Term Paper on "People & Events in Pennsylvania"

Term Paper 9 pages (2872 words) Sources: 7

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Another President that I must speak about who has an equally impressive impact on America is none other than Thomas Jefferson, who, of course, is responsible for writing the Declaration of Independence and has also influenced the addition of the Bill of Rights to the Constitution (Onuf). The ideas he has set forth at the convention were the freedom of speech, assembly, and practice of religion are what holds him in high regard for all Americans (Onuf). Along with Benjamin Franklin, Jefferson has been elected as the one to draft the Declaration of Independence due to his eloquent writing style (Onuf). Besides penning and signing some of the most important documents known to American history, Jefferson has also become an excellent leader by petitioning that his government be one that is frugal with their spending, and as such has cut some of the tax laws and reduced the nation's debt by $23 million, and has nearly doubled our population by purchasing Louisiana (Onuf).

Now we must turn from Thomas Jefferson to another one of our greatest presidents, who has been exposed since childhood to the anti-slavery movement, which spurred his Presidency to renowned celebration: Abraham Lincoln. Born in 1809 in Kentucky, he had about 18 months of formal school before he taught himself "the Bible, Shakespeare, English language, and American history," before he eventually taught himself law and was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1837 (New World Encyclopedia). In 1861 Lincoln has been officially inaugurated, but several of the southern states have already seceded before Lincoln has been sworn in (New World Encyclopedia). Indeed, a Civil War has been started due to the Emancipation Proclamation that hereby frees slaves and gives them personal freedom, and it is during Lincoln's second term as president that he now focuses on the reconstruction of our nation (New World Encyclopedia). Since the anti-slavery movement that has started in 1800 President Abraham Lincoln has given the people what they asked for, and fulfilled the reason why he was elected president to make sure that all men are created equal.

I have spoken about two important Founding Fathers Washington and Jefferson who were present in Philadelphia to create and sign some of the most important documents of our nation; and another President who swore to uphold them, Lincoln. There is another Founder and philanthropist who had a significant role in Pennsylvania: Benjamin Franklin. Though he will be the most well-known for the discovery of electricity, it is the other roles he played here in Pennsylvania that make him an All-American. Franklin is known as a philosopher, a thinker, a genius and a man of the people. He is responsible for organizing many of our fine institutions, including a public lending library, the fire station, a political discussion club, and the American Philosophical Society (who also own the Philosophical Hall) (Uldrich, 31). By and large he is also a stout supporter of education and is responsible for the organization of several public schools in the area, as well as having a major role in establishing the Ivy League's University of Pennsylvania (New World Encyclopedia). And, if you can believe it, he was also responsible for helping to create what would become the first hospital in the United States (New World Encyclopedia). Franklin would go on to invent items that are well used in modern day society, such as the stove, catheters, lighting rod and bifocals (New World Encyclopedia). During the drafting of the Constitution, when it has been rumored that talks were not going very well (i.e. nobody could agree on anything), Franklin made the wise decision of standing up to make a speech about how now was the time to produce a Constitution unlike any other, where the virtues of kindness and goodness were more important than tyranny and oppressive dictatorships (New World Encyclopedia). At this time, Benjamin Franklin has signed the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, the Treaty of Paris, and the peace treaty with England (Uldrich, 32).

The Declaration of Independence & the U.S. Constitution

On July 4, 1776 the Declaration of Independence was written and agreed upon, and by August 2 a total of 56 delegates, representing each of the new states in the New World, had signed the document, and by August 10 news of the Declaration had reached London (New World Encyclopedia). The idea for the Declaration was pulled from several sources, including the Dutch Republic, Scotland and Virginia, as well as some philosophical ideas like natural law and self-determination (New World Encyclopedia). The purpose of this document was clear: to make it known to England that Independence would be had, to persuade other colonists to join in the Revolution, and to solidify the fundamental principles for the new nation (New World Encyclopedia).

The United States Constitution is one of the most important legal documents of America, and states in no small terms the right for citizens to weigh in on the decisions of their government, and also guarantees certain rights for citizens in the ten amendments following the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights, which, of course, was proposed by Thomas Jefferson (New World Encyclopedia). "It was adopted in its original form on September 17, 1787 by the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania," and has since added Amendments 11-27 between the years 1795 and 1992 (New World Encyclopedia).

What is an American?

"Thus all sects are mixed as well as all nations; thus religious indifference is imperceptibly disseminated from one end of the continent to the other; which is at present one of the strongest characteristics of the Americans." (Crevecoeur, 66). America has come a long way, and for those who still live oppressive lives in countries who are still in the dark, America is indeed the land of the free. But, I still feel that Americans have a long way to go. Indeed, our history is proof that our Founders were more open minded than most, and willing to see a dream to its fruition, however, America is still fraught with conflict that does not embody the American spirit. Racism is still out there, along with religious disagreements and political intrusions into people's private lives. I here many politicians, regular citizens and lobbyists say [about hot button topics] "That's not American!" Isn't it? I think now, more than ever, in the 21st Century that politicians need to take a step back, and look at what our great nation was truly founded upon, then look at our country as it stands today, then ask themselves: Is what I am struggling against truly American, or just my own agenda?

For me, the definition of being an American is the ability to prosper without my fellow citizens telling me how to live, how to work, how to love, and how to be happy. America was based on freedom, and I think it still stands today, although it may take us longer to truly get there, that everyone still has a right to freedom.

Works Cited

"Abraham Lincoln." New World Encyclopedia. 11 Sep 2008. 19 Apr 2011, .

"Benjamin Franklin." New World Encyclopedia. 29 Aug 2008. 19 Apr 2011, .

Crevecoeur, J. Hector St. John. Letters From An American Farmer. Dublin, Ireland: John Exshaw, 1782. 49-91. Print.

"George Washington." New World Encyclopedia. 12 Sep 2008. 19 Apr 2011, .

Hudson, Patricia. "Penning a legacy." American History 32.6 (1998): 16. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 18 Apr. 2011.

"Declaration of Independence (United States)." New World Encyclopedia. 29 Aug 2008. 19 Apr 2011. .

Onuf, Peter. "American President: Thomas Jefferson." Miller Center of Public Affairs: University of Virginia. Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia, 2011. Web. 18 Apr 2011. .

Peattie, Donald Culross. "FOR EIGHTY-THREE YEARS THE LIBERTY BELL RESOUNDED. (cover story)." America 67.13 (1942): 342-343. Humanities International Complete. EBSCO. Web. 18 Apr. 2011.

"Pennsylvania History" Word Document. 1-39.

Taylor, Grace. "History of Pennsylvania: Famous People, Famous Places, Famous Events." Lecture. 1-32.

Uldrich, Jack. "Benjamin Franklin's extraordinary leadership." Leader to Leader 2005.38 (2005): 31-36. Business Source Complete. EBSCO. Web. 18… READ MORE

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