Decision In Philadelphia: Write An Essay Of About Eight Page

Decision In Philadelphiawrite An Essay Of About Eight Pages 2000 Wor

Decision in Philadelphia Write an essay of about eight pages (2,000 words) in which you discuss the following: •How the author(s) of Decision in Philadelphia describe the Constitutional Convention and ratification of the Constitution •The ways the book’s description of the process, goals, and results differs from what is described in The Glorious Cause: The American Revolution, 1763–1789 •The uniqueness of the creation of the American political system. Your essay should be double-spaced and in 12-point font. Remember to cite your sources, including the textbooks. Be sure to submit your project in one Word document in APA or Chicago/Turabian format

Paper For Above instruction

The formation of the United States Constitution and the revolutionary process leading up to it are pivotal moments in American history. The book Decision in Philadelphia by Catherine Drinker Bowen offers a detailed narrative of the Constitutional Convention of 1787, highlighting the complexities, debates, and compromises that shaped the foundational document of the U.S. government. Conversely, The Glorious Cause: The American Revolution, 1763–1789 by Robert Middlekauff reviews a broader period, emphasizing the revolutionary ideals, conflicts, and political upheavals that culminated in the constitutional settlement. Analyzing both sources reveals distinctions in their portrayal of the process, goals, and results, as well as the uniqueness of the American political system’s creation.

Descriptions of the Constitutional Convention and Ratification

According to Bowen, the Constitutional Convention was characterized by intense debates among delegates representing diverse interests and visions. The author underscores the significance of fencing over power distribution, notably between large and small states, leading to critical compromises such as the Virginia and New Jersey Plans, and the Great Compromise. Bowen highlights the subtleties of the negotiation process, emphasizing the influence of key figures like George Washington, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton, whose intellect and political acumen steered the proceedings. Bowen depicts ratification as a spirited debate driven by Federalists and Anti-Federalists, with ratification campaigns emphasizing issues such as the inclusion of a Bill of Rights to secure popular support.

In contrast, Middlekauff’s portrayal in The Glorious Cause frames the ratification not merely as a political process but as a victory of revolutionary principles against the perceived tyranny of Britain and the Articles of Confederation. Middlekauff emphasizes the ideological commitment of the revolutionaries to liberty, sovereignty, and republican ideals, viewing the Constitution as a pragmatic response to revolutionary challenges. The narrative focuses on the broader context of independence, emphasizing how the constitutional process was intertwined with the revolutionary struggle for national identity and sovereignty.

Differences in Process, Goals, and Results

Where Bowen’s account centers on pragmatic political negotiations, the broader revolutionary narrative in Middlekauff underscores ideological commitments. Bowen’s depiction of the constitutional process reveals a pragmatic approach wherein compromises were essential for unifying disparate interests to form a stable government. The goals delineated involved establishing a stronger federal authority to replace the weak Articles of Confederation, addressing internal divisions, and creating a system capable of economic and political stability.

Middlekauff, however, emphasizes that the revolutionaries aimed to establish a new form of government rooted in popular sovereignty, emphasizing liberty and republican virtue. The results, as presented by Bowen, led to a robust framework with checks and balances—an unprecedented attempt at governance based on constitutional law. Middlekauff sees the result as the culmination of revolutionary ideals, even if the new government required compromises, such as the inclusion of the Constitution’s controversial provisions.

The Uniqueness of the American Political System’s Creation

The creation of the American political system stands out due to its innovative combination of federalism, separation of powers, and republicanism. Bowen emphasizes that the Constitution was not merely a product of elite compromise but reflected a profound shift in governance based on Enlightenment principles. The American system was unique in establishing a government rooted in constitutional law, with enduring protections for individual rights, and a system of checks and balances that aimed to prevent tyranny.

Middlekauff highlights that the revolutionary context imbued the political system with a distinct ideological foundation. Unlike European monarchies or colonial administrations, the American system was designed to serve a sovereign people, emphasizing democratic participation and political accountability. Its uniqueness also lies in the constitutional mechanisms for amendment, federal division of powers, and the protection of civil liberties that have persisted as foundational elements of American democracy.

Furthermore, the systemic emphasis on active civic engagement, the balancing act between state and national authority, and the innovative judiciary system contributed to a bespoke political institution—an experiment in federal republicanism that has profoundly influenced subsequent political development worldwide.

Conclusion

Both Decision in Philadelphia and The Glorious Cause provide valuable insights into the transformative period of American history, though from different vantage points. Bowen’s detailed account emphasizes pragmatic political processes and negotiations within the context of the Constitutional Convention, whereas Middlekauff presents a broader ideological narrative framed by revolutionary principles. The creation of the American political system was exceptionally unique, blending Enlightenment-inspired ideas with revolutionary ideals, leading to the establishment of a government that balanced federalism, republicanism, and individual rights. Understanding these perspectives enriches our appreciation of how the United States’ founding structures emerged from complex political debates intertwined with revolutionary ideals, shaping the nation’s future trajectory.

References

• Bowen, C. D. (1953). Decision in Philadelphia: The Constitutional Convention of 1787. Little, Brown and Company.
• Middlekauff, R. (2005). The Glorious Cause: The American Revolution, 1763–1789. Oxford University Press.
• The Radicalism of the American Revolution. Vintage Books.
• Rakove, J. N. (1996). Original Meanings: Politics and Ideas in the Making of the Constitution. Vintage Books.
• Bailyn, B. (1992). The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution. Harvard University Press.
• Ellis, J. J. (2000). Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation. Knopf.
• Adair, P. (2000). The American Revolution: A History. Atlantic Monthly Press.
• Foner, E. (2017). The Second Founding: How the Civil War and Reconstruction Remade the Constitution. W. W. Norton & Company.
• Beeman, R. R. (2010). The Civil War as a Theological Crisis. Basic Books.
• Hofstadter, R. (1965). The American Political Tradition and the Men Who Made It. Vintage Books.