America's Founding Fathers

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This reading material consists of the first chapter of Stephen Ambrose's text “To America, Personal Reflections of an Historian”, entitled “The Founding Fathers”. In this piece, Ambrose examines several of the founding fathers, contrasting their lives with their failings in the light of modern views on racism and sexism. He begins by speaking about the life of Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson's views on African American slavery, as well as the rights of women and Native Americans, are listed in detail. They are shown alongside quotes from the former president that would seem to contradict his actions and lifestyle in these regards. Ambrose also explores the legacy and accomplishments of Jefferson's life in a long term perspective. Further into the text, William Clark and George Washington are examined along the same lines. However, the most time is spent on Thomas Jefferson, perhaps because he is arguably the most widely condemned slaveowner amongst the founding fathers.

Ambrose freely admits that these men may have failed to rise above concepts that, while common in society in those ...

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