The Founding Fathers Were Far from Perfect - 1392 Words

When the United States first gained its independence from England in 1776, most people believed that it would fail. This most likely would have been true, had it not been for the founding fathers that held our fragile country together. Alexander Hamilton, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson are only a few of the many political figures that helped rule the United States in the 18th and 19th centuries, helping turn this country from an oppressive monarchy to a solidified republic in only a few decades. In the eyes of many, these three supposed geniuses were similar to gods. However, just like every single person that has ever been born, they had flaws that made them different from everybody else; these flaws heavily influenced almost every decision that they made, for better or worse. For example, Alexander Hamilton was very arrogant and egotistical, contributing to his brash and seemingly aggressive personality. In addition, John Adams was very stubborn and stuck in his ways when i t came to listening to others; however, he was the complete opposite, very easily swayed, when it came to listening to his wife. Finally, Thomas Jefferson was an idealist, which in many cases, contributed to him being somewhat of a hypocrite. All three of these important political figures were obviously very influential in our country’s history, but like all humans, they had their flaws. Unlike many of the other founding fathers at the time, Alexander Hamilton was not well liked by manyShow MoreRelatedAmericas Founding Fathers675 Words   |  3 PagesPersonal Reflections of an Historian†, entitled â€Å"The Founding Fathers†. In this piece, Ambrose examines several of the founding fathers, contrasting their lives with their failings in the light of modern views on racism and sexism. He begins by speaking about the life of Thomas Jefferson. Jeffersons views on African American slavery, as well as the rights of women and Native Americans, are listed in detail. T hey are shown alongside quotes from the former president that would seem to contradict hisRead MoreInfluence of the Founding Fathers Essay981 Words   |  4 Pagesstruggle. Our founding struggled to form a perfect nation through the enactments of The Articles of Confederation, The Constitution, and also The Federalist Papers. They struggled to make a document that they could depend on in times of need, and the constitution was the one that really set the line and challenged the government to near perfection. Something can never be perfect thats why the federalist papers were created to enhance the constitution and make it something very close to perfect. All ofRead MoreThe Constitution Of The United States1632 Words   |  7 PagesUnited States After gaining independence from Britain, America was faced with the challenge of creating a new government for the people of the American colonies. The Founding Fathers first created the Articles of Confederation but after much criticism the Founding Fathers met again and created the Constitution of the United States. The Founding Fathers wanted to form a government that was unlike the British government they broke away from. They set up a government that had checks and balancesRead MoreWhy Did the Founding Fathers Create a Constitution Based on the Ideas of Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances, Federalism and the Bill of Rights?1533 Words   |  7 PagesWhy did the founding fathers create a constitution based on the ideas of separation of powers, checks and balances, federalism and the bill of rights? The founding fathers wanted to create a constitution because many believed that the national government had to be stronger than what it had been with the use of the Articles of Confederation. But at the same time they were fearful of human nature and how often it could be seen in the history of other countries such as Britain, for people in the positionRead MoreA New Look at America ´s Creation and the Founde Fathers1579 Words   |  7 PagesNearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a mans character, give him power (Lincoln). When young, it is taught that the Founding Fathers worked tirelessly to free our country from the British. Later it is learned that history is not so straight forward and that human flaw plays a central role when it comes to the themes of history. Not everything that occurs in history is an accident nor is it as honest as it would be liked. So when Howard Zinn asserts that, â€Å"Around 1776, certainRead MoreThe Election Of Presidential Ele ction967 Words   |  4 Pageselectoral votes needed to win. An outcry arose from all across the country saying that the people’s voices are not heard through the Electoral College and that a true democratic country would allow for direct election of the President. So why did the founding fathers not allow a direct election? And why hasn’t the Electoral College been reformed yet if it is so bad? The answers are simple. Our founding fathers didn’t allow for a direct election because they were afraid that the voters would be not wellRead MoreRevolutionary Characters By Gordan Wood1164 Words   |  5 Pagesthese early American leaders, especially Thomas Jefferson, shows that contrary to popular belief that these men were not some unflawed perfect beings, but they are just like us with their many fears and insecurities. These flaws appear in all of the founding fathers and this adds a level of realism to them. It also shows that flaws are a part of human nature. The members of the founding generation shared what Wood calls a devotion to the public good, a belief in the importance of public serviceRead MoreAnalysis Of The Book American Exceptionalism Essay1177 Words   |  5 PagesAmerica is truly without a doubt seen as the land of opportunity. The way that America has evolved from the beginning of it’s time to now, is quite astounding. America went from a nation that held slavery to a nation that fights for equality. Although many use the word exceptionalism in various forms. Some say that exceptionalism is deemed as wonderful, others might say that it’s a mission. The concept of exceptionalism is seen as a great thing, one that many feel so patriotic about. While thoseRead MoreEssay on Biography of Karl Marx787 Words   |  4 PagesKarl Marx is the revolutionary founding father of communism and Marxism, while Niccolo Machiavelli expounded upon the concept of realism through his work The Prince. These two concepts have bee n the foundations that various countries and governments have tried to utilize in hopes of constructing a utopian society. Karl Marx was born in 1818 in Trier Germany, studying history, philosophy, and law at the universities of Berlin, Jena, and Bonn. Karl Marx did not like the production portion of Capitalism;Read MoreNo Perfect Form of Government Essay2014 Words   |  9 PagesThe struggle to create the perfect government has been prevalent throughout human history, and has resulted in significant turbulence and bloodshed for mankind. Despite thousands of years of progress, the challenge to find the ideal government was still prevalent during the Enlightenment period. During the 18th century, numerous philosophers developed various new ideas about how the ideal government should perform its duties. Philosophers like John Locke and Jean Jacques Rousseau, for example, conceived