalists led by Hamilton and the Democratic-Republicans led by Jefferson. Although both political parties presented enticing aspects, Hamilton’s views were much more reasonable and fruitful when compared Jefferson’s views; idealistic and too strict in reference to the constitution.
“The framers of the constitution envisioned a one-party state in which partisan distinctions would be muted by patriotism and public virtue.” (Faragher, et. al, page 211) However, even in our early days of nationhood, different factions of beliefs would ensue. As Founding Fathers of our nation, both Hamilton and Madison played large roles in the evolution of political parties and many of the foundations of these parties still remain today.
Federalists wanted a strong Federal government, however the Democratic Republicans opposed it. The original members of the Democratic Republicans said that, “People would only be safe if ordinary people were in government.” They believed that the people would know what's right and they would make a lot of good decisions. The Federalists however wanted the government to be powerful. Hamilton wrote, “The people are turbulent and changing; they seldom judge or determine right.” He is right because our founding fathers agreed that if the people were angels there would be no need for a government , guess what we are not angels so we will make mistakes. To help make the people make better decisions Hamilton believed they needed a government above them. The Democratic Republicans also wanted the states to have more power and not the Government, as you can imagine there were more disagreements.
From the beginning, America has been a safe place for the fostering and cultivating of new thoughts and ideologies, but not without repercussion. This is evident in the life of both John Winthrop and James Madison. From early on in their political careers, both leaders faced political opposition. John Winthrop left familiarity in search of religious freedom and the pursuit of a life pleasing to God. James Madison, in creativity, thought of an entirely renovated way to successfully restructure the government of a nation that acted more as separate states. By using their backgrounds as a driving force for innovation they renovate governmental systems and lead the people from the ground up, inspired by Reformation and republicanism. Their implementation of government was different in emphasis, but the republican ideals behind it were the same.
First, when the political parties emerged in the 1790’s it was evident that their ideologies were vastly different. The Republican Party wanted a representative form of government that functioned “in the interest of the people.” This party, led by Thomas Jefferson, supported a limited central government, with individual states retaining a majority of the control. Jefferson’s vision was for a nation of farmers, and farmers do not need big government to survive. They feared a large central government would take away the rights of the people. On the other hand, the Federalist Party, led by Alexander Hamilton, supported a strong central government that would pursue policies in support of economic growth, which in turn would provide the freedom the people wanted. Hamilton’s followers also supported a diverse economy.1 It is important to note here however, that both parties knew they would have to become national parties in order to win any elections and both parties had followers in the north and in the south. There was no sectional divide in the parties.
What is American Imperialism? It is the influences that the United States makes on other countries. Some of the influences are economics, military, and culture. Expansionism is conquering those countries and taking over the land. Without imperialism and expansionism, our county would not be as big and productive as it is in today 's society.
He also attacked Patrick Henry, who did not believe that the Constitution fully protected Virginia and its people, in dramatic and finally successful debate at the Virginia ratifying convention . Madison and Jefferson viewed republican government as resting on the virtues of the people, sustained by the self-reliance of an agricultural economy and the benefits of public education, with government itself remaining "mild" and responsive to grass-roots impulses. This attitude became the foundation of the Democratic-Republican Party, which was fundamentally at odds with Hamilton's concept of a strong central government.
Summary- Adam and Eve bear two children, Cain and Able. Cain is in charge of tilling the ground and Abel is in charge of herding the sheep. They both sacrifice part of their work to God; Cain presenting God the fruit of the ground and Abel the fat sheep of his herd. The Lord favored Abel's offering over Cain and as a result of that, Cain grew very contemptuous and resentful of his brother. Cain murders Abel and the Lord punishes him by banishing him, condemning him to a life of wandering, and the inability to harvest crops.
Madison markedly declares that the republican form of government is the optimal instrument for suppressing the flaws of human nature and for bringing forth those qualities in man that render him supreme over all forms of life. Furthermore, Madison advocates republican government as the precise remedy for the impending situation that was becoming more and more urgent in 1787. Nonetheless, the fact remains that any government formed by man will be imperfect. Madison states in paper ten, "As long as the reason of man continues fallible, and he is at liberty to exercise it, different opinions will be formed" (123). Furthermore, "A zeal for different opinions concerning religion,...government, and many other points;...an attachment to different leaders ambitiously contending for pre-eminence and power; or to persons whose fortunes have been interesting to the human passion, have divided mankind into parties" (124). "The latent causes of faction are thus sown in the nature of man" (124). Hence, men will always
Conflicting views and contrasting ideologies have always existed throughout the history of United States politics. Alexander Hamilton, who led Federalist Party, believed that a powerful central government was necessary while Thomas Jefferson, who led the Jeffersonian Republican Party, favored an agrarian nation with most of the power left to the states. Although Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson were similar in that they both harbored good intentions and tried to keep the best interests in mind for the future of the United States, their policies were drastically different. Without doubt, both of their contrasting ideas served a vital role in forming the government.
James Madison, a founding father and the fourth president believed that with the corrupted nature of humans, a government is vital to prevent oppression. The
Alexander Hamilton wanted a national government that had complete political authority. Although Hamilton did not like state governments and wanted them to be eliminated, he knew it was not possible. Therefore, he proposed the idea of having the central government to have the most power, but allow the states to control many of their own rights and individuality. In collaboration with James Madison and John Jay, Hamilton wrote 51 essays out of 85 essays called “The Federalist Papers”. These essays explained and defended the new Constitution prior to its approval and with his effort, nine states agreed to ratify the Constitution. Alexander Hamilton led the Federalist Party, who believed in a centralized national government with strong economic roots, unlike Thomas Jefferson, who wanted a limited government. Hamilton also proposed to
Jefferson didn't like high taxes, tariffs, regulations or even a national bank. These were all in violation of the kind of society and government he wished to see. Jefferson believed in a utopia where all people would be self-sufficient farmers and have their own property, and a small government would be used to do the minimal amount of work needed to keep the peace. Therefore, an economic system was practically nonexistent.