Historiography of the Founding Examining Different Interpretations of Early American History

Historiography Defined the writing of history based on the critical examination of sources, the selection of particulars from the authentic materials, and the synthesis of particulars into a narrative that will stand the test of critical methods * Taken from Webster’s Dictionary

Different Schools of Thought *These terms have different meanings than the modern political definitions Progressive Liberal Republican Multi-Cultural

Progressive Economic Interest drove Founding Fathers Highly Critical of Founders Suspicious of Patriotism Negative view of Constitution

Liberal Enlightenment ideas drove Founding Fathers John Locke’s Natural Rights Government should protect Inalienable Rights Limited Role of Government Free market economy = free harmonious society

Republican Importance of Ideas and Moral character Nation of virtuous individuals Advance of public good Influenced by the Ancient Romans and Greeks Pamphlets from Paine or more important than formal documents

Multi-Cultural Importance of people other than Founders Suspicious of Founders’ intentions Role of women, African Americans, lower classes, and Native Americans Negative view of Constitution