American History

American History 1. The 19th Century definition of liberalism in adopts the realms and principles of capitalism.The first core assumption of liberal theory in political aspects is that the fundamental actors in politics are members of domestic society, understood as individuals and privately constituted groups seeking to promote their independent interests. Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on American History specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In philosophical aspects, special conditions, limited competition, individual autonomy, and individual behavior are intertwined together to create a defined social order that seek for the promotion of individual welfare. The most basic tenet of liberal theory is that politics is mixed into the social context, which acts as an effective measure to curtail the powers of the government. In economic aspects, liberalism is a composition of individual who possesses different interests and identities that push them to form economic ties to further their social, political, and economic goals. While this theory is individualistic, its 19th century view is pluralist. 1a.The contributions of the work of Copernicus, Kepler, Galileo, and Newton to notions about natural law began with the theories of Copernicus to the modern scientific world-view. The theories of the these scientists changed the worldview from medieval explanation to proven scientific views. Copernicus in his Ptolemaic system explained gave an analysis of reason behind an appearance of reverse motions adopted by planets. The impact of the work of Copernicus on man’s conception of the universe and rational thought in scientific disciplines is firmly entrenched in notions about natural law. The development of the first Heliocentric theory of the universe and the Pythagorean system had profound revolutionary implications on man’s conception of the universe and natural law. Kepler focused on the application of p latonic solids to provide explanation on orbit spacing in planets.In his work, Kepler placed the sun at the center of the universe and provided a groundbreaking foundation through which future works in astrology were to draw inferences. This was the premise behind Kepler’s Law’s that had immense impact of natural laws and formed the basis of Newton’s law of gravity. The impact of Galileo’s work on the universe and natural laws was majorly on mechanics. His outstanding contribution in the classification of acceleration, velocity, and instantaneous motion widely influenced natural laws of science. Isaac Newton on the other built on the concepts of instantaneous motion but Galileo and others. However, his work on dispersion, nature of color, wave nature of lights greatly influenced the view of humankind on nature and significantly contributed to notions about natural law.Advertising Looking for essay on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get you r first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Building upon the work of Kepler on the position of the sun at the center of the solar system, Newton developed the law of gravitational pull. His discoveries on the movement of the speed in relation to that of the sun and the Inverse Square Law showed common basis and remained defining discoveries on natural laws. The importance of Newton’s work for eighteenth century philosophy revolves around their impacts on worldview. Newton’s laws of motion managed to achieve a shift from medieval explanations to proven scientific laws with common basis. 1b.The origin of the natural rights philosophy draws its origin form liberal political philosophy of John Locke. Constitutions of most democracies of the world draw their existence from this philosophy. Natural rights philosophy proposes that men are free, equal, and independent. The government has the moral duty to respect the rights of individuals. The â€Å"natural right s† played a key role in the development of American Constitution and form the key principle in which the constitution is based. The fall and disintegration of the French monarchy and its replacement with principles of equality, citizenship, nationalism, and inalienable rights draw roots from the philosophy of natural rights. The French revolution was more radical because of the existence of radical elements that exploited governments problems and weaknesses to seize power and changed system of governance. In French revolution, the radical elements were the Girondins. Furthermore, the fear of neighboring countries about the prospects of the revolution spreading added fuel to the already turbulent situation in France. This created more internal turmoil and gave the radical movements more resolve to seize power as observed in Jacobin’s case in France. The difference in characters of George Washington and Napoleon in their contribution to the different ends of the America n and French Revolutions revolve around the fact that whereas Napoleon spread the revolutionary ideals of liberalism and nationalism across Europe, he failed to live the spirit of liberalism and natural rights for all in France. Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on American History specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More George Washington on the other solved domestic challenges in America and ensured entrenchment of natural rights, thereby appealing to the American majority at the time. 1c.The legacy of the French revolution and the Napoleonic Empire had profound impact in the entire Europe. The ideas of revolution remain embedded in Europe’s law codes and spread to Europe’s colonies across the globe. The non-Europeans were later to use the revolution ideas of French revolution and the Napoleonic Empire to overthrow European’s colonial powers in the rest of the globe. In summary, the French revolution rema ins a powerful force in modern history. American History In 1787, stakeholders convened in Philadelphia to draft a new constitution. Key considerations entailed the need to review various provisions in the Articles of Confederation. However, the failure to reach a consensus promoted the abandonment of the Articles, and the onset of the drafting of a new constitution.Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on American History specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This new document required the approval of at least nine states before it could take effect within the United States. Although numerous controversies and disagreements faced the creation of the new constitution, its ratification by eleven states was a milestone in American history. The Virgin Plan promoted the establishment of a central form of government that would adopt a people-oriented approach. Madison’s proposal of three distinct elements of governance gave citizens control over the executive and judiciary . Conflicts between the Virgin Plan and propositions by representatives of small states led to the introduction of the New Jersey Plan. Small-states’ representatives viewed the proposal concerning the adoption of a general voting for representatives to the lower legislative, rather than the one-state-one-vote approach, as an unfavorable concept (Foner 258). The New Jersey Plan incorporated various aspects within the Articles of Confederation that promoted the adoption of a unicameral legislature in which the vote per state stipulation remained valid. While the Virgin Plan focused on the inclusion of the public in key aspects of national governance and policymaking, the New Jersey Plan presented recommendations that sought to provide some level of influence to states with low populations, and minimize the dominance by states with high populations in crucial aspects of governance. Although both Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson sought the building of a people-oriented cou ntry, they differed in their views concerning appropriate approaches that would help America to achieve various objectives. While Hamilton promoted the need to restrict leadership roles to the affluent and educated individuals, Jefferson viewed the government as an entity that could guarantee optimal results through the reliance on the public as decision makers. Another consideration is Hamilton’s support for the establishment of a national government while Jefferson encouraged the inception of a state government. Hamilton and Jefferson differed on various aspects of the economy such as the necessity of a national debt, an agriculture driven versus urban and infrastructural boosted economy, and the distinction between the powers of state governments and the national government.Advertising Looking for critical writing on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Thomas Jefferson’s views on appropriate gov ernance, as the creation of an entity, which would allow the public to participate in policymaking, highlights aspects similar to Madison’s assertion within the Virgin Plan. On the other hand, Hamilton’s propositions depict aspects of imbalanced governance in which the minority influence decisions that affect the whole population. This demonstrates that he would adopt the New Jersey Plan. The consensus among delegates on the need to promoted unity between states rather than focusing on aspects of equality led to minimal considerations on the issue of slavery. An analysis of the stipulations in the constitution illustrates aspects that strengthened the institution of slavery (Foner 259). The Fugitive Clause and the Three-Fifths Formula gave slave states significant levels of control over slaves. As a citizen of the new American Republic in 1790, I would have favored Madison’s views of a central government as it gives control to the public over crucial aspects of policymaking and leadership. I would have favored the Virgin plan because it clearly outlines the structuring of the government, roles of legislatures and the power bestowed upon the public. Foner, Eric. Give me liberty!: an American history. 3rd ed. New York: W W Norton Company Incorporated, 2012. Print.