Project 2

Full APA citation:

McGuire, R. A. (2018). North-South Alliances During the Drafting of the Constitution: The Costs of Compromise. In Public Choice Analyses of American Economic History (pp. 13-51). Springer, Cham. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-77592-0_2

Identify author and describe potential biases.

Robert McGuire is a research professor of economics at Akron University. He has a Ph.D. from the University of Washington and has written various books including Pathogens, Parasites, and Progress and To Form A More Perfect Union. Being a research professor, the author could have research bias but that is not seen in this article.

Identify thesis and arguments.

The article refutes conclusions that the south and north alignments assisted the realization and passing of the constitutional convention of 1787. The distinguished economic interest of the region including slavery, merchant and commercial activities led to sectional rifts. These, in turn, created the need for compromises and agreements between both sides to complete the constitution. The author argues the rifts meant that the constitution was predisposed to failure and its original design fell short of serving as the constitution of the nation. This led to civil wars and a southern secession and led to the need for three amendments to save the constitution.

What primary sources did the source rely on?

The author borrows from articles and memoirs published by participants of the drafting of the constitution. This includes letters and memoranda on the views from the south and north alignments.

Is the source reliable and convincing? Why or why not?

The source is reliable and convincing. The author is a professor who has earned his Ph.D. doing research. Being a research professor means that the author intricately understands research and represents it with efficacy, therefore, making it reliable. The author also shows objectivity and is not invested in any side or any particular belief.

How does the source relate to your project topic? How does it add to what you already know about the topic?

The alignment of the north and south during the drafting of the constitution was instrumental in how well the constitution would fare. At the time, the constitution was a big step and its drafting and consequent ratification were heavily reliant on alignments and alliances.