The Crafting of the Constitution

Paper Summary:

The paper attempts to illustrate how the difference between Carol Berkin's "A Brilliant Solution: Inventing the American Constitution", and Robert Middlekauff's "The Glorious Cause" is that of style. The paper compares the authors' treatments of the atmosphere before the Philadelphia Convention, the early part of the Convention and Madison. The paper shows how Middlekauff does a very professional job presenting material thoroughly, but his style is prone to factual narrative, while Berkin writes with a distinctive flair and descriptiveness of the various and diverse personalities.

Outline:
Introduction
Berkin on Pre-Convention Atmosphere
Middlekauff on Pre-Convention Atmosphere
Berkin on the Early Part of the Convention
Middlekauff on the Early Part of the Convention
Middlekauff on Madison
Berkin on Madison
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Carol Berkin's narrative describing the mood of the delegates is focused on the fact that there was much skepticism as to whether the job could get done, whether after the Revolutionary War the young upstart nation could get it together. The "League of Friendship" that served as the temporary national government grew "more impotent, more lethargic, and more incompetent" with every new day (Berkin, 6). So it was definitely time for the leaders in the young nation to get going.
"Berkin (7-8) writes that historians tend to smooth over the rough edges that existed among the personalities who gathered in Philadelphia in May, 1787 behind "locked doors and bolted windows" to hammer out a constitution. The typical historian's view on the proceedings was that these were optimists, confident "manipulators" and "astute politicians," Berkin writes. And she is clearly not a typical historian. But she makes clear that the reality was that there was gloom and a lack of confidence going into the convention. The delegates were "anxious and uncertain," and there was a feeling that the representatives from 13 diverse colonies - with very different problems, attitudes, experiences and issues - would never be able to agree "on anything at all.""

Sample of Sources Used:

• Berkin, Carol. (2002). A Brilliant Solution: Inventing the American Constitution. New York:Harcourt, Inc.
• Middlekauff, Robert. (1982). The Glorious Cause. New York: Oxford University Press.

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• Term Paper # 95237 : "Madison and The Bill of Rights"
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