As America turns 250, Joseph Ellis examines the founders’ promise and their failures

What Does It Mean to Be an American?

Exploring American Identity and History

• Geoff Bennett introduces the theme of examining American identity as the nation approaches its 250th birthday, focusing on what the founders built and who was excluded from that vision.

• Judy Woodruff visits the Country Girl Diner in Chester, Vermont, where local resident Scott MacDonald expresses pain over the current political divide in America.

• Wendy Hayward emphasizes that understanding America's past requires confronting how history has been taught, suggesting a tendency to avoid uncomfortable truths.

The Founders' Legacy and Exclusions

• The discussion shifts to critical questions about the founding of America: What kind of country did the founders envision, and who was left out?

• Historian Joseph Ellis shares insights from his extensive research on primary documents from key figures like Washington and Jefferson, highlighting their human flaws.

• Ellis's book "The Great Contradiction" acknowledges that while the founders aimed for unprecedented governance, they also created significant exclusions regarding race and citizenship.

Race and Slavery in Early America

• Ellis explains that power dynamics shifted from divine right to popular sovereignty but notes a critical flaw: many colonialists were unwilling to include all races in this new system.

• By 1776, one-fifth of Americans were enslaved; neither enslaved individuals nor Native nations were represented in the Constitution's promise of "we, the people."

• The failure to address slavery led directly to inevitable conflict; Ellis argues that even those favoring abolition did not support equal treatment for freed slaves.

Continuing Struggles with Race

• Historical reflections by Presidents Kennedy, Bush, and Obama highlight ongoing struggles with racial equality in America.

• Current debates around race education are framed within a historical context of systemic racism persisting despite progress made since founding times.

Native American Exclusion

• Ellis discusses how founders avoided addressing slavery due to fears it would jeopardize national unity during formative years.

• He highlights another major oversight: Native Americans were excluded from citizenship rights and treaties post-Revolutionary War.

• Despite George Washington’s awareness of these failures, subsequent U.S. policies resulted in broken treaties with tribal nations throughout history.

Understanding Historical Contradictions

The Complexity of Reputation and Slavery

• Joseph Ellis discusses the inherent contradictions in historical figures, particularly regarding their reputations linked to slavery, emphasizing that this connection could cause significant damage to their legacies.

• He highlights that the Constitution is not a definitive set of truths but rather a framework for ongoing debate about what those truths are.

The Importance of Dialogue

• Ellis notes the decline in our ability to engage in vigorous yet friendly arguments, suggesting that such discourse is essential for understanding and progress.

Assignments for Understanding History

• As part of his educational approach, Ellis assigns viewers to read the Declaration of Independence and Thomas Paine's "Common Sense," which he describes as pivotal in shaping American history.

Learning from History

Acknowledging Historical Weight

• Wendy Hayward reflects on the necessity of learning from history, asserting that it must be lived through and acknowledged—both its positive and negative aspects.

The Role of Shameful Histories

• Scott MacDonald emphasizes that every nation has shameful parts in its history; what matters most is how we respond to these past events today.

The Future of Democracy

Concerns About Current Elections

• Joseph Ellis expresses deep concern over the upcoming midterm elections, labeling them as potentially the most important in American history. He stresses that indifference towards political engagement is unacceptable.

• He urges individuals to take action based on their beliefs, regardless of where they stand politically.