Revolution

The demise of the American Revolution wasn’t truly until John Adams took office as the second president of the United States of America. While in one way or another that work was undertaken by all the colonists, the articulation and structuring of resentment against the British Empire, and the construction of a new nation afterwards, it was largely completed by a relatively small number of men; speaking of our founding brothers- Hamilton, Burr, Jefferson, Franklin, Washington, Adams and Madison. Although these events reflect wide participation by many colonials, their direction and ultimate resolution result mainly from the fact that this group of individuals balanced personal ambition, ideology, regional materialism, and personality quirks in such a way as to achieve consensus as to how a government should be formed.

The founding brothers of America possessed the abilities to influence, motivate and enable colonials through a revolution, a war, and into a working constitution of laws. It required numerous characteristics in which the men worked together to provide. The group of founding brothers contained many different personalities and views in which worked together to fulfill a common goal for independence from Britain.

A prime example of contradiction within the founding brothers group is Adams and Jefferson. The two were an incongruous pair, a Yankee and a cavalier, an orator and a writer as said by Ellis. The two men fought shoulder-to-shoulder together against the Tories and served with each other in Europe. They returned together to serve again in developing a new national government. Adams became obsessed with Jefferson’s growing reputation as one of the major figures of the age. Adams criticized Jefferson’s character in an assessment of his presidential policies:

Mr. Jefferson has reason to reflect upon himself. How he will get rid of his remorse in retirement, I know not. He must know that he leaves the government infinitely worse than he found it, and that from his own error or ignorance. I wish his telescopes and mathematical instruments, however, may secure his facility. But if I have not measured his ambition. . . the sword will cut away the scabbard. . . . I have no resentment against him, although he has honored and salaried almost every villain he could find who had been an enemy to me. [Founding Brothers, pg. 212]

The two men had distinct opposite views:

“Each wishing to give a different direction to the government; the one to strengthen the most popular branch, the other the more permanent branches, and to extend their performance. [Founding Brothers, pg. 231]

Jefferson and Adams were two reverse men with completely different outlooks. Adams idea of a debate was that it was a ruthless argument while Jefferson felt that debate was a violation of natural harmonies. These two men were able to work together because they both shared a common goal for the creation of an independent American government.

Another man imperative to the founding brothers group was courageous George Washington. In addition to being the first president George Washington was a commander of the military and fought for colonial independence against Britain. He fought and led men through combat such as The Battle of Trenton and Yorktown which warned Britain that the colonials were ready to put up a fight and wouldn’t easily back down. George Washington was also a member of the Continental Congress and worked with other men such as Jefferson, Adams, and Madison to create the American Constitution and Declaration.

Allies within the founding brothers group were best noted as Jefferson and Madison who worked closely together. Jefferson the strategist who provided intelligence to the founding brothers and Madison the tactician collaborated on drafting the American Constitution. Because of Madison, Jefferson perused a political career. Washington too had a friendly bond with Madison. Before it was released to the press, Washington sent Madison his farewell Address announcing his retirement. Madison took part in editing his Address eliminating what could be perceived as arrogance to protect Washington’s reputation.

In conclusion, the ultimate aspect required to guide the founding brothers into leading the colonies through a revolution, a war and into a working constitution was their determination and common goal for American independence. Each mans individual qualities combined to create a superior group of leaders. They were able to work off each others strengths and weaknesses, keeping their goal, the future and betterment of America, in mind.