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