5000 Year Leap Essay

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The 5000 Year Leap by Cleon Skousen analyzes the 28 principles that the Founding Fathers believed to be necessary for peace and prosperity in America and illustrates how those beliefs perpetuated greater progress in 200 years than was previosly made in 5000. To America by Stephen E. Ambrose is a historian’s personal reflections on America’s history and the people who contributed to making it into the country it is today. By analyzing both books, one can observe where America upheld and fell short in meeting the principles that the Founding Fathers viewed as essential to the country’s success. One can also view where America has fallen short in observing these principles and the effect left on the American people as a result. Certain principles were more significant to the founding and guiding of our country and had a more considerable effect on America. The principles that protected the natural rights of men, regulated the powers of government, and limited American involvement in foreign conflict were the most influential in the founding and development of our country. The 6th Principle, “All Men Were created Equal,” expresses that men are equal in “the sight of God, the sight of the law, and the protection of their rights” (Skousen 103). Although this principle was upheld during the Battle of New Orleans and the construction of Transcontinental Railroad, it was cast aside concerning America’s long struggle with racism. During the Battle of New Orleans, people of different nationalities and races banded together to defend their land. In doing this, they formed the first multiracial army and recognized every man’s right to protect his land regardless of his race or nationality. The construction of the Transcontinental Railroad was complete by people of different nationalities. From Chinese to German, the workers were all able to work together despite their ethnic backgrounds. Although this principle succeeded in those two circumstances, a very big area where it fell short was racism. Despite the fact that blacks should have been seen and treated as equals, “racism was the justification for a system of segregation” (Ambrose 216). Racism was used as a way to rationalize why one race had dominion over the other. The ongoing battle with racism is the reason that this principle is one of the most important. If this principle was upheld to the fullest extent, racism could be estinguished, eliminating one of the biggest problems facing America today. The Founders made it clear that the role of government was to provide “equal rights not equal things.” (Skousen 115). The 7th Principle was maintained for most of America’s history, with exception to Grant’s attempt at unifying the North and the South after the Civil War. Although his attempt was noble, his pursuit of equal rights was confused with equal things. Grant was so determined to unite the North and the South that he was trying to please both sides by trying to appease their demands in order to obtain peace. “As President, Grant wanted peace and reconciliation and to be President of all the people” (Ambrose 3). In this time of conflict, it was not possible to appease the demands of the people by trying to give them equal things. The only thing that would ultimately solve the problem was providing equal rights for all. The 14th Principle, “Property Rights Essential to Liberty,” was designed to protect man’s unalienable right to ownership of property. …show more content…
Having been a critical issue leading to the Revolutionary War, this principle was extremely imperative. This principle was upheld excellently as it was easy for people to defend. The only time that the principle failed was when dealing with the Indians. By taking their land, Americans defended their own property rights while abusing the Indians’ same right. The disregard of the 14th Principle was a necessary evil in order to protect that right for Americans. Americans were fine with this because it meant “extending the borders of freedom for the white man” (Ambrose 28). The 19th Principle, “Limiting and Defining the Powers of Government,” allowed the powers to be retained by the people. At the time of the Articles of Confederation, Americans were firm in the resolve that most of the power should

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