US History Honors
2013 Summer Assignment
Mrs. G. Vital-Valdes
Honors US History is an in-depth study of the development of America. This summer assignment is designed to
give you a jump start in the analysis of American History and give you the background into the developmental
stage of the Early Republic. It is imperative that you complete this project; it is designed to give us a foundation
for the in depth topics we will be covering throughout the academic year. When we return to school in the fall,
the summer assignment should be ready to turn in on the first day our class meets.
Your summer assignment requires you to read Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation and answer
questions from each chapter. This landmark work of history explores how a group of greatly gifted but deeply
flawed individuals–Hamilton, Burr, Jefferson, Franklin, Washington, Adams, and Madison–confronted the
overwhelming challenges before them to set the course for our nation.
TITLE: Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation
AUTHOR: Joseph J. Ellis
PUBLISHER: Alfred A. Knopf
ISBN #: 0-375-40544-5
Instructions:
 The questions and answers should be typed (12 font, double spacing between questions) in paragraph
form.
 Each question deserves a one paragraph response.
 You are to include specific references from the book.
Preface:
1. According to Ellis’s preface, what is so phenomenal about the founding of the United States?
2. What does Ellis mean that we need to be “farsighted” when it comes to looking at the founding of our
country?
3. What does Ellis mean that we need to be “nearsighted” when it comes to looking at the founding of our
country?
4. What is the paradox of the revolutionary era?
5. What are some of the criticisms of the Constitutional Convention?
6. What were some of the liabilities of the United States that made it difficult to build a nation?
7. How are the same battles our Founding Fathers fought being fought today?
Chapter One: The Duel
1. What are some of the lingering questions about the duel between Hamilton and Burr?
2. According to Ellis’s explanation, why did Hamilton and Burr duel in the first place?
3. Why do you think Ellis included this event in his examination of the founding of our country? How does
the duel fit in the larger picture?
4. One of the themes that we will be following throughout the text is the issue of character. How does the
duel between Burr and Hamilton relate to the issue of character?
Chapter Two: “The Dinner”
1. What were the two issues at stake in this chapter?
2. What were some of the obstacles for each issue?
3. How was this a true test of the new government?
4. What role did Madison play? What role did Hamilton play? What role did Jefferson play?
5. How does the Compromise of 1790 illustrate the disagreements among the leaders of the revolutionary
era?
6. Why do you think the author spends an entire chapter on this topic?
Chapter Three: The Silence
1. Find a copy of the United States Constitution and locate all of the items relating to slavery. List them
and where you found them.
2. What were some of the initial arguments made for the prohibition of slavery (in spite of the ban on
Congressional discussion until 1808)?
3. Why is this chapter entitled “The Silence”?
4. What made the abolition of slavery very unlikely at this time? Give at least four specific reasons.
Chapter Four: The Farewell
1. One of the themes of Founding Brothers is that of “character.” Along these same lines, what was so
extraordinary about George Washington? Include not only his political accomplishments but also what
the chapter says about his character. How does this relate to the paradox of the American Revolution?
2. What were some of the main points that Washington wanted to make in his Farewell Address?
3. What does Ellis say about Jefferson’s reaction to Washington’s position?
4. After reading this chapter, what do you think about George Washington?
Chapter Five: The Collaborators
1. Who was the “odd couple” of the revolution? Why was the “great collaboration” destined to become the
“great competition”?
2. What problems did Adams face in his presidency?
3. What were the Alien and Sedition Acts 1798?
4. What were the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions? What significance do they hold in the history of the
early republic?
5. How did Jefferson’s views on the French Revolution change?
Chapter Six: The Friendship
1. What was the friendship? When was it formed? How did it change over time? Why?
2. What significance for the history of the early republic does Ellis attribute to the friendship?
3. How did the dialogue, as it unfolded from 1812 through 1826, illuminated issues critical to the early
republic?
4. Contrast the final thoughts of Jefferson and Adams on the revolution. Which one is most commonly in
history books?
5. When did Jefferson and Adams die? Why might this be appropriate?
Note: All work is due first day of class.
Assessment:
Participation
Writing Assignment/Project
Please contact teacher via email at gvitalvald@olla.org if you need clarification on the assignment.