Lessons From History

I spend a lot of time with teachers, especially middle school teachers. What I'm picking up in our talks is not making me feel all warm and fuzzy. The emphasis these days seems to stress testing (mandated by the state) rather than teaching. American history is so low on the ladder of learning it is under the bottom rung.

Studying history is one of my passions, from onset to present. Our past history is valuable because it shows our flaws and makes one wonder how we've survived this long. It is a lesson, if based on the premise of "if you always do what you always did you'll always get what you always got". It also makes one realize, in retrospect, the Revolutionary War was the easy part.

When forming the new government George Washington had his hands full with Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, fellow Virginians, as well as Alexander Hamilton. Jefferson was a staunch support of states' rights while Hamilton admired the British form of government and wanted a monarchy. One wonders how that would have worked as Washington had no sons in his direct line. If Hamilton's plan had been put into place would we have been electing kings (some presidents thought they were, but I refrain from mentioning names). Was the duel with Aaron Burr the hand of fate stepping in? Then again Burr was an anarchist with an agenda of his own.

It has been written that while Hamilton was brilliant he was a terrible politician, neurotic, impulsive and considered himself a master manipulator which made for distrust and being disliked. He met his match with Jefferson who besides being brilliant, was a master manipulator and formed a coalition with James Madison. They created their own newspaper to attack Hamilton. Not to be outdone Hamilton published his own articles to defend his position and blast Jefferson.

This mudslinging was the basis for Washington to hold formal cabinet meetings to discuss the problems at hand. When he accepted a second term, Martha was not thrilled and felt it would ruin his health. She wanted him to return to his beloved Mt. Vernon. (At this time the capitol had moved from New York to Philadelphia). Washington agreed to the second term if the vote was unanimous, it was. At this point he was concerned the new country could survive.

More to come.