History Review Wednesday

Wednesday History Review

The Constitution and the Federalist Papers

As any good historian will tell you, primary source documents are the lifeblood of good historical narrative. Our journey begins through the 85 Federalist and Anti-Federalist Papers- the original Point-Counterpoint or Crossfire as it were, of American history.

The Constitution of the nation was not assured and our journey through history could have been far, far different, but for the efforts of 55 patriots who spent a sweltering summer in 1787 trying to figure out what the States should become-a loose assembly of independent entities or a united country.

The Federalist and Anti-Federalist Papers were the documents by which our forefathers debated the role of government, rights and liberties and the entire notion of what the United States was and should become. I will provide some commentary on each set of papers for the next few weeks as we explore how our Constitution was debated and continues to be debated today.

Now, of course, with anything the Grouchy Historian does, there is a book list. All are highly recommended, especially for you homeschoolers out there that want to avoid the liberal, secular, revisionist claptrap history that leads to this actual disclaimer used by Wilder Publications in their edition of the Constitution:

“This book is a product of its time and does not reflect the same values as it would if it were written today. Parents might wish to discuss with their children how views on race, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, and interpersonal relations have changed since this book was written before allowing them to read this classic work."

This is the version I am reading...no fluff, just the original documents in their own words...ugh, and grammar and spelling too.

An essential book for reading the Constitution.  The Heritage Foundation Guide not only explains the background original intent, but provides relevant case law related to that particular section of the Constitution.