Introduction
The paper aims to study the topic of building America from the perspective of Essay Option 1. This Essay Option revolves around Joseph Ellis’s statement that the U.S. Constitution is now the result of a term named the Second American Revolution. Moreover, he further stated in his book “The Quartet: Orchestrating the Second American Revolution, 1783-1789” that a total of 13 colonies have become subordinates, which also reflects the history. The history of the years between the end of the Revolution and the formation of the federal government. The Second Revolution will also be explained from the perspective of the American Republic of 1776. In short, he proved Abraham Lincoln wrong when stated about the Founding Fathers, and that they would bring a new nation in a lasting sense.
In “The Quartet,” Joseph Ellis, the author of “Founding Brothers” kept arguing that the United States did not become a nation because it lacked the fundamental foundation values that make a country a homeland. Moreover, the phenomenon according to him of American nationhood is exaggerated and overvalued. Rather, he said that American nationhood arose from the “Second American Revolution” which was created, adopted, and effectuated by the United States Constitution. The political matter stated by the quarter, and the term of the second American Revolution basically states that America is based on systematic dysfunctions and manipulated political processes. This process led to the Constitutional Convention, and its agenda was somewhat set to state the convention’s ratification; thus, it failed to attain a foundation. The issue is the constitutional settlement without a real foundation that makes a country live for a lasting period. [i][ii]
Furthermore, the convention and constitution gave rise to the institutions and processes for reforming the United States movement and eventually ratified the implementation of the statements. Political processes involved in this are only and merely built on the basis of wrongheaded, uncooperative, and unpredictable political leadership that has led to the long-term destruction of the country. From a personal point of view, it is also stated that the case of the United States and politics has resulted in the current problems in the country. There is a reason that the United States is currently suffering due to a lack of an authentic foundation. Several leadership styles did not work in favor of America; for example, Hamilton wanted a consolidated government but could not establish it.
He also failed to demand a constitutional reform despite seven years of experience, aware of his failure he further shared his draft with Madison of a constitution. Ellis raises the larger questions that may be too bitter to comprehend, however, these are the real truths that lie beneath the deep-rooted problem in the country’s foundation. Joseph Ellis also failed to recognize a relationship between national identity in the country and the form of government. He further believed both of the country’s driving forces were not in compliance with each other. And therefore, this further resulted in a lack of sense of identity in the people.
The book also addresses Lincoln’s address at Gettysburg. However, other book reviews stated that Honest Abe’s and Ellis’s calculations went wrong; therefore, their whole argument is invalid. I disagree with this statement because such a large economy is disturbed, and politically suffering only because of the lack of a real foundation. The second American Revolution according to the author is a sensitive subject that reflects on the subtle idea that America lacks a real foundation. Other reviewers of the book said that Ellis had a greater influence on the final statements of the Constitution than anyone else. Therefore, shortcomings and the idea of a limited government were quickly observed. Although the book may lack some important facts or may have put them wrongly, it still serves as an important part of American history. The American establishment as well as its history is usually very distorted, and history itself can be easily manipulated, however, the book was able to give a clear explanation that later led to the notion of Constitutional involvement. [iii]
Joseph Ellis has authored several books; however, this has remained an important evolution in the ideas of the country’s political history. A researcher states, “His second argument is that four men were central to this transition from a confederation of very independent-minded states to a nation of Americans: namely, George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison. He further recognizes an essential supporting cast consisting of Robert Morris, Gouverneur Morris, and Thomas Jefferson.” [iv]
Overall, the American Revolution means the country’s foundation is led by others, rather than the well-known founding fathers. During the book, Joseph Ellis also recognized some important and critical issues that reflected his notion of the 13 colonies and the constitutional involvement in establishing the country. I personally agree with the idea that it was the Second American Revolution that led to the foundation of the country.
Hence, in order to support the idea the author even stated that Lincoln was historically incorrect, especially when he asserted the Gettysburg Address, Lincoln, a scholar of the Constitution himself was a consummate political who knew exactly what he was doing yet his historical inaccuracies led to some problems. The idea of a collective identity is also a part of the lack. He reflected on the Constitution by stating, “This meant that politics in America was open to a whole class of talented men – women were still unimaginable as public figures – who would have languished in obscurity throughout Europe because they lacked the proper bloodlines and inherited wealth.”[v]
He widely celebrated the idea of diversity, and further stated that the American foundation is severely rooted in racism, classism as well as separation of the outcasts from the experience of the country. A researcher further stated about the Second American Revolution that “The Second American Revolution, by contrast, pitted Americans against other Americans, Confederate slave owners, and came on the heels of a bloody conflict that ripped the nation asunder and still sparks conflict today.” These are some of the important findings of the essay. [vi]
Another point of the Second Revolution is reflected in the constitution that they heavily relied on the importance of a police society, military, and polling places. These are some of the most important aspects of the country’s current situation.
However, the Second Founder was still able to serve the country and save it from all kinds of threats that could have shaken the foundation. They are better known, but on a larger level, they were ultimately unsuccessful. The American Revolution heavily involved the violent and permanent rebuilding of the country that introduced a new, persistent set of arguments regarding citizenship, voting rights, and federal power. Hence, the discussion has proved that the foundation of America, and its establishment is based on the Second American Revolution. [vii]
Conclusion
Hence, the paper has successfully argued the topic of the Second American Revolution and its linkage to America’s foundation. In some ways, it impacted, “The political matter stated by the quarter, and the term of second American Revolution basically states that America is based on systematic dysfunctions and manipulated political process. This process led to the Constitutional Convention, and its agenda was somewhat set to state its ratification; thus, it failed to attain a foundation. The issue is the constitutional settlement without a real foundation that makes a country live for a lasting period” as stated earlier. Moreover, it is also observed that the revolution is made up of creation, adoption, and effectuation from the United States Constitution. The political matter stated by the quarter, and the term of the second American Revolution basically states that America is based on systematic dysfunctions and manipulated political processes.
References
Ellis, Joseph J. The Quartet: Orchestrating the Second American Revolution, 1783-1789. Vintage, 2016.
Ellis, Joseph J. American creation: Triumphs and tragedies at the founding of the republic. Random House Large Print Publishing, 2007.
Ellis, Joseph J. Founding brothers: The revolutionary generation. Vintage, 2002.
Ellis, Joseph J. After the revolution: Profiles of early American culture. WW Norton & Company, 2002.
YouTube. (2018). Founding Fathers in the Age of Trump. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOyTNfK87Uc [Accessed 4 Feb. 2018].
YouTube. (2018). Founding Fathers in the Age of Trump. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOyTNfK87Uc [Accessed 4 Feb. 2018].
