Eleanor Finch
Max Farrand's book, 'The Framing of the Constitution of the United States', published in 1911, is a classic in American constitutional history. It is an account of the Federal Convention that presents an analysis of the conditions, the convictions, and the men who framed the Constitution of the United States. Farrand was an early 20th-century Liberal and an American historian with a particular interest in the Founding Fathers and the organisation of the United States after the American Revolutionary War. His book clarifies the intentions of the Founding Fathers and highlights the issues of 1787 that are still relevant today.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Publication Date | 1911 |
| Author Profession | Historian, Professor, Writer |
| Author Expertise | American History, Founding Fathers, Organisation of the US after the American Revolutionary War |
| Author Political Leanings | Early 20th-Century Liberal |
| Writing Style | Easy, Fluid |
| Content | Documentary Records, Analysis of Framers, Their Intentions, and the Issues of 1787 |
| Number of Volumes | 3 or 4 |
| Best For | Understanding the Constitutional Convention, History of the Constitution, Electoral College |
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What You'll Learn
The intentions of the Founding Fathers
Max Farrand's book, 'The Framing of the Constitution of the United States', offers a detailed insight into the intentions of the Founding Fathers. Farrand, an early 20th-century Liberal and American historian, presents a vivid analysis of the historical context, the beliefs, and the individuals who framed the Constitution.
The Founding Fathers, the framers of the Constitution, were not seeking to create an infallible document but rather to address contemporary issues and prevent future problems. They were individuals with their own biases, interests, and misconceptions, influenced by the social and political conditions of their time. The Founding Fathers aimed to improve the Articles of Confederation, which had governed the nation since its victory over the British. While they incorporated large parts of these Articles into the new Constitution, they also made significant changes to establish the mechanisms and functions of the newly formed federal government.
Farrand's work clarifies the intentions of these Founding Fathers, providing a better understanding of the issues of 1787 that remain relevant today. His book, published in 1911, is considered a classic in American constitutional history. It is based on a comprehensive archive, including notes and letters from the Constitutional Convention, also known as Farrand's Records. This collection offers valuable insights into the discussions, plans, and proceedings of the Convention, making it an invaluable resource for researchers and students of American history and constitutional law.
The Founding Fathers, through the Constitution, sought to create a functional government that could address the challenges of their time. They were successful in laying out the framework for the federal government, but they were also human beings, influenced by their own experiences and the social and political climate of the late 18th century. Farrand's work reminds us that the Founding Fathers were not infallible demigods but rather individuals trying to come to terms with their era.
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The conditions and convictions of the framers
Max Farrand's book, "The Framing of the Constitution of the United States", provides an insightful analysis of the conditions, convictions, and individuals who framed the Constitution. Farrand, an early 20th-century Liberal and American historian, sheds light on the human side of the framers, reminding readers that they were fallible and influenced by their own interests and misconceptions. They were, however, wealthier and more privileged than their fellow citizens.
The book delves into the intentions of the Founding Fathers, clarifying their goals and addressing issues of their time that still hold relevance today. The framers sought to address contemporary problems and lay out the mechanisms of the federal government, rather than creating an infallible document for the future. Their work was a series of compromises, incorporating parts of the Articles of Confederation with minimal changes.
Farrand's writing is praised for its accessibility and comprehensive indexing, making it a valuable resource for understanding the Constitutional Convention and the formation of the United States Constitution. His work, including "The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787", provides a unique perspective on the people and ideas that shaped the Constitution in Philadelphia in 1787.
Farrand's expertise in the field is evident, and his book is considered a classic in American constitutional history. Through his work, readers gain a deeper understanding of the framers' motivations and the challenges they faced during a pivotal moment in the nation's history.
Overall, Max Farrand's "The Framing of the Constitution of the United States" offers a detailed and instructive account of the conditions and convictions of the framers, providing valuable insights into the creation of the United States Constitution and the intentions of those who shaped it.
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The human fallibility of the framers
Max Farrand's "The Framing of the Constitution of the United States" is a classic in American constitutional history. Published in 1911, it presents a vivid analysis of the conditions, the convictions, and the men who framed the Constitution of the United States. Farrand's work clarifies the intentions of the Founding Fathers and highlights the human fallibility of the framers.
The framers of the Constitution were not infallible demigods with divine insight but rather human beings with their own foibles, interests, and misconceptions. They were products of their time, influenced by the late 18th-century ignorance and biases that were prevalent during that era. Farrand reminds us that they were also affected by mundane things like the weather, which influenced their outlooks and moods just as it does for anyone else.
The framers were also far wealthier and more privileged than their fellow citizens. They convened not to create an infallible treatise but to address fundamental problems with the Articles of Confederation, which had governed the nation since its victory over the British. They borrowed heavily from these Articles, inserting large portions of them into the new Constitution with little to no editing.
Farrand's work provides valuable insights into the human fallibility of the framers. He presents them as people trying to come to terms with their times and make governing functional. They were successful in laying out the mechanisms and functions of the newly created federal government, but their work was not without its flaws and compromises.
Farrand's Records, including the notes and letters of the participants, as well as the various constitutional plans proposed, remain a valuable source for understanding the discussions and intentions of the framers during the Constitutional Convention.
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The problems with the Articles of Confederation
Max Farrand's book, "The Framing of the Constitution of the United States", published in 1911, is a classic in American constitutional history. It presents a detailed analysis of the conditions, the convictions, and the men who framed the Constitution of the United States, shedding light on the intentions of the Founding Fathers. The book clarifies that the framers were not demigods with divine insight but human beings with their own interests, misconceptions, and ignorance, who were trying to address the issues of their time.
Farrand's work also reminds us that the framers of the Constitution convened to address the fundamental problems with the Articles of Confederation, which had governed the nation since its victory over the British. Here are some of the key issues with the Articles of Confederation:
Limited Central Government and Lack of Uniformity
The Articles of Confederation established a weak central government with limited authority. Most of the power was vested in the state governments, with each state retaining its sovereignty, freedom, and independence. This distribution of power was chosen due to the colonists' wariness of strong national governments, having just gained independence from the British Crown. However, this led to a lack of uniformity and economic disorganization, with states enacting their own trade policies and regulations, causing competition and conflict between them.
Inability to Regulate Trade and Commerce
Under the Articles of Confederation, Congress had very limited power to regulate trade and commerce. While it could manage trade with Native American tribes, it lacked the authority to negotiate trade agreements with foreign countries and effectively regulate commerce between the states. This resulted in economic chaos and financial hardship for the emerging nation.
Lack of a Uniform Currency
Although Congress had the right to regulate American currency, the Articles failed to establish a single form of currency for the nation. This meant that both the national government and individual states could print their own money, leading to a lack of uniformity in currency, which further complicated trade and commerce.
Ineffectiveness in Governing
As the number of American states grew, the Articles of Confederation became increasingly ineffective at governing. Congress lacked the respect and support of state governments, which were anxious to maintain their power. It struggled to raise funds, make decisions, or conduct foreign policy without the voluntary agreement and compliance of the states. This ineffectiveness led to frustrating delays and an inability to address pressing issues, such as the national debt and economic challenges.
Absence of Checks and Balances
The system established by the Articles of Confederation lacked a mechanism for holding the states accountable. There was no executive or judicial branch to balance the powers of the legislative branch, which itself had limited authority. This absence of checks and balances further contributed to the ineffectiveness of the central government.
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The formation of the Union
Max Farrand's book, "The Framing of the Constitution of the United States", published in 1911, is a classic in American constitutional history. It presents a detailed analysis of the conditions, the convictions, and the men who framed the Constitution of the United States. Farrand, an early 20th-century Liberal and American historian, provides valuable insights into the intentions of the Founding Fathers, shedding light on the issues of 1787 that remain important today.
Farrand's work clarifies that the framers of the Constitution were not infallible or demigods, but rather human beings with their own biases, interests, and misconceptions typical of the late 18th century. They came together in Philadelphia in 1787 to address contemporary problems and lay out the mechanisms and functions of the newly created federal government.
The Constitutional Convention, which ran from May 25, 1787, to September 17, 1787, in Philadelphia, resulted in the creation of the United States Constitution. Farrand's Records, a collection of documentary records from the Convention, remains a valuable resource for understanding the formation of the Union. The records include notes, letters, and proposed constitutional plans, offering a glimpse into the thoughts and deliberations of the framers.
Farrand's writing style is described as easy to follow, and his work provides valuable information on the creation of the electoral college and the series of compromises that shaped the Constitution. His book is considered a "must-read" for anyone studying the history of the American Revolution or constitutional law, as it offers a concise and enjoyable narrative of the people and ideas that came together to form the Union.
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Frequently asked questions
Max Farrand was an American historian with a particular interest in the Founding Fathers and the organisation of the United States after the American Revolutionary War.
Farrand's book presents a vivid analysis of the conditions, convictions and men who framed the Constitution of the United States. It clarifies the intentions of the Founding Fathers and sheds light on the many issues of 1787 that are still important today.
Farrand's writing style is described as "easy" and the book is considered a "classic" in American constitutional history. The book is based on a comprehensive archive and includes a collection of records from the Constitutional Convention.
Farrand's book reminds us that the framers of the Constitution were human beings with their own interests, misconceptions and ignorance of the late 18th century. They were far wealthier and more privileged than their fellow citizens.
Farrand's book is a "must-read" for anyone studying the history of the American Revolution era or constitutional law.
