1. Dan McGurk Research and Instruction Librarian Pickler Memorial Library
Truman Days Session #2
Dan McGurk
Research and Instruction Librarian
Pickler Memorial Library

2. Readings
Gordon-Reed, A. (2016). Legacy. What is a legacy? History Today, 66(11), &site=ehost-live
Hamilton and History: Are They in Sync?

3. Questions to Consider
Sean Wilentz states in the article that “Hamilton was more a man for the 1 percent than the 99 percent”. What do you think this means? What elements in the musical or in your reading of the Federalist Papers can you find to confirm or refute this?
Gordon-Reed echoes a criticism by the historian Lyra D. Monteiro that “the show’s multiethnic casting obscures the almost complete lack of identifiable African-American characters, making the country’s founding seem like an all- white affair.” Ron Chernow, who wrote the book on which the musical is based, counters that “this show is the best advertisement for racial diversity in Broadway history and it is sad that it is being attacked on racial grounds”. How does the casting enhance or detract from the show’s message?
Gordon-Reed discusses Hamilton as “an unabashed celebration of the American Founding and the Founding Generation” and one of the few theatrical renditions of the American Revolution era. How does the musical affect your understanding of the nation’s founding, compared to what you learned in studies in school? Are there other areas of history that you have learned about through renditions in popular culture?

4. Federalist No. 1
In Federalist No. 1, Hamilton makes clear his intention to persuade his constituents that adoption of the new Constitution. What reasons does he give for advocating for a strong central government? How does the following quote from Federalist 1, support his argument? 
It will be forgotten, on the one hand, that jealousy is the usual concomitant of love, and that the noble enthusiasm of liberty is apt to be infected with a spirit of narrow and illiberal distrust. On the other hand, it will be equally forgotten that the vigor of government is essential to the security of liberty; that, in the contemplation of a sound and well-informed judgment, their interest can never be separated; and that a dangerous ambition more often lurks behind the specious mask of zeal for the rights of the people than under the forbidden appearance of zeal for the firmness and efficiency of government. History will teach us that the former has been found a much more certain road to the introduction of despotism than the latter, and that of those men who have overturned the liberties of republics, the greatest number have begun their career by paying an obsequious court to the people; commencing demagogues, and ending tyrants.

5. Federalist No. 15
In Federalist No. 15, concentrates on the reasons why the present Articles of Confederation is insufficient a means of union between the States. How does this quote relate to his reasoning?
Power controlled or abridged is almost always the rival and enemy of that power by which it is controlled or abridged. This simple proposition will teach us how little reason there is to expect, that the persons intrusted with the administration of the affairs of the particular members of a confederacy will at all times be ready, with perfect good-humor, and an unbiased regard to the public weal, to execute the resolutions or decrees of the general authority. The reverse of this results from the constitution of human nature.
If, therefore, the measures of the Confederacy cannot be executed without the intervention of the particular administrations, there will be little prospect of their being executed at all. The rulers of the respective members, whether they have a constitutional right to do it or not, will undertake to judge of the propriety of the measures themselves. They will consider the conformity of the thing proposed or required to their immediate interests or aims; the momentary conveniences or inconveniences that would attend its adoption. 

6. Federalist No. 78
Federalist No. 78 is a much more specific argument regarding the makeup of the judicial branch. How do his views on the separation of powers between the three branches of government (executive, legislative, judicial) and his thoughts on lifetime tenure for judges relate to current issues in the news? How do the quotes below exemplify his arguments?
The interpretation of the laws is the proper and peculiar province of the courts. A constitution is, in fact, and must be regarded by the judges, as a fundamental law. It therefore belongs to them to ascertain its meaning, as well as the meaning of any particular act proceeding from the legislative body. If there should happen to be an irreconcilable variance between the two, that which has the superior obligation and validity ought, of course, to be preferred; or, in other words, the Constitution ought to be preferred to the statute, the intention of the people to the intention of their agents.
If, then, the courts of justice are to be considered as the bulwarks of a limited Constitution against legislative encroachments, this consideration will afford a strong argument for the permanent tenure of judicial offices, since nothing will contribute so much as this to that independent spirit in the judges which must be essential to the faithful performance of so arduous a duty.

7. Other Reflections on Alexander Hamilton
What can you discern about Hamilton’s life and times that applies to your lives and to modern society
Overcoming obstacles
Ambition: Benefits and drawbacks
Intelligence and Vision: Are there different ways to be “smart”
Legacy: Who will tell our stories when we are gone

8. Other Reflections
It is early in the process but what do you have to say about college life so far
Has anything surprised you?
What would you like to be able to look back on in May of 2019 and say that you have achieved in your first year?
How about in May of 2022?