"Vindicating the Founders"

Paper Summary:

This paper looks at how Robert G. West, in "Vindicating the Founders", analyzes the actions of the Founding Fathers and discusses the factors that influenced them as they debated the framework of American government. The paper shows how West is critical of the ambivalence of many modern historians and political scientists regarding the Founding Fathers. The paper discusses how West strives to refute the negative portrayals recent scholars have presented, especially in terms of their allegations that many of the Founders had racist, elitist and sexist worldviews. The paper notes the strengths and weaknesses of the book and concludes with a strong recommendation.

From the Paper:

"Vindicating the Founders is convincing and provides much needed balance to recent historiography, for too many recent biographies and histories have minimized the triumphs "that they won on behalf of freedom" and focused far too much on "their supposed racism, sexism, and elitism." (West XI) West clarifies these issues by explaining the commonly held political and social beliefs of the Founding Fathers, which serves to debunk the various myths and misrepresentations offered by both liberals and conservatives, in academia as well as politics."

Sample of Sources Used:

• West, Robert G. Vindicating the Founders. New York: Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, 2001.

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