This bachelor thesis examines George Washington and his identity and the questions whether he identified himself more as British or as American.
In studying the Founding Fathers one should take into consideration a political elite however a more open one than those holding sway in Europe. Moreover that elite had to interact with the people during the Revolution and in the periods of the Consideration and the Early Republic. Although they may have sought to direct the course of events and they had to respond the changes coming from below as well as the changes of opinions among the people, who were increasingly willing to express their own views, and follow their own way.
One of the most disturbing theme in the studies arising doubts on the disinterestedness of the Founding Fathers is highlighting clashes of ideals and interests between different levels of American society, which caused some „ordinary people” wondered whether the American victory in Revolution was a hollow triumph. For these reasons, reconsidering the Founding Fathers within their historical context depicts the evolution of American politics and democracy, complementing these groups previously excluded from historical studies.
Another point which cannot be ignored in discussion on the Founding Fathers is that they attempted to order the world however not by force, but with words by creating and adopting a series of documentation related to political foundation: institutions, declarations, bills of rights, treaties and laws. John Adams called this period “the age of revolutions and constitutions. The possibilities and limitations of ordering the world with words is the theme described in their writings. It was the issue which gave hope but frequently caused the frustration. In this circumstances re-examining the Founding Fathers helps to recover the possibilities and purposes of political thought and action.
Finally the Founding Fathers’ reconsideration makes it necessary to review the complex story of their historical reputations, both as members of the group and as individuals as well as their legacies within two hundred years since the Revolution.
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER I The Role of the Founding Fathers in Shaping the New World Order
1.1.The Nature of American Values
1.1.1. Inherited values
1.1.2. The Enlightenment and American values
1.2. Revolution and American character in view of the Founding Fathers.
CHAPTER II George Washington : the most important Founding Father and his identity.
2.1. George Washington's ancestry
2.2. George Washington's character in pre- revolutionary times.
CONCLUSIONS
Research Objectives and Themes
This work examines the historical identity of George Washington and the broader Founding Fathers, focusing on how their personal character and the concept of a new "American character" shaped the political foundation of the United States. It analyzes the interplay between inheritance, Enlightenment philosophy, and the revolutionary experience to understand how the nation established its unique identity distinct from its British roots.
- The influence of Western civilization and colonial heritage on American values.
- The role of Enlightenment philosophy and the concept of "character" in early American politics.
- George Washington’s personal background, ancestry, and his emergence as a key revolutionary figure.
- The tension between localist and nationalist perspectives among the founding generation.
- The moral and ethical dimensions of political leadership in the nascent American republic.
Excerpt from the Book
2.2. George Washington's character in pre- revolutionary times.
George Washington's pre- revolutionary period in Virginia can be a good explanation of his character as a future revolutionary leader. This is an issue worth analysing. The Virginian was not an exile prior to the revolution in 1775 like the participants of some other revolutionary movements used to be. His revolutionary character was not created by the events in other countries or by studying modern books and essays. The Virginians hardly planned or initiated a revolution against British domination. He was not a professional revolutionary, the kind that one used to encounter in the nineteenth century. It may be discussied whether George Washington fits any of the concepts of a charismatic revolutionary leader. This term is loosely applied but in fact emphasises the revolutionary leader's personality and possibility to create political legitimacy in the event of missing established governing institutions by his popularity and behaviour.
Washington was a hero before the Revolution of 1775. He gained a good reputation as Governor Robert Dinviddie's representative to the French “intruders” in the Ohio Valley and as a military volunteer in the Braddock campaign as well as commanding officer on the Virginia frontier during Seven Years' War fighting for this colony and the British Empire. In 1758 the freeholders of Frederic County assembled in Winchester and elected him to the house of Burgesses. Winchester's town counsel named one of the streets after him. It was the first of his honours and the one before the Revolution.
Summary of Chapters
INTRODUCTION: The introduction outlines the necessity of studying the Founding Fathers as a political elite shaped by the historical context of the Revolution and the evolution of American democratic identity.
CHAPTER I The Role of the Founding Fathers in Shaping the New World Order: This chapter explores the origins of American values, emphasizing the impact of inherited traditions and Enlightenment thought on the formation of a national character.
1.1.The Nature of American Values: This section investigates the cultural and philosophical foundations that defined American core values during the period of the Founding Fathers.
1.1.1. Inherited values: This part analyzes the diverse European origins and religious heritage that provided the foundational structures for colonial American society.
1.1.2. The Enlightenment and American values: This section details how Enlightenment thinkers like Hobbes and Locke influenced American political philosophy and the subsequent development of individualism.
1.2. Revolution and American character in view of the Founding Fathers.: This chapter discusses how the struggle for independence necessitated the creation of a distinct national character and the challenges founders faced in defining it.
CHAPTER II George Washington : the most important Founding Father and his identity.: This chapter provides a biographical analysis of George Washington, focusing on his development as a leader and the significance of his personal reputation.
2.1. George Washington's ancestry: This section traces Washington's family origins and the impact of his early life in colonial Virginia on his later status.
2.2. George Washington's character in pre- revolutionary times.: This section examines Washington’s pre-revolutionary career and military experiences as the basis for his eventual role as a revolutionary leader.
CONCLUSIONS: The conclusion summarizes that Washington's enduring legacy is primarily defined by his moral character and his ability to remain a unifying, virtuous figure during the nation's most formative years.
Keywords
George Washington, Founding Fathers, American Revolution, National Identity, Character, Enlightenment, Political Philosophy, Colonial History, Virtue, Republic, Independence, Leadership, Virginia, British Empire, Republicanism.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this publication?
The work focuses on the historical identity of the Founding Fathers, with a specific emphasis on George Washington, analyzing how their personal and national characters influenced the creation of the United States.
What are the central thematic fields covered in the book?
Key themes include the evolution of American values, the influence of Enlightenment philosophy, the search for a national identity post-revolution, and the moral responsibilities of political leadership.
What is the primary research goal or central question?
The study aims to understand how the Founding Fathers, particularly Washington, reconciled their personal identities with the demands of the new nation and how their specific character traits helped stabilize the early republic.
Which scientific or analytical methods are employed?
The author employs a historical-biographical analysis, drawing upon primary letters, historical documents, and existing academic scholarship to interpret the political and social evolution of the late 18th century.
What is discussed in the main body of the work?
The main body examines the intellectual origins of American values, the diverse political visions of key founders like Jefferson, Hamilton, Adams, and Madison, and a detailed biographical look at Washington's roots and pre-revolutionary life.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
Essential keywords include American identity, George Washington, Founding Fathers, political character, revolutionary legacy, and republican virtue.
How did Enlightenment ideas specifically shape Washington's vision?
While Washington was not a philosopher by trade, the text suggests he operated within an environment shaped by Enlightenment ideals of reason and order, balanced with a deep, practical adherence to his role as a gentleman planter.
Why does the author differentiate between "localist" and "nationalist" tendencies in Washington?
The author highlights this duality to show how Washington was able to maintain his deep loyalty to Virginia while simultaneously becoming the foremost symbol of national unity during the War for Independence.
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- Sylwia Mazur (Autor:in), 2013, British or American? George Washington and his identity, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/368508
