Providential History Series

Revolution! – Founding I

This is the second course in the Providential History Series. 

In this course we will examine Providence at work in the founding of America, from Christopher Columbus and the settlements at Jamestown and Plymouth, to the convention at Philadelphia in 1787 and beyond.  Many of those involved in these events felt inspired to move forward the designs of Providence – indeed, some saw the establishment of America as the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy, a land from which the principles of liberty and pure religion could radiate to illumine a darkened world. 

We have before us today an even greater challenge (and opportunity!) than our Founders had.  I believe our young men and women will rise to the challenge as they learn not just metaphorically to stand on the shoulders of great ones, but also, perhaps even more importantly, literally to stand with those great ones as God helps them fulfill their missions.

Week 1:           Introduction.  God’s purpose in inspiring Columbus, Importance of America’s Founding, Constitutional principles, Foundings in the historical cycles, Concord Minutemen, Trenton Continentals, Princeton Extra-milers.

Week 2:           New Colonies.  Jamestown, Puritans & Pilgrims, Biblical foundations (A new Israel). 

                        Please study about the settlements of Jamestown and Plymouth, and read the *Mayflower Compact and Watertown Covenant.

                        Additional reading:  *Virginia Articles, Laws, and Orders; *Fundamental Orders of Connecticut; *Massachusetts Body of Liberties; John Winthrop, *”Little Speech on Liberty”; New England Confederation.

Week 3:           English History and Strained Ties.  Magna Charta, Stuarts, English Civil War, Glorious Revolution, English Bill of Rights, Act of Union, John Wesley and the Great Awakening, Hohenzollern Kings, French and Indian War, Taxation Without representation.

                        Please read Mary Mostert, Banner of Liberty Book I, chapters 1-4; John Dickinson, “Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania,” Letters *V, VII, and *IX.

                        Additional reading:  Charles Dickens, A Child’s History of England chapters 14 and 32-37 (or equivalent history of England for the subjects listed above); *Magna Charta, 1215, *Petition of Rights, 1628; *The English Bill of Rights, 1689; *Resolutions of the House of Burgesses, 1765; *Declarations of the Stamp Act Congress, 1765; Nathaniel Hawthorne, “The Gray Champion” in Twice-Told Tales.

Week 4:           War Actually Begun.  Boston Massacre, Boston Tea Party, Intolerable Acts, First Continental Congress, Lexington and Concord, Bunker Hill, a new Commander-in-chief, Ticonderoga, guns on Dorchester Heights, Quebec.   John Adams defends British soldiers, Sam Adams and the Sons of Liberty, Nathanael Greene, Henry Knox.

                        Please read Mostert, Book I, 5-13, 15.

                        Additional reading:     Silas Downer, *“A Discourse at the Dedication of the Tree of Liberty”; *Declaration and Resolves of the First Continental Congress, 1774; Patrick Henry, “Give me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech.

Week 5:           A New Nation.  The Declaration of Independence; Providence at work at Long Island, Trenton, and Princeton.       

                        Please read Mostert 14, 16-28

                        Additional reading:  Thomas Paine, *“Common Sense”, *Declaration of Independence; Paine, “Crisis 1”.

Week 6:           Recognition + A Real Army = Victory.  Adams and Franklin in Paris, von Steuben at Valley Forge, de Kalb dies at Camden, Benedict Arnold – Pride cometh before the fall, Daniel Morgan halts British success in the South, the French fleet arrives, Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown.

                        Please read Mostert II, 1, 3-10.

                        Additional reading:  *The Articles of Confederation; John Adams, *“Thoughts on Government”; *Northwest Ordinance.

Week 7:           The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived?  Washington eschews taking power, a nation of laws is formed.  The Newburgh Conspiracy, Articles of Confederation go into effect, Washington resigns his commission, Shays rebellion, Washington urges reforms, convention at Philadelphia.

                        Please read Mostert II, 2, 11-15.

                        Additional reading:  Federalist *10, 15, 16, 22, *51

Week 8:           Article I.  The Legislature.

                        Please read Mostert II, 15-19; Constitution, Article I.

                        Additional reading:  Federalist 55, 58, 62, 64.

Week 9:           Article II.  The Executive.

                        Please read Mostert II, 20-22; Constitution, Article II

                        Additional reading:  Federalist 68, 70, 73, 74, 75.

Week 10:         Articles III-VI.  The Judiciary, etc.

                        Please read Mostert, II, 23-26; Constitution, Articles III-VI

                        Additional reading:  Federalist *78, 82; Brutus, “Essay XI”.

Week 11:         Activity.  Constitution wrap-up and Bill of Rights.

                        Please reread the Constitution and diagram it for class.

                        Additional reading:  Federalist *84; Brutus, *“Essay I”.

Week12:          Which America?  Competing visions for America, the first peaceful transfer of power, party system prompts changes in Electoral College.  National Bank, Election of 1800, Twelfth Amendment.

                        Please read Thomas Jefferson, *“Opinion against the Constitutionality of a National Bank”.

                        Additional reading:  Alexander Hamilton, *”Opinion as to the Constitutionality of the Bank of the United States”; Marshall, *Marbury v. Madison.

 *These documents can be found in Bruce Frohnen, ed., The American Republic:  Primary Sources.

Recommended Readings:

We will be using Mary Mostert’s Banner of Liberty Series, a two volume set on the Revolution and Constitution, as optional study aids.  The cost is $12 for volume II, which includes a CD ROM containing study questions and links to all of the source material found on the internet.  The author has generously offered to include volume I at no cost.   This is a great deal for all of the information contained in these two volumes!           

Mrs. Mostert tells the story of the revolution simply and clearly, using many inspiring quotes from primary and other sources.  One of my main reasons for recommending these books is that most of her source material comes from websites (universities, historical associations, etc.), and is therefore easily accessible to students for further research and study.  My primary reason, however, for using the books is the author’s concise and informative narrative of the Constitutional Convention in volume II.  The Constitutional Convention of 1787 will serve as the focal point of the class.

Chapters from these books, along with other readings, will be recommended in preparation for each class period.  The additional readings can all be found on the internet, and the students will be provided with a sheet of links to many of these internet sources.  The American Republic:  Primary Sources also contains many of these readings and can be ordered from libertyfund.org for $12. 

There will be no required reading.  Instead, the course is designed to allow students, in consultation with their mentors, to set out their own study plans to fit their individual missions and personal needs.  There is no way we could adequately cover the whole history of American’s Founding in twelve 1½-hour classes.  My intent is to expose students to stories and ideas which will inspire them to search further on their own into areas which will help prepare them as individuals to take part in Providential designs.