TRANSLATE
All the members of the Founding Generation were born British citizens. Washington, Adams, Hancock, Jefferson, Paine, Hamilton, and all the rest. We know from our study of history so far, that this generation was particularly good at winning independence and after a few years of the failed government under the Articles of Confederation, good at devising a lasting plan for government as outlined in the Constitution.
But once independence had been won, and once the form of government had been established, it was time to govern, to actually solve the problems of the day.
And they faced many problems. British troops had not left all their forts in the West. Native Americans were fighting back against the advance of White settlers. France, Britain and Spain had little respect for America, or American merchant ships. The Barbary Pirates harassed American ships in the Mediterranean. The government was in deep financial trouble. Political parties were developing and nasty election campaigns were underway.
The Founding Generation might have longed for the good old days when their only problems were winning independence and writing the Constitution.
It is time for you to judge. Was the Founding Generation good at governing?
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