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Founding Fathers Motives

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The Emergence of Factions Christopher Deion Smith 900751868 Georgia Southern University Abstract The purpose of this paper is to analyze state population and economic data and then analyze two published hypothesis of the possible explanations of the motivations for the political actions of the Founding Generation. To do this the publishing’s of Jim Webb and John P. Roche will be analyzed along with the census data for the time period being …show more content…

In order to more closely examine the question the data will be focusing on Maryland because it shared attributes with the soon to be states in the southern, middle and New England colonies. Looking at the first available population data available from the U.S. Department of Commerce (1977, Volume 2) the earliest recorded population for Maryland was around 583 in 1640 and in 1790 the population rose drastically to 320,000 people according to the U.S. Department of Commerce (1977, Volume 1). In 1790 Maryland had a nationality distribution of 65 percent white and thirteen percent Scotch-Irish showing that while there was a Scotch-Irish present in the state it was significantly smaller than there English counterparts, this is important when trying to decide whose hypothesis is more persuasive as Webb’s relies on the Scotch-Irish populations skepticism of the government. The economy in Maryland was made up of agriculture, fisheries, material resources, ship building and commerce with the largest sector being commerce, this is important because if there was a large import/export sector in the economy then the chances of the different acts enacted on Maryland by the British in order to tax would have a larger impact because of the taxable good coming in …show more content…

Roche. While the facts that are presented by Webb are very convincing after looking at the nationality breakdown the Scotch-Irish population did not have enough representation to be that influential and according to Webb (2005), “After the founding of Jamestown in 1607, the Virginia colony had evolved into a rigid, three-tiered society” (p. 141) this shows that while the mentioned population was skeptical of the government their main issue was the economic imbalance they were facing. That leads me to side more with Roche and his ideas that the economy was the most important variable when trying to understand the founder’s decision making. The issue that was most evident during the founder’s times was their economic situation, which the problem escalating quickly when the King began to unfairly tax them. This is evident by the Three-Fifths compromise and its relation to the taxation of slaves, according to Roche(1961) “ The southerner’s, on the other hand were afraid that Congressional control over commerce would lead to the exclusion of slaves or their excessive taxation as imports” (p. 811), this shows the argument of big versus small states and the economic debate that took place during the proceedings during the constitutional conventions. Upon reviewing all of the available information it is apparent that while Webb’s hypothesis is convincing in some areas it is not

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Michael Holt also writes how partisan politics lead to the Civil War partisans of all sides sought to define their opponents. In the book Holt contends that political decisions made from 1846 to 1858 had played a critical role in intensifying sectional hostility prior to secession and the Civil War. (Pandora's Box, Pages 3-16) Holt states that the Whig party Democrats and politicians maneuvered for a short term

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What were our Founder's intentions for Congress and Congressional elections? The founders created the United States Congress to protect the rights of individual states and safeguard minority opinion in a system of government designed to give greater power to the national government.   How did they see Congress relative to the President, and how is this dynamic playing out, especially with our understanding of Congress, elections and representation? They saw them as the word of the people. Today most people don’t see them like this or even at all.

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In 1611, Alexander Whitaker arrived in the new land of Virginia, which had just begun to be colonized only a few years earlier (Dudley Chalberg 13). Jamestown, Virginia was the first English Settlement to be made in the New World and many people wanted to know more about it. England asked for reports back from people as to what their new land was like and there were varied opinions. Alexander Whitaker had a positive viewpoint that Virginia was an abundant new paradise with many good things about it. It should be thought by one that Alexander Whitaker was correct in making the statements that he did.

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The history of the early settlement of South Carolina is intimately connected with the island of Barbados. On October 30,1629, Charles I., of England, granted to Sir Robert Heath, his attorney general, all of the territory of North America lying between the 31st and 36th parallels of north latitude and extending from the Atlantic to Pacific Ocean, to be known as “Carolana or Province of Carolana.” Sir Robert did nothing toward settling his province and it was not until the second year after the restoration of Charles II., that some of his adherents and courtiers obtained a charter with extensive powers for the same territory to be called Carolina instead of Carolana. This charter was dated March 24,1662/63. Sir John Colleton, a planter in Barbados, first suggested to Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper, that they, with associates, could obtain a grant to this “rich and fertile Province of Carolina” from Charles II.

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However, Britain and king James were not appreciative of the House,”he distrusted the representative House of Burgesses, which he branded a ‘seminary of sedition’”(Kennedy 33). The House of Burgesses was probably one of the many factors that increased tensions between Britain and the colonies. Altogether, this shows that being the first instance of democracy, that the House of Burgesses was one of the most influential assemblies in American

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Congress had certain limitations with this constitution in action, along with many disputes among each separate state. Land distribution, foreign trouble, and payments of money, were all familiar predicaments to Congress. Absence of a centralized national power prevented the states from having fair land control, causing debate among the colonies. Maryland, rejected the constitution stating that other states, including Virginia, would become too dominant unless the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi river were turned over to Congress (Davidson, page 190).

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When Congress issued tariffs on foreign goods, Southerners believed that Congress favored the North since this tariff would benefit them. John Randolph spoke of this issue, arguing that Congress was being unfair since the South was not benefiting from the actions of Congress at all while the North benefited (Doc A). As for political conflict, there was a clear case of factionalism and political rivalry in 1824 (Doc I). With these conflicts amongst the varying factions and political parties, the political tension and sectionalism within America continued to grow. Accusations and anger from the South further separated them from the North, which did not contribute “good feelings” to the country at

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William Bradford indicated that the occasion was that the ships were a day out of harbor in the new world. He indicated that he wanted them to come together as one body in agreement to submit to the government and governors. The agreed to consent together in unison to this. I do feel this is very similar to the motives of the original constitution a document which is still in force today. I have no doubt that the founders of this nation looked at what did work and did not work in the way the original colonies set themselves up and modeled our governing documents based off what they learned.

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In the 1600`s century Virginia was full of wealthy plantation owners who all bought land in the tidewater area in Virginia. The governor at that time was Sir William Berkeley. Berkeley limited voting to people who owned property; he also exempted himself and his councilors from taxation. Due to his actions it sparked burning anger from the backcountry farmers who live west of the tidewater area. Moreover, many backcountry farmers wanted to expand their land and many free indentured servants wanted land too, but the only land available near Virginia is the Native American territory.

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Claim A: For Washington, a provision allowing for the eventual ban of the slave trade was vital to any compromise. Outlawing the slave trade had been a goal for decades. The slave trade was considered a great evil, even by many slaveholding Southerners who were against abolition itself. Claim B: The Southern states insisted on banning Congress from taxing exports so they can protect their agricultural exports or to prohibit Congress from banning the importation of slaves.

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Introduction The stories of the founding of the United States is legendary in many regards. History places it that America was found by a group of farmers who had local political experience. This group came together in one accord and in arms to go against the monarch and tyrant to become a self-governed state. In the words of these men, “all men are created equal,” a phrase that natural elicited men and women to risk their lives for freedom .

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