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Edmund Morgan Meaning Of Independence Summary

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In his 1975 book, The Meaning of Independence, American historian Edmund Sears Morgan delves into the personal principles, fantasies, and actions of three of the founding fathers. Morgan, an eminent authority on early American history, commences his work by impressing the ways American lives would be different had the acts of the British not inspired a yearning for independence in the hearts of the American colonists. Once Morgan analyzes the characteristics of the first three presidents, he states their similar thoughts and ideas. Washington, Adams, and Jefferson all perceived the need for independence and the actions the colonies would have to take in order to gain their independence. These three men took action towards gaining independence for the colonies despite England’s inability to conceive that the colonies would ever be able to accomplish this feat. Morgan describes Adams who is a devout farmer from Braintree, Massachusetts, as limited, straightforward, and obsessed with the need to be great. Adams was limited because he was emotionally attached to his farm, but he craved fame, power and prestige which required him to travel extensively. Adams was greatly focused on politics and war as opposed to other subjects. President Adams was a straightforward …show more content…

Washington was determined to grow the nation and increase the common defense. President Washington’s seriousness about manners such as his posture and opinions of others caused people to understand that he was an adept man. Washington's character was dignified and extraordinarily reserved even with close friends. He regarded honor and economic interest as important traits, as shown by his ideals. In Washington's view, interest and honor motivated men. Although Washington wanted America to grow rapidly, he believed that America should not negatively interfere with other countries while striving to meet the desires of the

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In the year 1176, one of the most important documents of American history was published, the Declaration of Independence. Two writers had varied opinions and interpretations of this document. Bernard Bailyn, a historian, wrote his own interpretation of the Declaration. He explained how it [the Declaration] represented the “colonists’ deepest fears and beliefs.” The colonists believed that they were destined for a special role in history.

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These two pieces of evidence emphasize how Jefferson’s work for our country was crucial for our country’s development each in their own way. The Declaration of Independence was America's first act of becoming a separate nation of Great Britain. It contained the ideals of our nation, the complaints against the British king, and the arguments the colonists used to explain why they wanted to be free of British rule. Only the most patriotic men wrote it because they knew what they wanted in a

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The English settlers in the American colonies were acting as independent states well before the American Revolution took place in 1775. There are numerous examples when the English colonist decided to act on their own accord and sometimes disobey direct orders of the crown. In this essay I will outline the numerous ways that the English colonist started to defy orders from the English crown and explain how it lead to the colonists fight for independence.

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Being a common man helped him relate to the American people. He understood the hardships they experienced and saw their struggle to gain power in the government because of the wealthy class. You said this was a bad thing because he wasn’t educated enough to run the government, but he was actually better educated through his experiences as a common man. He brings new ideas never seen or used before to balance the power between the wealthy and the poor. One of these new ideas is the Kitchen Cabinet.

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He cared for the citizens of this country and wanted to make it better for them in any way. He was caring to his wife, the first lady, Ida McKinley, even he had business to attend

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He was happy with this group, but less happy with his Vice President, John Adams. Washington and Adams did not get along, and they mostly ignored each other. He devoted much of his time to working out the details of his office, such as how and when to receive visitors. Otherwise he waited for Congress to present him with bills to bring into law.

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Like many great leaders who inspired their followers, “Washington valued the people he led rather than thinking of them as means to an end” (Stallard). Washington’s soldiers knew that he respected them and saw them as equals, and that he would experience the severe hardships like they did. His humility was reflected in the way he gave people a voice by seeking and considering their opinions and ideas. The historical representation present a leader who inspires confidence in the people who followed him. George Washington, like all effective leaders, communicated with his people and had always valued their opinions on matters concerning them.

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Thomas Jefferson was known as the “Founding Father,” of America, not because he found all the states of the U.S, but because he was the main author of the Declaration of Independence on July 2, 1776. In addition to being the “Founding Father,” of the U.S., he was also the secretary of war, a republican, a vice president, and president of the United States for one term. Thomas Jefferson shaped America’s history in many ways for instance, his involvement in writing The Declaration of Independence, commencing political parties, and arguably his greatest contribution, was the Louisiana Purchase which allowed America to grow, develop, and diversify. On July 4, 1776, America declared official independence from Britain.

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The over taxed, under represented people of America needed a strong declaration showing their resolve to be free from Britain. Without the strength of The Declaration of Independence and Thomas Jefferson’s writing, the Revolution against Britain may not have been as successful and could have potentially affected modern day life negatively. This powerful document still has importance in the lives of Americans years after Thomas Jefferson wrote The Declaration of Independence. Thomas Paine’s Essay, despite the importance of, does not compare to The Declaration of Independence.

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George Washington is one of the most courageous leaders to ever live, some of his qualities include intelligence, good morals, strength, and leadership. George Washington was very intelligent without as much education as many other children of upper-class families got at his time. He studied math and surveying at school but his schooling ended at fifteen. At age 17 George Washington became the Culpeper county surveyor. He built up his wealth and bought land putting him on the road to becoming very rich.

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