Term Paper on "Ellis Holds That America"

Quoted Instructions for "Ellis Holds That America" Assignment:

open to all *****s.

Guidelines for Essay: Samuel Adams and The Founding Brothers

General Instructions:

Write an essay in which you demonstrate both thoroughness and depth of understanding of two problems:

1. Consider the major ideas about government and public life that Sam Adams gained from his (A) Puritan heritage and then from his experiences during the revolutionary period; (B) the major causes of the American Revolution; (C) the "***** of 76" or the Whig principles; (D) the republican ideology stated in the Declaration of Independence; (E) the changes in the organization of government from the Articles of Confederation to the U.S. Constitution; (F) and the politics of the 1790's. Then use this information to explain the "contradiction" or "argument" Joseph J. Ellis asserts is "built into the fabric of our national identity." Cite an example of this argument in our present politics.

2. Consider Ellis's assertion that the revolutionary leaders were "the greatest generation of political talent in American history." Explain whether you believe Ellis is justified in making this claim and then argue who of these leaders (choose one or two leaders)- Sam Adams, ***** Hamilton, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, or George Washington - (1) possessed the greatest talent and (2) who made the greatest contribution to the founding of the United States.

Sources and topics for Essay (in reading order)

I. Read the Declaration of Independence to find:

1. The republican ideology (i.e. set of beliefs/ideas that fit together; communism) or what Abraham Lincoln called the "proposition" that is the foundation of the United States.

II. Read the text (SEE FAX) (A Short History of the American Nation, Vol. 1, Garraty and Barnes, 8th Ed.). Chapter 4 (pp. 107-117), Chapter 5 and the Constitution to find:

1. The organization of the nation under the Articles of Confederation and how the adoption of the U.S. Constitution represented a major change in political thinking and government; and

2. General background information on the politics of the 1790's.

III. Read Samuel Adams: Radical Puritan to find:

1. The Puritan origins of Adams' ideas about the role of public virtue and civic duty and the importance of localism. In your opinion, where should power be - localism or centralized government?

2. The major reasons American colonists came to distrust and then rebel against the centralized authority of Parliament.

3. The major ideas Adams expressed about government, politics, economics, and society.

4. How Adams's life exemplified the "***** of 76" or Whig Principles (see prolog).

5. The multiple crises facing the nation after the American Revolution that initiated the constitutional convention in Philadelphia.

IV. Read The Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation to find:

1. How the Founding Brothers differed in their understanding of the meaning of the American Revolution.

2. How their differences became institutionalized within political parties.

3. What major issues demonstrated these fundamental differences and how the two "camps" viewed these issues?

4. What were the greatest threats to the survival of the young nation during its first decade and how this generation "held" the country together.

Content Specifications:

a. Your paper should clearly show that you read Samuel Adams: Radical Puritan (by William M. Fowler, Jr.) and Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation (by Joseph J. Ellis) and all other sources.

b. Your essay should include a clear thesis for each problem above and the body of the paper should develop each thesis (evidence/answer) in an organized manner.

c. For each problem follow this format: thesis/intro, develop idea, 3-4 main reasons, evidence/facts, conclusion.

c. Limit quotes to illustrative points only and use quote marks.