...Joseph Ellis is a non-fiction book that analyzes several important events in America among the nation's founding fathers, that take place after the Revolutionary War. The author goes into detail chronologically describing how these events shaped the history of the United States. Joseph Ellis is an American historian and professor. He specializes in American history, and more specifically the founding fathers of America. Ellis has an M.A. and a Ph.D. from Yale University. He has written several biographies about the founders of America, including Adams, Jefferson and Washington. His book about Jefferson titled, "American Sphinx: The...
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...Jefferson vs. Hamilton: Confrontations that shaped the Nation Thomas Jefferson was born in affluence to his father, Peter Jefferson, a rising young planter in the Virginia colony, and his mother, Jane Randolph, who held a high status within the colony as well. Due to his father’s prosperity Jefferson was afforded the absolute best in the ways of education, starting with private tutors at the age of five, then moving on to learn how to read Greek and Roman and finally taking his studies to the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg which he would say is “…what probably fixed the destinies of my life…” (5). On the other side of the spectrum, Alexander Hamilton son of James Hamilton, a Scotsman of a well-known family but never flourished on his own, and his mother, Rachel Fawcett Lavien, who had left her husband to live with James Hamilton. Hamilton’s early life was just that his father “drifted away” and his mother passed in 1768. Lacking wealth, Hamilton’s educational opportunities in his young life were nonexistent; however this did not stop him from gaining a vast knowledge of business and finance that he would later on use in his services to President George Washington. In addition to these politically influential men’s different early lives, they have their differences in opinions. Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton were not just on different issues that shaped the nation, but they were at the head of those differences. Jefferson distrusted the federal government...
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...In the 1800’s, America faced an issue: what was going to become of America? They were newly independent, free of tyranny England. America knew that everyone as citizens had equal rights, and that the central government should not have too much power. What they did not know, however, is how much power the central government should have. The founding fathers each had two different ideas: federalism and democracy/republic. The Hamiltonian federalists believed much different things than Jeffersonian democrat/republicans, and each idea has shaped America into what it is today. The Federalist Party formed during the redrafting of the Articles of Confederation. The Federalist Party was started predominantly by Alexander Hamilton, and represented...
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...document signaled America’s separation from the British Empire to the world. America is defined by the men and the minds, behind the declaration; most notably by the author, Thomas Jefferson. The boundaries of the government and rights of its citizens were crucial during the formation of this constitution since these principles were exactly the reason for the uprising of the original thirteen colonies. Thomas Jefferson dedicated most of his life to the crucial needs of America and its government in order to form a true republic of the people. Like many of the Founding Fathers, Thomas Jefferson strengthened his beliefs through personal studies and deep examination of European history. Many history books will tell that the contributing factors that formed Thomas Jefferson’s ideas of the identity of America were linked to events such as the Reformation, the Renaissance, and the British Country party. However, one man’s works continually surfaced in Jefferson’s political and even private writings. John Locke, a British Enlightenment philosopher, was repeatedly referenced in documents like the Declaration of Independence, the Notes on the State of Virginia, and the Summary View of the Rights of British America. Jefferson repeatedly used Locke’s concepts as would even sometimes use the exact same phrases. This would make Thomas Jefferson, the first ever American to plagiarize! The irony in this is that America was just now forming its own personality, one separate from Britain, but the...
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...Abstract The Enlightenment era is made up of on rational thought, ideas and reason. Many men contributed to this, but a few amongst them are Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin. Their wisdom and ideas make up the Enlightenment era to which is the backbone of today’s society. The Enlightenment Starting in the mid 1700’s to 1800’s a movement had set in based on rational thought and reason, it was known as the Enlightenment era also known as the Age of Reason. This era created ideas that shaped the political, economic and social institutions in the United States. Men in this era such as Thomas Paine, who was a politician and philosopher, Thomas Jefferson our third president as well as an apostle of agrarian, and Benjamin Franklin, author, scientist, philosopher, and statesman. All these men emphasize the importance of using reason and logic instead of superstition or ignorance. They focus on creating and writing, science, politics and other subjects in this era which influence decades to come (Age of Enlightenment, 2011). In today’s society these ideas have become relevant. Thomas Paine influences the Enlightenment politically and socially, because of his beliefs he was damned by many people in both America and England. Thomas Paine was born in England; he was a corset maker and excise officer in England, although showed interested in philosophy and science. He later in life then met up with Benjamin Franklin in London and soon after he sailed to Philadelphia...
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...sadness, and doubt. In these grave situations, inspiring historic leaders have stepped out of the masses to help lead America to be one of the top economic, political, and social countries in the world. The leadership of some Americans over the first centuries as a country is awe-inspiring. In periods throughout history, when America believed the country was on the brink of failure, determined leaders stepped in, to assist the country back to full success. After wars between countries, oppression of citizens,...
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...In what ways did the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark Expedition have an impact on westward expansion and how did Jefferson's message to Congress (1803) show his vision for the new republic? The reasons why the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis Clark Expedition had an impact on the westward expansion, including the reasons why Thomas Jefferson arranged the journey, a summary of his vision for the new republic (Jefferson’s Secret Message) and the outcome of his vision as it relates to the Westward Expansion. “The portion of their country most important for us is exactly that which they do not inhabit. Their settlements are not on the Mississippi, but in the interior country. They have lately shown a desire to become agricultural; and this leads to the desire of buying implements and comforts. In the strengthening and gratifying of these wants, I see the only prospect of planting on the Mississippi itself, the means of its own safety. Duty has required me to submit these views to the judgment of the Legislature; but as their disclosure might embarrass and defeat their effect, they are committed to the special confidence of the two Houses.” (Jefferson, 1803) Taken from Thomas Jefferson’s Secret Message to Congress of 1803. This excerpt introduces the vision of Thomas...
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...Throughout hundreds of years, America has gone through many important events that have changed how America is ran and how Americans live. Some changes are more important than others, but they have all shaped how America is today. Whether it be war, inventions, or presidents, they have all changed America into what it is. Three events that have changed America between 1776 and 1870 are independence from Great Britain, The Civil War, and the election of Abraham Lincoln. Independence from Great Britain started with a book. Common Sense was written by Thomas Paine in January 1776. It was the first document to openly discuss independence from Britain. Thomas Paine argued that people in the colonies deserved an egalitarian government, meaning they are equal and deserved rights. This started an uproar in the colonies. So congress began to discuss independence. The Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson and was ratified on July 4, 1776. This document announced the independence from Britain and began the newly independent America....
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...DBQ Essay Political parties developed in the United States because of the difference in opinions of influential figures. Our country was formed on the idea of people have there own opinion and political parties allows us to be able to give an opinion on how we believe the country should be run. To be able to disagree and not get thrown in jail. The first to do this where the parties of Hamilton and Jefferson and without this life wouldn't be the same. This is why I believe Political parties developed in the United States. There were many reasons political parties developed in our countries and it all started with the parties of Hamilton and Jefferson. They were the first and according to Document 1, they had very different ideas for...
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...tribulations, and successes in the early days there are countless well known individuals who played major roles in enabling and shaping that growth. To narrow down such a broad search to only a select three proves to be more difficult than one may think. However, even given the difficulty of this task I have in the end chosen three men, that without, this country may very well have shaped up much differently than the country that we have come to know to this day. The three men of my choice are John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin. The reason for my decision on these three individuals is because they all played crucial roles in the formation of our great country and without their key insight and the driving force that they brought it could have turned out much differently. Each holds a very important place during this time in history which will be more fully understood and unveiled in the coming pages. To better understand these roles, and these men as a whole I believe it best to look at each individually to see what brought them to be such important figures in history and how it was that their fates intertwined. John Adams was born on October 30, 1735 in the Massachusetts Bay Colony of Braintree which is now known as Quincy (Bio, 2013). John was a direct descendent of Puritan colonists whose father was John Adams Sr. His father wore many hats which included being a farmer, a Congregationalist deacon, and a town councilman. Coming from these roots John...
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...to end animosities. Due to wrangling over the legal language of the documents, official restoration was not made until 1800 in the Convention of 1800, for France was still bothering American ships, but the countries had ceased any thoughts of war two years before. To Adams, this was a huge relief. The young country he led had only just started to prosper after conflict with Britain during the Revolutionary War, and another war would cripple this progress. Adams had done his country a great service. Much can be learned from his example here: in the face of a vengeful thirst for war on the part of his country to “pay back” France for her actions, Adams sought peace rather than swaying with the wind, and by mediating the situation the way he did, he saved his country from possible ruin and certain instability. The biggest hurdle of his presidency was successfully leaped; his country was saved from war; and Adams was all too soon facing more political...
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...The Louisiana Purchase has shaped modern day America. The Louisiana Purchase was the United States buying the Louisiana territory from the French. Contrary to popular belief the Louisiana Purchase was much more than just the state of Louisiana. The territory was 828,000 square miles, stretching from Louisiana all the way to Montana, which is equivalent to 529,920,000 acres. This was easily the largest land purchase in United States history. A grand total of around 15 million dollars for the whole thing which is about paying just a little less than $.42 an acre, this was arguably the easiest expansion of the United States ever. The Louisiana Purchase was not as easy of a decision as we know now back then. It was full of political controversy...
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...George Washington Shaped America into Greatness Amanda Villeso American History Mr. David 4-24-17 “Give me liberty or give me death”(“Patrick Henry’s “Liberty or Death” Speech.”). George Washington definitely applied this saying when fighting in the Revolutionary War. Washington being called the Father of His Country has done many wonderful things for everyone. Being the leader of the Patriots, he had lived a successful and long life. Thomas Jefferson said “On the whole, his character was, in its mass, perfect, in nothing bad, in a few points indifferent; and it may truly be said that never did a nature and fortune combine more perfectly to make a man great…” (“Revolutionary-War.net.” “Greatest Stories Ever Told”) To think it all started here and in the end people like Jefferson would be saying things like this about him. George Washington’s family, education, and military career has helped America become a better country for all....
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...April 10, 2014 American History Final Essay Throughout American history, democracy has been an ever changing system of government; however it is far from perfect. It is constantly shaped by wealth and people of higher power. This played a significant role throughout the early 1800s in limiting the power of African Americans and people of lower socioeconomic statuses. These issues began to rise between the Jeffersonian and Jacksonian democracy from the start of the American Revolution through the Civil War. During this time period, a vast number of changes were implemented into the system of democracy, many of which still remain active today. Democracy created a variety of conflicts between the “Whigs” and the Democrats during the mid-1830s. These battles were fueled by their different beliefs regarding the economic issues of policy, political leaders and different class powers. “Like the Federalist of the 1790s, the Whigs wanted a political world dominated by men of ability and wealth” (Henretta 313). The majority of Whigs were yeomen whites who did not support the power of democrats who were mainly planters (313). These planters were driven by the sole purpose to acquire property and combine man labor with the world’s resources, they did this through slavery. These men believed they possessed the right to replace government if they felt it could not properly protect them and their property (Farless lecture). Most southern planters began to blame their short-comings on...
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...April 10, 2014 American History Final Essay Throughout American history, democracy has been an ever changing system of government; however it is far from perfect. It is constantly shaped by wealth and people of higher power. This played a significant role throughout the early 1800s in limiting the power of African Americans and people of lower socioeconomic statuses. These issues began to rise between the Jeffersonian and Jacksonian democracy from the start of the American Revolution through the Civil War. During this time period, a vast number of changes were implemented into the system of democracy, many of which still remain active today. Democracy created a variety of conflicts between the “Whigs” and the Democrats during the mid-1830s. These battles were fueled by their different beliefs regarding the economic issues of policy, political leaders and different class powers. “Like the Federalist of the 1790s, the Whigs wanted a political world dominated by men of ability and wealth” (Henretta 313). The majority of Whigs were yeomen whites who did not support the power of democrats who were mainly planters (313). These planters were driven by the sole purpose to acquire property and combine man labor with the world’s resources, they did this through slavery. These men believed they possessed the right to replace government if they felt it could not properly protect them and their property (Farless lecture). Most southern planters began to blame their short-comings on...
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