Post #2- Sebastian Vitier
Working on this project helped me better understand the early history of the United States and the people who were responsible for building the foundation of our democracy. Before doing the research, I had heard of many of these historical figures, but I didn’t fully understand what each of them contributed to the creation of the Constitution and the government system we have today. By researching and presenting on Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison, I was able to learn more about their roles and why they are considered such important figures in American history.
Benjamin Franklin was one of the key figures we researched. Many people know Franklin as an inventor or scientist, but he also played a major role in politics and diplomacy during the founding of the United States. Franklin was one of the oldest delegates at the Constitutional Convention in 1787, and he helped bring people together during debates. At the convention, there were many disagreements about how the government should be structured, but Franklin often encouraged compromise and cooperation. His wisdom and experience helped guide discussions and keep the delegates focused on creating a government that could unite the states. Learning about Franklin showed me that leadership isn’t always about being the loudest voice in the room; sometimes it’s about helping people find common ground.
Another important figure we studied was George Washington. Washington is often remembered as the first president of the United States, but his leadership started long before that. He played a crucial role during the American Revolution as the commander of the Continental Army, helping the colonies win independence from Britain. After the war, Washington’s reputation and leadership made him a respected figure during the creation of the Constitution. Even though he did not speak very often during the Constitutional Convention, his presence helped keep the convention organized and serious. Later, as the first president, Washington helped set many precedents that future presidents would follow, such as serving two terms and peacefully transferring power. Learning about Washington helped me understand how leadership and character can influence an entire nation’s future.
Alexander Hamilton was another changemaker we researched. Hamilton had a very strong vision for the future of the United States, especially when it came to building a strong national government. He believed that the country needed a central authority that could manage finances, maintain stability, and support economic growth. Hamilton was one of the authors of the Federalist Papers, a series of essays written to encourage states to ratify the Constitution. Through these essays, he explained why the Constitution was necessary and how it would create a stronger and more organized government. Hamilton later became the first Secretary of the Treasury, where he developed financial plans that helped stabilize the new nation’s economy. Learning about Hamilton helped me understand how economic policies and strong federal leadership played a role in shaping the early United States.
The final constitutional author we focused on was James Madison, who is often called the “Father of the Constitution.” Madison played a central role in designing the structure of the U.S. government. He helped create the Virginia Plan, which proposed a system with three branches of government: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. This idea eventually became the foundation of the Constitution’s structure. Madison also contributed to the Federalist Papers alongside Hamilton and John Jay, explaining the importance of checks and balances within the government. Later, Madison helped write the Bill of Rights, which added important protections for individual freedoms such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press. Studying Madison helped me realize how much thought and planning went into designing the government system that still exists today.
In addition to learning about our own group’s topic, I also found it really interesting to listen to the other groups’ presentations. One presentation that stood out to me was when Alain talked about Susan B. Anthony and her role as a changemaker in the 1800s. He explained how she was one of the most important leaders in the women’s suffrage movement and fought for women’s right to vote in the United States. What I found especially interesting was learning more about her background and how she dedicated most of her life to advocating for equal rights. Susan B. Anthony worked with other activists and helped organize campaigns, speeches, and protests to push for women’s voting rights at a time when women had very limited political power. Alain also mentioned how she was even arrested in 1872 for voting illegally in a presidential election, which showed how committed she was to the cause. Hearing about her story made me realize how much determination it took for people like her to challenge unfair laws and push for change. It also helped me understand that the rights people have today came from many years of activism and effort by individuals who were willing to stand up for equality.
Another presentation that I found really interesting was when Aliyah talked about Paul McCartney and how he influenced politics and society through music. She explained how McCartney became famous as a member of The Beatles and how the band helped shape culture during the 1960s. One thing I learned from her presentation was that McCartney sometimes included political and social messages in his music. For example, she mentioned the song “Get Back,” which was used as satire and commentary on Britain’s attitudes toward immigration at the time. She also talked about the song “Blackbird,” which McCartney later explained was inspired by Black women and their struggles during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. Another interesting part of her presentation was learning about McCartney’s early life and how The Beatles were formed. She explained that when McCartney was young, he learned to play guitar and later met John Lennon at a church picnic in 1957. After meeting, they began writing songs together and eventually formed the band that became The Beatles. Listening to Aliyah’s presentation helped me understand that music can influence society and politics, and that artists like Paul McCartney can become changemakers by using their platform and creativity to share important messages with the world.
In the end, the Changemakers project showed me that the development of American democracy was the result of many different people working together, often with different opinions but a shared goal of creating a stable government. Learning about figures like Franklin, Washington, Hamilton, and Madison helped me better understand the origins of the Constitution and the lasting impact these leaders had on the country. This project not only helped me remember important historical facts, but also gave me a better understanding of how democracy developed over time and why these changemakers continue to be studied today.
Great writing!!
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