Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation by Joseph J Ellis

Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation by Joseph J Ellis

(First Vintage Book Edition, February 2002)

In this account of the early American republic, author Joseph J. Ellis, is able to provide an excellent insight into the lives and actions of several founders of the United States. He also outlines the political processes and traditions in the era and how they have defined our modern day politics. Throughout the book, I learned from Ellis that not only was the ideology that started America was also what caused it to teeter into near failure. A common Ellis theme is that most of our founding fathers knew their actions were historic and they tried to secure their legacy in history. Ellis also spends time outlining the impact slavery had on the republic, George Washington and his departure from public service, and how the relationship between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.

The book is in chronological order with the exception of the pistol duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. I believe Ellis does this for a number of reasons. It outlines how political figures postured for position, challenged others ideas, and questioned their honor. Simply know as 'The Duel', the pistol fight between Burr and Hamilton was rare event with such prominent men of the revolutionary generation. This event was significant in history due to the fact that Aaron Burr was the standing Vice President and Alexander Hamilton was the Secretary of the Treasury and it ultimately led to the the death of Hamilton. Aaron Burrs political life suffered and wasn't never elected office again. Because of the public out cry, this duel also ended the customary use of code duello (Ellis pg 20).

As the book continues, Ellis recounts several important issues and events faced in the late 19th century. With the revolutionary war ended, Alexander Hamilton estimated that the nation debt was at $77.1 million dollars (Ellis pg55). Hamilton's vision was to have the national government assume all of the states' war debt and government securities issued to soldiers to redistributed to all the states. Many southern states objected to strategy know as 'Assumption' because their debt levels from the war were mostly paid off and they objected to the northern bankers and prospectors that were buying up the soldier's government securities for a discounted price which would make many Northerners rich. Madison fiscal views and goals were in line with Hamilton's ideas, but he was against assumption because of its unpopularity in his home state of Virginia. Similar to what our politicians face today, Madison had to decide if his state or his country would come first.

Thomas Jefferson had recently returned from France to take his post as Secretary of State and learned of the impasse that Hamilton was facing with assumption.