Articles by Eleanor Stratton

Locke’s Influence on American Politics

Born on August 29, 1632, in Somerset, England, John Locke grew up in a well-to-do Puritan family during a time of political turmoil. His early years were marked by the English Civil War, a conflict where his father served as a cavalry captain. Locke found the classical curriculum at Oxford lacking...

John Locke , often credited as the father of modern republican government, had a profound impact on the American Founding Fathers. Locke's theory of natural rights argued that every individual is entitled to life, liberty, and property, principles woven into the Declaration of Independence. He...

Marbury v. Madison (1803) significantly shaped American constitutional law. Chief Justice John Marshall presided over the case, which established the Supreme Court's authority to review acts of Congress and determine their constitutionality through judicial review. The case arose when William...

The American Constitution contains several key provisions aimed at protecting individual rights. Initially, the founders did not include a Bill of Rights, believing that the structure they created, with a balanced distribution of power, would be sufficient to curb any potential overreach. However,...

The formation and governance of the Northwest Territory marked a significant chapter in American history. The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 laid the groundwork for expansion and governance in the newly acquired lands, structuring the political landscape and setting important precedents for civil...

Hamilton’s Financial Plan

When Alexander Hamilton suggested that the federal government assume state debts from the Revolutionary War, it wasn't just about paying bills. This move aimed to build unity and trust in the newly formed United States. States owed around $25 million, a significant sum at the time. Hamilton...

On May 25, 1787, representatives gathered at the Pennsylvania State House, setting the stage for what became the Constitutional Convention. George Washington, unanimously elected to preside, brought significant legitimacy to the gathering. James Madison, with rigorous studies in history and...

The Articles of Confederation held promise but crumbled under strain. States acted on their own whims, with little regard for collective well-being. They printed their currencies, taxed each other's goods, and struggled to pay off war debts. Congress, powerless to tax or raise an army, sat...

Natural Rights, a foundational concept inspired by John Locke, is deeply embedded in the Constitution. Locke's theory posits that all individuals inherently possess certain rights—life, liberty, and property. These rights aren't granted by governments but are inherent to human existence....

Founders’ Vision of Religious Freedom

The American founding era encompassed a vast spectrum of religious beliefs, reflecting the diversity of the population itself. Approximately 98% of Americans of European descent identified with Protestantism , predominantly adhering to the reformed theological tradition. This demographic shaped the...

During the late 1780s, the United States faced significant challenges with its initial governing framework, the Articles of Confederation. These issues prompted the creation of the Federalist Papers, a series of essays aimed at advocating for a stronger central government under the newly proposed...

Natural law is the cornerstone behind the formation of American government. This concept has roots that stretch back to ancient philosophical traditions, having been elaborated upon by key thinkers. Thomas Aquinas, the medieval philosopher and theologian, saw natural law as part of a larger...

The Anti-Federalists emerged from a distinct historical context, preferring localized government and fearing a strong central authority would trample individual liberties. This fear wasn't unfounded, given their experience with British rule. They saw the proposed Constitution as potentially...

The Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton , James Madison , and John Jay , advocated for a strong national government through the Constitution. They believed centralized power would effectively bind the states, fostering unity and stability. Opposing them were the Anti-Federalists, including...

Thomas Paine's journey from England to America brought with it a significant shift in pace and purpose. Born in Thetford, England, on February 9, 1737, Paine's early years were marked by a sequence of professional failures. He worked variously as a corset maker, teacher, and excise officer – none...

George Washington, known as the "Father of His Country," was crucial in the creation and early leadership of the United States. As the first President, his leadership style set key precedents for future officeholders. His role as the commanding general of the Continental Army during the American...

When Alexander Hamilton entered King's College in 1773, he already had a mastery of Greek and Latin grammar. He could read three orations from Cicero and Vergil's Aeneid in the original Latin, and translate the first ten chapters of the Gospel of John from Greek into Latin. This was not uncommon...

The philosophical foundations of the United States Constitution are deeply rooted in the ideas of natural rights, separation of powers, republicanism, and the social contract. These principles were carefully considered by the Framers to create a system of governance that balances individual...

The Constitutional Convention assembled numerous Revolutionary War veterans who significantly contributed to the creation of the nation's founding document. These individuals, well-acquainted with the difficulties of wartime leadership and the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation, provided...

Schools in wealthy areas often have more funding, better facilities, and a wider array of extracurricular activities. Meanwhile, schools in less affluent areas struggle to provide basic educational resources. This imbalance can lead to unequal opportunities for students, affecting their academic...