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.