Infulences on the Founding Fathers
In his book, To Chain the Dog of War: the War Power of Congress in History and Law, Francis D. Wormuth suggests that the only two "inventions," original to American political thought, is Federalism and Judicial Review. Wormuth is absolutey correct. In fact, most ideas that now form American Government were taken from sources outside the first 13 States of America. The Founding Fathers were not alone in their political ideals and simply pieced together forms of government that fit their tastes and desires for a new government. By lookin at past forms of written law, philosophical arguments, and real-life models of effective governments, the Founding Fathers wre able to form what we now know as American Government.The Founding Fathers knew of several civilizations who knew the importance of written law and understood the importance of written law binding the ruler to the ruled. For example, by 550 BC, Greek City-States had written laws outlining their government system. Similarly, the Babylonicans followed the Code of Hammurabi and the Children of Israel lived by the Code of Moses beginning in 1300 BC. Rome also had a form of written law in 451 BC in the form of 12 tablets and the Iroquois Nation of North America establi
These thoughts supported the need for an American Revolution and lead the Founding Fathers to incorporate the possibility of impeaching a president for abusing the power of office. This idea is a product fo the Age of Enlightenment and was fairly new, but not credited to Americans. Aristotle spent much time analyzing and studying political science and determined what he thought to be the purest forms of government. The Founding Fathers used a similar idea in the creation of the president and vice president in the executive branch of the US Government. In order to uncover more ideas and structures of effective government, many Framers looked at examples of working governments, both of the past and present. Another factor that influe4nced the Foundiing Fathers was the ideas and writings of many philosophers, both ancient and contemporary. In the Declaration of Independence, Jeffershon used this idea when he stated, "We hold these truths tobe self-evident, that all men are created equal, that theyy are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the puruit of Happiness (Declaration of Independence, paragraph 2). Perhaps this is the reason the US Government has lasted through the years and has withstood many conflicts and disasters. Similarly, Roman government also had an assembly with an upper council who then elected executives in the form of two consuls. The sacrificesa and tiime spent in the framing of our nation should not be forgotten and should continue to evolve with time. ity were the best forms of government. Locke influenced many early Americans and especially Thomas Jefferson. Although magnificent and powerful, the majesty of the American Government cannot be claimed as original thoughts or revolutionary ideas. One of the Founding Fathers favorite examples of effective government was the government of Ancient Athens. The Founding Fathers spent many hours, months, and years researching and debating over what should and should not be included in their new united government.
Common topics in this essay:
Founding Fathers,
American Government,
Plato Aristotle,
Americans Romans,
Athens Athens,
Declaration Independence,
Independence Jeffershon,
founding fathers,
Similarly Roman,
Jefferson Locke,
BC Rome,
written law,
american government,
forms government,
importance written,
importance written law,
america founding fathers,
checks balances,
form american,
life liberty,
purest forms,
government founding,
form american government,
purest forms government,
government founding fathers,
|
Acceptance Essays
