Statesmanship and the Country's Founding

Statesmanship and the Country's Founding
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Statesmanship and the Country's Founding
American is an admirable nation in the world because of the advancements it has made not only on technological discoveries but also in the political sphere. Since its creation on July 4th, 1776, American has continued to ensure that it remains true to the aspirations of the founding fathers. The American founders dreamed of a country where citizens could enjoy liberties. The attainment of such a country has been gradual, with numerous changes being effected. In this paper, the role of governance, leadership, and statecraft will be highlighted concerning influencing both the founding fathers and the contemporary individuals towards creating a better nation.
Statesmanship, Statecraft, & Historical Underpinnings
A majority of the founding generation affiliated with Protestant Christianity regarded the Bible as vital to self-government. They esteemed the Bible because of its insights into human nature, political authority, social order, and other crucial aspects for founding a nation (Jackson, Hester & Gray, 2018). Some founding fathers like Benjamin Franklin and George Washington believed that biblical principles like prayer were critical in guiding the nation in making the right decisions. Through prayer, the founders held that God would intervene in the most challenging circumstances and assist leaders to proceed positively with building the American nation. Many believed that the Bible offered instruction on the conceptions of liberty, justice, and citizens' rights and responsibilities. The Bible was regarded as essential in nurturing the civil virtues that provided the people with self-government. The holy book provided leadership models like republicanism, justice, separation of powers, and other statesmanship principles necessary to build a prosperous nation (Schlereth, 2018). The founding fathers held that biblical principles enjoyed divine favor and were worthy following in their policies. Guided by the fact that God is faithful and just, the founding fathers endeavored to model their approach to leadership and statesmanship that honored God. Leaders who acknowledge God demonstrate a high level of humility, and hence servant leadership. Government officials acknowledging God would recognize their limitless power and therefore strife to do what is right.
Statecraft is the art of getting things done in government. The founding fathers demonstrated statecraft, as depicted in their running of the new country. Statesmen should have a vision for something better for their country and rally people behind the vision. The ability to elicit higher character in citizens is critical in putting statesmanship into practice (James, 2018). The founding fathers envisioned a nation with unalienable rights of life and liberties that allowed all individuals to pursue happiness. Their goal was ensuring the separation of powers, hence creating a system of governance that provided checks and balances to prevent any form of tyranny (Li, 2020). The founding fathers were careful not to deny people fundamental freedoms and cause further divisions. Instead, they employed statecraft to guide the nation towards the path of freedom, which would ensure that people were free to pursue their dreams and aspirations. Statecraft was essential in ensuring that the new nation gained momentum by moving towards the intended goal.
There were various critical historical antecedents of the US Constitution and the founding of America. Firstly, the American Revolution was critical in the formation of America. The ideological and political revolution occurred between 1765 and 1791 where 13 colonies formed independent states after defeating the British. The outcome of the war was independence from the British Crown and the establishment of the United States of America. Before the American Revolution, the American colonists objected to the taxation by the British Parliament, a body which they did not have direct representation (Passant, 2017). Before the 1760s, Britain's American colonies had a level of autonomy. However, this ended with the passage of the Stamp Act of 1765, which mandated internal taxes on the colonies, leading to colonial protest. On gaining independence, the new nation needed to replace the weak Confederation by having a nation structured as a federal republic. The idea was a country founded on the concept of the consent of the governed (Passant, 2017). Debates over the institutional structure and how to arrange both state and national governments started. The people questioned the scope of the governmental power, the relations among the various forms, and the role of the people in decision-making. The outcome was the adoption of the Articles of Confederation in 1777. Despite its success, the Articles of Confederation led to a weak Congress. At the same time, several uprisings by dissatisfied citizens led to the Constitutional Convention of 1787. The meeting aimed at proposing amendments to the Articles of Confederation. Finally, on July 17th, 1789, the people ratified the Constitution and accepted it as the supreme law of the land.
Application to Political Leaders
George Washington and Patrick Henry are some of the prominent founding fathers of America who exemplified leadership and craftsmanship.
George Washington
Washington demonstrated good governance in the various positions of power he held. He was a Virginia plantation owner who led the colonial armies during the American Revolutionary War. Later, Washington became the first president of the US, where he served from 1789 to 1797. Thus, Washington emerged as one of the most significant founding fathers of the US. He went to the extent of being referred to as "The Father of the Country" because he exemplified various attributes in his leadership.
Washington was a leader who took his position seriously. Firstly, Washington took responsibility for his leadership. He was ready to serve his country whenever duty demanded. Washington answered to the nation's call, as demonstrated when he led the continental army in 1775 as the Commander in Chief, the president of the Constitutional Convention in 1787, and eventually as unanimously elected as the first president of the US in 1789. According to Newell (2012), where leaders have a responsibility to extend their tenure, they succeed, which Washington did. As a leader, Washington was aware of his flaws and limitations. He learned from his mistakes and forged a way forwards to make the world better (Newell, 2012).
As a statesman, Washington wanted to leave a lasting legacy. Washington wanted to leave behind a more united nation and used every opportunity to urge Americans to embrace unity. He held that the unity of government was the central pillar that could enlighten the actual independence of the US. Washington indicated that national union constituted the fabric of political safety and prospected for all Americans (Newell, 2012). When calls for amending the Constitution emerged, Washington reminded his readers that due process had to be followed, making "usurpation" inexcusable. Washington held that it was time for evolutionary, not revolutionary change" (Newell, 2012).
Patrick Henry
Patrick Henry was one of the founding fathers of the US and the first governor of Virginia. He demonstrated governance as the first and sixth post-colonial Governor of Virgi...