The Leaders

The American Revolution, the War for Independence, and the Foundation of our country were made possible by a few important leaders. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and a few other leaders are still studied today and are remembered for creating the United States of America. These great patriots balanced personal ambition, ideology, and personality quirks to unite the country that would become the strongest in the world. The book, Founding Brothers by Joesph Ellis talks about how the leaders collaborated to create a successful country. Founding Brothers is an excellent title because in history books we study the "Founding Fathers" so why the Founding Brothers?
Leadership is the ability to direct, serve, or guide others, a position of power, to be at the forefront. Leaders direct, such as in the continental congress where they must discuss the country’s issues. For example, James Madison was a sedate man with patience and wisdom. He spoke as a leader keeping everyone focused on the topic. He did not yell and he was cool headed. Leaders also lead through the military. For example, George Washington was known and loved throughout his country as being a great commander and courageous when the situation called for it. Without him the Revolution would not have taken place and the outcome would have been different. After the battle at Brooklyn Heights Washington learned that he could never get trapped by the British again. He outlasted the British which enabled the colonial army to win the war. Washington also was able to touch and encourage his men which gave him the personal touch in battle. There are also personality leaders, which many other founding men had. For example, King George once stated that Washington was an indispensable man. This is because he has an indispensable character. Commoners looked to him for wisdom, bravery and guidance. Sam Adams was also a leader before the Revolution. He tried to persuade people to fight against Britain and gain their freedom and independence. Without him the war might not have been fought until later. He was excellent at talking, and getting the people to act. Jefferson was also a great leader during the Revolutionary period. He wrote much of the Declaration of Independence because he was educated and respected. He was responsible for the country's principles which we still live by today. He later became president and was often seen by the public as a great man who was extremely important in "the body" of the country. These men played significant roles in the foundation of our country. These men were at the forefront of the country. They served their country and their people trying to make it better. Furthermore, today when one thinks of a leader they think of someone in power, such as the President of the United States. Leaders usually have strong character and are willing to stand in front of people to express their beliefs. Leaders make rules for others to follow. They also act as a role model for younger generations. At high school, leaders are usually the ones speaking, and expressing their opinion. Their friends look to them for leadership and guidance. On the sports teams the leader is the captain, cheering you when you make a good play and teaching you where you can improve.

The leaders during the Revolution, had different personalities, strengths, weaknesses and did not always agree with each other. Madison was a calm and cautious leader. He was a great orator and was nice, smart, and often seen smiling. "He served as the floor leader of the opposition in the House." Madison was also a man who wanted the job done right. He did not care who got the credit as long as it was done well. Jefferson had ambition and was very intelligent. He wrote the Declaration of Independence in three weeks. Madison and Jefferson often agreed on issues about the country. They both wanted the capital to be in Philadelphia. They were also both from Virginia. Hamilton disagreed with Madison and Jefferson on financial issues. They made the agreement that the capital would be in Philadelphia and that Hamilton was in charge of financial issues. After the war there was a lot of debt to pay off so Hamilton wanted the federal government to take the debt from each state. This idea would mean that each state would want the federal government to succeed because they all had money in the government. In addition, Benjamin Franklin played a huge part in history and during the revolution, earning him the pen name of Historicus. Franklin helped convince the French to fight as allies with the Americans during the American Revolution. Franklin also was passionate about abolishing slavery. Along with Washington, Franklin was one of the most famous men in America. He and Washington were like the untouchables. They were such patriots and were loved and known by everyone that to attack them publicly would be the quickest way to commit public suicide. Furthermore, after Washington resigned from president after his second term, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson, ran for election against each other. Both men had been friends for a long time, although they had different political views. Adams was willing to communicate and continue to be friends with Jefferson even though they were running against each other. "In the Adams scheme, intimacy trumped ideology.For Jefferson, ideology trumped intimacy." One issue that these men disagreed on was that "Adams learned that Jefferson was unwilling to join the cabinet and that neither Jefferson nor Madison was willing to be part of the peace delegation to France." Jefferson and Adams separated for a time after Adams won the presidential election. Before they died (about 5 hours apart) they were friends again.

The Title of the book Founding Brothers, is a unique title that was chosen to describe the relationship among the leaders who were the foundation for our country. Today we often study the founding fathers so why would the book be named the Founding Brothers? Many of the leaders such as Hamilton, Washington, Franklin, Madison, and Adams knew each other and needed to work together to form a successful, long lasting government. A brotherhood is "an association of men united in a common interest" (Webster's New World Dictionary). When brothers fight they usually work it out, or deal with it. For example, Hamilton hated Burr and Jefferson but when the time came Hamilton sided with Jefferson. This is because Burr was unpredictable, changing direction and opinion to please others. And although Hamilton did not agree with Jefferson, at least Jefferson had strong, unchanging ideas. Madison and Jefferson usually saw eye to eye and worked together to help the country. Many of these men, although they had personal ambitions, and despite their different personalities and backgrounds were willing to compromise for the good of the country. Because of the ingenuity and determination of these men the United States is known as a free and independent country.

Exam Essay; Thanks French

The French should receive more recognition for their invaluable help in the defeat of the British during the American Revolution. The French’s naval ships won the Revolution for the Americans. Before the French entered the war, the seas were controlled by the British, giving them a huge advantage over the Americans. The British ships provided supplies for the British as well as an escape route for the British if the army needed help.

In 1763, the French were defeated by the British in what is known as the Seven Years War. Even before the French and their fleet entered the American Revolution they were sending money and supplies secretly to the American colonies. Furthermore, with Ben Franklin's' persuasions and Washington's victory at the battle of Saratoga the French finally decided to enter the war as allies with the Americans. In February of 1778 The Treaty of Alliance with France was signed and money and supplies started to come into America.

Many battles were fought during the Revolution without France's help although the last significant battle of the American Revolution was the battle of Yorktown. With the aid from the French and their ships the Americans were able to be victorious. The British commander, Cornwallis had taken his men to Yorktown because it was easy to gain supplies from his ships because water surrounded three sides of their land location. Washington tricked the British ships and another British army making them think that the colonial army was heading to New York when really Washington was taking his men to surround the British commander, Cornwallis in Yorktown.

The Navel battle known as the Battle of Chesapeake, took place on September 5, 1781. This naval battle was between Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Graves, the captain of the British fleet composed of 19 ships and the French fleet composed of 24 ships, led by Rear-Admiral Comte de Grasse. The French fleet coming from the West Indies arrived at the Chesapeake Bay first, giving them a positional advantage. This also prevented the resupplyment of troops and supplies to the British land armies. The French and British fighting against the wind, fought against each other side by side. Some of the British ships were leaking badly and the miscommunication between Graves and his ships allowed the French's naval fleet to be victorious.

(http://xenophongroup.com/mcjoynt/marine.htm)
On land, Washington and his 1600 men dug trenches for protection against British cannon fire and bullets. In 12 hours Washington and his men had fired about 3600 cannons. With the aid of the French general Rochambeau and his men, this continual attack wore out the British. Since the French had prevented Cornwallis and his troops from getting supplies (gun powder and cannon balls) eventually the British were forced to surrender.

Today, this military tactic is known as "shock and awe". In the Iraq war, the United States bombed Iraq continually for a long period of time. This constant attack caused the Iraq people to become less passionate about fighting against a large super power, such as the United States. "Limited bombing began on 19 March 2003 as United States forces unsuccessfully attempted to kill Saddam Hussein. Attacks continued against a small number of targets until 21 March 2003, when at 1700 UTC the main bombing campaign of the Coalition began. Its forces launched approximately 1700 air sorties (504 using cruise missiles)." (Shock and awe, Wikipedia)

The French’s navy led to the American victory. The French provided money, clothes, troops, weaponry, and most importantly ships. The French not only aided with money but they also agreed to help at the perfect time. The year before this battle, Washington’s army suffered many deaths from disease, the men were getting tired of running/fighting and their year for serving in the army was almost over. The men were in a depressed state with little hope. The French’s alliance encouraged the Americans and gave them the support and assistance that they needed to finally defeat the British. Furthermore, at the British surrender, Cornwallis' second in command Henry Clinton, tried to give a sword to the French general, Rochambeau . By taking this action the British were saying that Washington and his men had not defeated him but the French had with their land army as well as their navy ships. The Americans did not produce the arms or the gunpowder needed to fight against the British. Before the French entered the war Britain was defeating the Americans, and was controlling the seas. This gave the British an escape route if they needed. Once the French agreed to help aid the Americans the Americans were relieved. They now had the courage, strength, supplies, and troops which they had lost due to disease and the brutal winter.

Without the French our way of life today, may not have existed.

The French were Essential

The French played a very significant role in helping aid the Americans to defeat Britain in the American Revolution. The French’s naval ships won the Revolution for the Americans. Before French entered the war, the seas were controlled by the British, giving them a huge advantage over the Americans. The British ships provided supplies for the British as well as an escape root for the British if the army needed help.

The last significant battle of the American Revolution was the battle of Yorktown. The British commander had taken his men to Yorktown because it was easy to gain supplies from his ships because water surrounded three sides of their land location. Washington tricked the British ships and another British army making them think that Washington and his men were heading to New York when really he was taking him men to surround the British commander, Cornwallis in Yorktown. Furthermore, Washington had learned that Ben Franklin had been in France trying to convince the King to aid the Americans in battle. After the American victory at Saratoga, the French agreed to help Washington. So with the aid of General Rochambeau and his Frenchmen as well as the navy they advanced to Yorktown. The French Navy had control of the Chesapeake Bay preventing the British ships from helping aid the British. Washington and his 1600 men dug trenches for protection against British cannon fire and bullets. In 12 hours Washington and his men had fired about 3600 cannons. This continual attack wore out the British. Soon the British ran out of supplies (gun powder and cannon balls) and were forced to surrender.

This military tactic is still used today. In the Iraq war, the United States bombed Iraq continually for a long period of time. This constant attack caused the Iraq people to become less passionate about fighting against a large super power, such as the United States.

The French’s navy led to the American victory. The French provided money, clothes, troops, weaponry, and most importantly ships. The French not only aided with money but they also agreed to help at the perfect time. The year before this battle, Washington’s’ army suffered large deaths from disease, the men were getting tired of running/fighting and their year for serving in the army was almost over. The men were in a depressed state with little hope. The French’s’ alliance encouraged the Americans.

Furthermore, at the British surrender the generals second in command tried to give a sword to the French’s’ general. By taking this action the British were saying that Washington and his men had not defeated him but the French had with their land army as well as there navy ships.

Propaganda

http://colonialencouragement.blogspot.com/