Founding Brothers Essays

Founding Brothers Essays Founding Brothers Essay Founding Brothers Essay Essay Topic: O Brother Where Third they took slavery, the most threatening issue off the agenda. [17] The fourth and final theme was that the politicians knew they were making history on which their reputation would rest. Knowing that people were watching them kept them on their best behavior. [18] Ellis ties his points together in a way that helps illustrate logic among the scattered principles that the Founding Brothers established for this young nation. With a newly emerging country on their hand, the amount of deliberation and diverse opinions brought upon a number of differences. Adams and Jefferson did not meet eye to eye. Having recently liberated this young country from a tyrannical nation, both men sought only the well being and prosperity of America. Demonstrated by their dedication to one another in many forms, such as an immense amount of letter writing exchanged between them. On January 1, 1812, Adams wrote a cordial note relaying family news and saying two pieces of Homespun were on their way. : Jefferson thought the homespun referred to domestically produced clothing, but it was a metaphor to a copy of John Quinsys book, Lectures on Rhetoric and Oratory. This was the beginning of a 158-letter correspondence, which eventually brought back the friendship. [222, 223] Adams initiated the road to an understanding between the two men. It wasnt in vain because it ultimately helped tie up loose ends within the meaning of the revolutionary war. It also served as a way to fully merge both trains of thought on the occurrences of the revolution. In other words, the correspondence between the two men helped bring the revolutionary war into a full circle allowing thoughts to be expressed and unfinished business to be dealt with. In the end, these two feuding people came to an understanding and eventually, collaborated. Before the Internet and cell phones, politicians main way to communicate was by face-to-face interaction with each other. This helped illustrate the intimacy that these men shared with one another. Though perhaps hostile at times, they served as ways to bring everything to the table. Which Jefferson literally did when he invited Hamilton and Madison to a dinner in mid-June of 1790. With this meeting they were able to collaborate in a way that allowed for immediate feedback and in some case, debate. Jefferson brokered a political bargain of decidedly far-reaching significance: Madison agreed to permit the core provision of Hamiltonians fiscal program to pass; residence of the national capital would be on the Potomac river. [49] Jefferson was the peacemaker between the two men who came to agreements and allowed them to improvise. Ellis quoted, The Compromise of 1790 would top the list as the most meaningful dinner party in American history. [50] With so much going on in the political system at the time, there is never Just a single issue that needs to be addressed. The Founding Brothers knew that in order to have a successful run at a new country, slavery had to be put on the back burner. Congress was prohibited to pass any law from The Constitution of abolishing or restricting the slave trade until 1808. [82] It was perhaps the wisest decision they made. In a newly forming country, adding on this weight could have tilted the scales and created more turmoil than that they could handle. In the end they knew the issue of slavery had to wait so that we would not be separate countries with separate histories in the North and in the South. Ellis believed that the Founding Brothers had pulled off one of the hardest maneuvers in political history. Not only had they led a successful revolution against England, the greatest world power at the time, they had maintained and cultivated their own governmental system, independent of the British Crown. They had achieved this with the diverse characters and ideologies of their members. The face to face communication between said members which kept the country a personal matter and of utmost importance. Leaving the issue of slavery to be addressed after the country was more secure. Lastly, the Founding Brothers pulled off this miracle of a feat by living with the knowledge that they were being watched by future generations of Americans to come and their example would be important. Ellis would agree that this is how they did it.

Marquis de Montcalm in the French and Indian War

Marquis de Montcalm in the French and Indian War Marquis de Montcalm - Early Life Career: Born February 28, 1712 at Chateau de Candiac near Nà ®mes, France, Louis-Joseph de Montcalm-Gozon was the son of Louis-Daniel de Montcalm and Marie-Thà ©rà ¨se de Pierre. At the age of nine, his father arranged for him to be commissioned as an ensign in the Rà ©giment d’Hainaut. Remaining at home, Montcalm was educated by a tutor and in 1729 received a commission as a captain. Moving to active service three years later, he took part in the War of the Polish Succession. Serving under Marshal de Saxe and the Duke of Berwick, Montcalm saw action during the siege of Kehl and Philippsburg. Following his fathers death in 1735, he inherited the title of Marquis de Saint-Veran. Returning home, Montcalm married Angà ©lique-Louise Talon de Boulay on October 3, 1736. Marquis de Montcalm - War of the Austrian Succession: With the beginning of the War of the Austrian Succession in late 1740, Montcalm obtained an appointment as aide-de-camp to Lieutenant General Marquis de La Fare. Besieged at Prague with Marshal de Belle-Isle, he sustained a wound but quickly recovered. Following the French withdraw in 1742, Montcalm sought to improve his situation. On March 6, 1743, he purchased the colonelcy of the Rà ©giment dAuxerrois for 40,000 livres. Taking part in Marshal de Maillebois campaigns in Italy, he earned the Order of Saint Louis in 1744. Two years later, Montcalm sustained five saber wounds and was taken prisoner by the Austrians at the Battle of Piacenza. Paroled after seven months in captivity, he received a promotion to brigadier for his performance in the 1746 campaign. Returning to active duty in Italy, Montcalm fell wounded during the defeat at Assietta in July 1747. Recovering, he later aided in lifting the siege of Ventimiglia. With the end of the war in 1748, Montcalm found himself in command of part of the army in Italy. In February 1749, his regiment was absorbed by another unit. As a result, Montcalm lost his investment in the colonelcy. This was offset when he was commissioned mestre-de-camp and given permission to raise a regiment of cavalry bearing his own name. These efforts strained Montcalms fortunes and on July 11, 1753, his petition to the Minister of War, Comte d’Argenson, for a pension was granted in the amount of 2,000 livres annually. Retiring to his estate, he enjoyed the country life and society in Montpellier. Marquis de Montcalm - The French Indian War: The next year, tensions between Britain and France exploded in North American following Lieutenant Colonel George Washingtons defeat at Fort Necessity. As the French Indian War began, British forces won a victory at the Battle of Lake George in September 1755. In the fighting, the French commander in North America, Jean Erdman, Baron Dieskau, fell wounded and was captured by the British. Seeking a replacement for Dieskau, the French command selected Montcalm and promoted him to major general on March 11, 1756. Sent to New France (Canada), his orders gave him command of forces in the field but made him subordinate to the governor-general, Pierre de Rigaud, Marquis de Vaudreuil-Cavagnial. Sailing from Brest with reinforcements on April 3, Montcalms convoy reached the St. Lawrence River five weeks later. Landing at Cap Tourmente, he proceeded overland to Quebec before pressing on to Montreal to confer with Vaudreuil. In the meeting, Montcalm learned of Vaudreuils intention to attack Fort Oswego later in the summer. After being sent to inspect Fort Carillon (Ticonderoga) on Lake Champlain, he returned to Montreal to oversee operations against Oswego. Striking in mid-August, Montcalms mixed force of regulars, colonials, and Native Americans captured the fort after a brief siege. Though a victory, Montcalm and Vaudreuils relationship showed signs of strain as they disagreed over strategy and the effectiveness of colonial forces. Marquis de Montcalm - Fort William Henry: In 1757, Vaudreuil ordered Montcalm to attack British bases south of Lake Champlain. This directive was in line with his preference for conducting spoiling attacks against the enemy and conflicted with Montcalms belief that New France should be protected by a static defense. Moving south, Montcalm mustered around 6,200 men at Fort Carillon before moving across Lake George to strike at Fort William Henry. Coming ashore, his troops isolated the fort on August 3. Later that day he demanded that Lieutenant Colonel George Monro surrender his garrison. When the British commander refused, Montcalm began the Siege of Fort William Henry. Lasting six days, the siege ended with Monro finally capitulating. The victory lost a bit of luster when a force of Native Americans who had fought with the French attacked the paroled British troops and their families as they departed the area. Marquis de Montcalm - Battle of Carillon: Following the victory, Montcalm elected to withdraw back to Fort Carillon citing a lack of supplies and the departure of his Native American allies. This angered Vaudreuil who had desired his field commander to push south to Fort Edward. That winter, the situation in New France deteriorated as food became scarce and the two French leaders continued to quarrel. In the spring of 1758, Montcalm returned to Fort Carillon with the intention of stopping a thrust north by Major General James Abercrombie. Learning that the British possessed around 15,000 men, Montcalm, whose army mustered less than 4,000, debated if and where to make a stand. Electing to defend Fort Carillon, he ordered its outer works expanded. This work was nearing completion when Abercrombies army arrived in early July. Shaken by the death of his skilled second-in-command, Brigadier General George Augustus Howe, and concerned that Montcalm would receive reinforcements, Abercrombie ordered his men to assault Montcalms works on July 8 without bringing up his artillery. In making this rash decision, Abercrombie failed to see obvious advantages in the terrain which would have allowed him to easily defeat the French. Instead, the Battle of Carillon saw British forces mount numerous frontal assaults against Montcalms fortifications. Unable to break through and having taken heavy losses, Abercrombie fell back across Lake George. Marquis de Montcalm - Defense of Quebec: As in the past, Montcalm and Vaudreuil fought in the wake of the victory over credit and the future defense of New France. With the loss of Louisbourg in late July, Montcalm became increasingly pessimistic about whether New France could be held. Lobbying Paris, he asked for reinforcements and, fearing defeat, to be recalled. This latter request was denied and on October 20, 1758, Montcalm received a promotion to lieutenant general and made Vaudreuils superior. As 1759 approached, the French commander anticipated a British onslaught on multiple fronts. In early May 1759, a supply convoy reached Quebec with a few reinforcements. A month later a large British force led by Admiral Sir Charles Saunders and Major General James Wolfe arrived in the St. Lawrence. Building fortifications on the north shore of the river to the east of the city at Beauport, Montcalm successfully frustrated Wolfes initial operations. Seeking other options, Wolfe had several ships run upstream past Quebecs batteries. These began seeking landing sites to the west. Locating a site at Anse-au-Foulon, British forces started crossing on September 13. Moving up the heights, they formed for battle on the Plains of Abraham. After learning of this situation, Montcalm raced west with his men. Arriving on the plains, he immediately formed for battle despite the fact that Colonel Louis-Antoine de Bougainville was marching to his aid with around 3,000 men. Montcalm justified this decision by expressing concern that Wolfe would fortify the position at Anse-au-Foulon. Opening the Battle of Quebec, Montcalm moved to attack in columns. In doing so, the French lines became somewhat disorganized as they crossed the uneven terrain of the plain. Under orders to hold their fire until the French were within 30-35 yards, the British troops had double-charged their muskets with two balls. After enduring two volleys from the French, the front rank opened fire in a volley that was compared to a cannon shot. Advancing a few paces, the second British line unleashed a similar volley shattering the French lines. Early in the battle, Wolfe was hit in the wrist. Tending to the injury he continued, but was soon hit in the stomach and chest. Issuing his final orders, he died on the field. With the French army retreating towards the city and the St. Charles River, the French militia continued to fire from nearby woods with the support of floating battery near the St. Charles River bridge. During the retreat, Montcalm was hit in the lower abdomen and thigh. Taken into the city, he died the next day. Initially buried near the city, Montcalms remains were moved several times until being reinterred at the cemetery of the Quebec General Hospital in 2001. Selected Sources Military Heritage: Marquis de MontcalmQuebec History: Marquis de Montcalm Fort Ticonderoga: Marquis de Montcalm