Samantha Marciano US History: Jacobsen Founding Brothers By Joseph Ellis Citation

November 9, 2011 Book Sale Project

Ellis. Joseph J. Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2000. 162-249. Print. Quotation Quotation Chosen (From Chapter 6; Kindle Booksno page number available) The artifice required to shape a major work of history or philosophy was not in him [John Adams]. But he was a natural contrarian, a born critic, whose fullest energies manifested themselves in the act of doing intellectual isometric exercises against the fixed objects presented by someone elses ideas. Jefferson now became the fixed object against which he strained. This quote does a good job of encapsulating the nature of the complicated relationship of Adams and Jefferson. It also contrasts the intellectual styles of Adams and Jefferson, two of the most profound thinkers of American History. Their relationship and philosophies prove to be of enduring relevance to political, and national, history. Why Chosen

Interesting Facts (From Chapter 5; Kindle Booksno page number available) Jefferson and Adams were frenemies. Their friendship was formed based their shared love for intellectual discussion, and pursuit of knowledge. They differed, however, in their philosophies of how to preserve the success of the Revolution, and were on opposite political sides; Jefferson was a member of the Democrat-Republican party, while Adams was a member of the Federalist

Party. They both ran for the election of 1796, despite their pretense that they didnt want office. When Adams beat Jefferson by a mere 3 votes, Adams became President, and Jefferson Vice President. However, their clashing of politics led to the split of their political, and personal, alliance, and they did not speak to each other for 11 years until their passing of letters in 1812 due to Benjamin Rushs matchmaking. Alexander Hamilton and John Adams had a continuing rivalry, despite being members of the same political party. There was always a sort of competition between them to be George Washingtons favorite. The tensions between them became especially heated when Adams tried to make peace with France through diplomatic means, as Hamilton, who was the head of the army, preferred war. As a result, Hamilton wrote a stinging condemnation and circulated it among the Federalists, Adams and Hamiltons own; this would be the second biggest obstacle in Adams reelection. John Adams relied on Abigail Adams advice, as she became his one member cabinet. She convinced him to pass the Alien and Sedition Acts, which limited the right to freedom of speech for journalists, and subjected seditionists to being arrested. Immediately there was resentment from both political parties, as they felt this was against the Constitution. This act later becomes ground for Adams to be accused of being a monarchist, which contributes to his not being reelected for a second term in 1800. Another reason for his not being reelected was his trying to make peace with France through diplomatic means. It is unfortunate that just after the election of 1800, John Adams achieved his goal of peace with France, but his success came too late for him to be reelected. While the Republican Party candidates, Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr, conspired to take the presidency from John Adams. However, they ended up tying and the presidency had to be decided by the House of Representatives. Alexander Hamilton described Aaron Burr as sneaky, untrustworthy, and power hungry, and as a result, Jefferson became president; Adams did not

attend Jeffersons inauguration. Later, Aaron Burr sought the governorship of New York, and Hamiltons influence blocked him. As a result Burr challenged Hamilton to a duel, which ended Hamiltons life and Burrs career. It is ironic that Thomas Jefferson wrote, All men are created equal, but owned slaves for the majority of his life. In fact, he was accused of having a child with one of his female slaves, and then enslaving his own child. Book Sale The Founding Brothers: that extraordinary men came together during extraordinary circumstances and formed a nation will be a story that will survive for centuries to come. Ellis in his Founding brothers conveys the history, the politics, and also the personal tales of the players involved in the founding of the United States of America. He explains to us the selfless, and sometimes, the selfish motivations that drove these men to extraordinary heights of power, and their legendary iconic statuses. By reading this book you will learn the history of our nation, and how much the past is like the present. While the founding brothers were great politicians they were also human, and so we are reminded to be forgiving of contemporary politicians and their human flaws. The founding brothers are united by their love for America, their pride in their accomplishments, and their desires to keep learning.