Vindicating the Founders

Race, Sex, Class, and Justice in the Origins of America

By: Thomas G. West

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Paperback | 28 November 2000

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236 Pages

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23.62 x 15.44 x 1.42

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According to the conventional wisdom of our time, our nation's Founders were guilty of racism, sexism, and elitism. They were hypocrites who failed to live up to their own enlightened principles. The fact that Washington and Jefferson held slaves is taken as definitive proof that they never really believed "all men are created equal." It is also widely asserted that women, even after the American Revolution, enjoyed virtually no rights, and that the poor and property-less were denied the basic tenets of democratic participation. Observing that our understanding of the Founders so profoundly influences our opinion of contemporary America, Thomas West demonstrates why the Founders were indeed sincere in their belief of universal human rights and in their commitment to democracy. More importantly, this landmark book explains why their views, and particularly the constitutional order they created, are still worthy of our highest respect. In a straightforward style, West debunks numerous widely held myths about the Founders' political thought. He contrasts the Founders' ideas of liberty and equality with today's, concluding that contemporary notions of liberalism bear almost no resemblance to the concepts originally articulated by the Founders. This controversial, convincing, and highly original book is important reading for everyone concerned about the origins, present, and future of the American experiment in self government.

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West is committed to understanding the American founders accurately and in their own terms. His work is unfailingly penetrating and trustworthy, and I eagerly seek it out.

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You Can Find This Book In

Non-Fiction History Regional & National History History of the Americas Politics & Government Central Government Political Structure & Processes Constitution & The Government & The State Political Parties

Acknowledgments	p. ix
Preface	p. xi
Slavery	p. 1
Property Rights	p. 37
Women and the Right to Vote	p. 71
Women and the Family	p. 85
Was the Founding Undemocratic? the Property Requirement for Voting	p. 111
Poverty and Welfare	p. 131
Immigration and the Moral Conditions of Citizenship	p. 147
Afterword	p. 175
Notes	p. 181
Index	p. 211
About the Author	p. 219
Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.

Vindicating the Founders

Race, Sex, Class, and Justice in the Origins of America

At a Glance

Paperback

Industry Reviews

Shipping

How to return your order

Defective items

You Can Find This Book In

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