Short Paper Essay Throughout the process of the American Revolution emerged some of the most brilliant minds that helped shape our country into what it is today. These people, the founding fathers, had many issues to solve as well as make sure both sides were satisfied with the outcome. In the Joseph Ellis’s book, “Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation,” Ellis explains the dreadful foreign and domestic issues the early country faced as well as the negative relationship Thomas Jefferson developed with George Washington and John Adams. The revolutionary generation failed to impose order and stability in the nations early years through the failure of the Articles of Confederation and avoiding the discussion of slavery. The Articles
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Ellis argues how “Jefferson’s posture toward Washington shifted perceptibly in 1794. The catalyst for the change was the Whiskey Rebellion” (Ellis 140). Jefferson opposed Washington’s suppression of the rebellion and belief that there was a need for a stronger central government. Jefferson even began spreading rumors about Washington denouncing his credibility throughout the Republican Party. Another decision made by Washington that was unsupported by Jefferson was Jay’s Treaty. A passage written by Jefferson was published in the newspaper called “It would give you a fever.’ Jefferson wrote this to his Italian friend Phillip Mazzei” (Ellis, 141). This passage criticized Washington’s decisions, especially with Jay’s Treaty all without mentioning Washington’s name. In Washington’s Farewell Address, he called for a “common identity as Americans; regard the federal government that represents your collective interest as an ally rather than an enemy” (Ellis, 156). Washington had realized the differences that he and Jefferson had developed as well as their parties that seemed to be continuously growing apart and called for unity in the nation. He had hoped that the American people would set aside their differences and identify as one nation rather a political party. Washington and Jefferson’s vastly different viewpoints on issues that the new country faced showed the growing separation of the American
Ellis argues how “Jefferson’s posture toward Washington shifted perceptibly in 1794. The catalyst for the change was the Whiskey Rebellion” (Ellis 140). Jefferson opposed Washington’s suppression of the rebellion and belief that there was a need for a stronger central government. Jefferson even began spreading rumors about Washington denouncing his credibility throughout the Republican Party. Another decision made by Washington that was unsupported by Jefferson was Jay’s Treaty. A passage written by Jefferson was published in the newspaper called “It would give you a fever.’ Jefferson wrote this to his Italian friend Phillip Mazzei” (Ellis, 141). This passage criticized Washington’s decisions, especially with Jay’s Treaty all without mentioning Washington’s name. In Washington’s Farewell Address, he called for a “common identity as Americans; regard the federal government that represents your collective interest as an ally rather than an enemy” (Ellis, 156). Washington had realized the differences that he and Jefferson had developed as well as their parties that seemed to be continuously growing apart and called for unity in the nation. He had hoped that the American people would set aside their differences and identify as one nation rather a political party. Washington and Jefferson’s vastly different viewpoints on issues that the new country faced showed the growing separation of the American