Revolutionary Characters What Made The Founders Different Summary

In Revolutionary Characters: What Made the Founders Different, the author, Gordon S. Wood, does a great job of showing a different side of these revolutionary characters who are commonly found in history books. Over all Wood is trying to convey to the reader that what the founders had in their character is not found in today’s politicians and leaders, and furthermore, it is their own doing, by the founders, who made it possible for any leaders which came after them to lack such similar qualities. By showing a different side of the founding fathers, some attention is brought the qualities of their characters which made the founders so unique. I think Wood brought this to the reader’s attention very well and I fully support his ideas and appreciate

Washington sought for the opinions of others including James Madison and a female friend named Eliza Powel. In order to get Washington to agree to another term many people warned him that people would come after his reputation. Since Washington is a gentleman who cares for his reputation, they knew this is what would get him to agree to a second term. This is a nice insight presented by Wood to show how even though there was not much set in stone for the president Washington wanted to do in the best he could, for what he would most likely be what becomes the norm. This is truly a great level of disinterestedness, and true gentlemanly quality for Washington to

Reluctant to accept, before he could truly commit President John Adams appointed Washington commander of all military forces of the United States (Wood 62). Rushed into position Washington had complications when putting into position his second in command, he had complications with Adams, and even interfered with his cabinet (Wood 62). His command was essentially a disaster. As the French invasion never came and the army not what it should be, Washington slipped away to his home, Mount Vernon. Washington was utterly confused as to what American politics had become. It is important to notice how quickly this happened. Washington retired in 1796 and in a just a couple of years political attitudes had already