1. What is Carol Berkin's thesis?
Although they were not aware of it, the Founding Fathers managed to create a document that would be able to serve as the highest law of the land for generations to come.
2. Is she successful in supporting her thesis? Why or why not? To what extent?
Are particular chapters stronger than others are? Are any chapters
particularly problematic?
She is successful, in my opinion, although I might be a bit biased because I agree with her. She portrayed the convention-goers as real people trying to work together to solve a problem just like people today, not as superheroes. The chapters all fit together to support her thesis - nothing sticks out as unfitting.
3. Do you agree with her theory? Why or why not?
I mostly do. It's held up really well, since they were able to think so far into the future, even as far as social change. The only thing that's an issue for me is that there are some things going on right now that would make the Founding Fathers grunt in annoyance in their graves. The first one is corporation dominance. Corporations pay lobbyists to rally for changes that are really only suggested to benefit said corporation. This ties into something I have a big issue with, net neutrality. You want me to pay a higher monthly rate to my internet provider to watch monetized videos on Youtube? Absolutely not. I've also been upset with the increasing reports of police brutality - there's nothing in the Constitution to address that. Perhaps there will be some kind of amendment soon. There's also some stuff that I still can't believe people have to protest. Things like LGBT and women's rights.
4. Is A Brilliant Solution: Inventing the American Constitution the best title for
this book? What title would you give to this book? Explain your answer.
It's an okay title, but I don't think it's anything special. I actually kind of gagged when I first read the assignment because I thought it was going to be boring. (It wasn't boring. Way better than last year's project.) I'd probably name it something ridiculous but exciting, something like "America's 1700's Power Rangers: Butt Kicking Aftermath". I say Power Rangers because I pretended all of the characters were Power Rangers to make the book more exciting.
5. Share any other reactions, thoughts, or questions you have.
I'm just glad to be done with this project so it's not hanging over my head anymore. It was a lot better than last year's project, at least. I didn't even read the whole book last time because I disliked it so much.