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.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (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
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This text explores the role of the Founding Fathers in shaping the identity and values of the United States. It examines how the Founding Fathers, particularly George Washington, were influenced by historical events and their own personal experiences. The text also considers the impact of the Founding Fathers' actions and ideas on the development of American politics and democracy.
- The influence of historical events and European values on the formation of American identity
- The role of the Founding Fathers in shaping American political institutions and principles
- The impact of the American Revolution on the development of American character
- The evolution of American democracy and the legacy of the Founding Fathers
- The importance of understanding the Founding Fathers within their historical context
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introduction sets the stage by discussing the importance of understanding the Founding Fathers within their historical context, emphasizing the interplay between elite political views and the evolving opinions of the American people. It also highlights the role of the Founding Fathers in shaping American institutions and principles through their writings and actions. The chapter then explores the nature of American values, tracing their roots to both European heritage and the unique experience of the American frontier. It analyzes how the Founding Fathers embraced and articulated these values in documents such as the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Founding Fathers, American values, American identity, Revolution, Enlightenment, political institutions, democracy, historical context, George Washington, American character, legacy.
- Quote paper
- Sylwia Mazur (Author), 2013, British or American? George Washington and his identity, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/368508
