Ellis, Joseph J. Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation. (Book Review Sample)

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Joseph John Ellis was born in 18th July 1943. He is an American historian and professor. His work extensively focuses on the period and lives of the founders of the United States of America as well as biographies of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams, the Revolution including the early federalist years. Ellis obtained his B.A from the College Of William And Mary where he was introduced to Theta Delta Chi. Ellis gained his M.A and Ph.D from Yale University during 1969. He was a professor the United States Military Academy at West Point. In 1979, he became a senior professor and taught at Mount Holyoke College. Moreover, he is Ford Foundation Professor. Currently, Ellis teaches at the Commonwealth Honors College at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. In his book, Ellis examines selected interaction of individuals who significantly influenced the early development of United States. He developed his book by considering certain events during the decade that followed the 1787 Constitutional Convention to the depict history as it was being developed.
Ellis examines how a group of talented though flawed individuals (James Madison, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Hamilton, Adam, Benjamin Franklin, and Aaron Burr) confronted the overwhelming challenges before setting the foundation of United States (4). In 1790, American had a fragile hope, and reality was uncertain. The founding fathers combined the principles of the Declaration of Independence with provisions of the constitution to develop a practical functioning of the American government. The founding brothers had conflicting personalities, but developed vital issues that set the foundation of American history. Elis examines major events in the revolutionary America and how thoughts and actions of the founding fathers in the revolution generation influenced the progress of American history (7).
During 11th July 1804, Aaron burr and Alexander Hamilton clashed. This was most famous duel in American history. During this time, Burr was the vice president. Burr and Hamilton shot each other at a distant place near Weehawken. Hamilton was seriously wounded and died the following day. Young and Nobles explain that though, Burr was unharmed, he never recovered his political reputation afterwards (45). Founding fathers feared a breakdown in the federal government that might lead to civil war. The duel was an indication showing the fear of founding fathers of the federal government breaking down. Burr and Hamilton had worked together in forming early legislation and establishing a united country. Despite knowing one another, they betrayed each in the public. The duel discloses the significance of personal reputation in the days of growing government.
In 1790, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and Thomas Jefferson met in a dinner and agreed to abandon their political differences in order to focus on paying off the national debt and to commit themselves on locating a country’s new capitol in the south. Hamilton’s financial plan for the country had reached a congressional impasse since southern congressmen opposed the proposed bill. James Madison is the leader of the opposing faction. Jefferson accepted to host a dinner for Madison and Hamilton to focus on bringing mutual agreement to solve their differences. The aim was to convince Madison to persuade his party members to support the financial plan (Antal 176). Hamilton, in return, accepted to use his influential power to locate the new capital on the Potomac River, place that benefited the southern states that Madison represented. The House of Representatives passed both two bills afterwards. Jefferson adopted a better approach as an effort to solve their disputes. He left a historical account of how he assisted to tackle issues that the new country was encountering during that time.
Slavery was a difficult issue to settle, but in 1790, both Benjamin Franklin and a Quaker delegation convinced the House of Representatives to consider ending the African slave trade. The furious southern representatives proposed the idea of abandoning slavery whereas the northern representatives tried to approach the matter without discussing liberation. Both sides failed to come into mutual agreement. The congress was unable to take a decisive action. According to Greene and Pole, this was a litmus test for the congress, and it completely failed the public by refusing abolish slavery or define the extent to which the practice should be allowed (194). The House of Representative engaged in hot public discussion. Alliances and private friendship put across their grievances. Answer to the issue was a civil war, which a dissenting group could cause. However, what the founding father feared most was the presence of a dissenting group. Founding fathers ignored the issue since they lacked strong feeling to abolish slavery. They were unwilling to lose their political influence in their states Slavery remained an unresolved problem.
In the modern time, presidents serve for two terms in office. However, in 1790s, people considered Washington’s retirement as a serious weakness. His retirement was not a sign of failure but showed his wisdom and strength. Washington understood how his influence was powerful. He was convinced that setting a two-term model for presidency would stabilize the country. However, it was considered that press criticism including his failing health might have influenced George Washington’s decision (Bederman 33). George Washington left a legacy, and he stood for national unity. He had brilliant hope for the country that enabled United States to achieve prosperity. Washington was a role model whose presidency strengthened the nation.
Soon after Washington retired from the presidency, Adams and Jefferson started contesting for the presidential election. Adams and Jefferson had been friends and worked together during the revolution. Nevertheless, they began competing against each other for the 1796 election. Even after having a forged friendship during the time of revolution, Adams and Jefferson became rivals because of their political differences. Trees presents that even during Adam’s term as the president of the nation, these political differences were seen when Jefferson was serving as his vice president (152). The most grievous resentment Adam experienced was the fact that Jefferson unfairly criticized him to gain political popularity. Jefferson became president in 1800 after successfully enduring several attacks. Since then, Adams and Jefferson never communicated any single world for twe...