Founding Brothers: the Revolutionary Generation by Joseph Ellis

Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation by Joseph Ellis Preface — The Generation 1. Why were the major accomplishments of the founding brothers unprecedented? 2. According to Ellis, how did the American “republican experiment” differ from the existing political, social, and economic structures in Europe? Compare and contrast the two. 3. What were distinguishing geographic characteristics of North America? 4. How does Ellis characterize the 1787 Constitutional Convention? 5. What were the liabilities or challenges that the founding brothers faced? Chapter One — The Duel 6. Why did the Burr-Hamilton duel become legendary? 7. Describe the fifteen-year relationship between Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton. Cite specific examples of their conflict. 8. How does Ellis describe Burr’s personality and character? How does this compare with Hamilton’s personality and character? 9. To what does “the supercharged political culture of the early republic” refer? 10. How did the characters and the duel represent political developments of the early republic? Chapter Two — The Dinner 11. Why did Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton think that the newly established government was so precarious and problematic? 12. Why did the assumption of state debts threaten Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe? 13. What were Jefferson’s and Hamilton’s economic policies? Compare and contrast these policies. 14. Describe the “residency question” and how it was finally resolved. 15. How does the Compromise of 1790 illustrate the disagreements among the leaders of the revolutionary era? Chapter Three — The Silence 16. What occurred in the House of Representatives on February 11, 1790? 17. Describe in detail the arguments presented by James Jackson and William Loughton Smith in support of slavery. 18. Describe in detail the arguments presented by John Laurance and Elbridge Gerry in response to the arguments in support of slavery. 19. What were the proposals for gradual emancipation? According to Ellis, was gradual emancipation feasible? 20. What was Benjamin Franklin’s role in the 1790 debate over slavery? Chapter Four — The Farewell 21. How does Franklin’s gift to George Washington symbolize how the nation viewed Washington? What evidence from Washington’s career supports this view? 22. Why did Washington retire from public service? Consider his private, public, and political concerns. 23. What was the purpose of Washington’s Farewell Address? Discuss the advice that he gives to America’s future leaders and the three salient features that arose from the political terrain. 24. Why is Jay’s Treaty considered a “landmark in the shaping of American foreign policy”? Explain the controversy/issues surrounding the treaty including the opinions of the parties, Jefferson, Madison, and most Americans. 25. A rift developed between Jefferson and Washington. What were the issues surrounding the rift? How does the rift reflect a greater rift among the revolutionary generation? What impact would this have on the nation? Chapter Five — The Collaborators 26. What were the strengths and weaknesses of John Adams as a presidential candidate? 27. Why did Jefferson not join his friend Adams in bipartisan cooperation? 28. How did Adams respond to the XYZ affair? 29. Why did Adams negotiate a diplomatic end to the Quasi-War with France? 30. What were the Virginia and Kentucky resolutions? What significance do they hold in the history of the early republic? Chapter Six — The Friendship 31. What was the significance of the midnight judges? 32. What was the friendship? When was it formed? How did it change over time? Why? 33. What were Jefferson’s misguided propositions about European affairs? 34. What does the correspondence between Adams and Jefferson reveal about their different views of government? 35. How did the dialogue, as it unfolded between 1812 and 1826, illuminate issues critical to the early republic?

These answers must be handwritten in thoughtful, complete sentences and will be due the first day of class.