Simone Lawson
The Founding Fathers were a group of individuals who played pivotal roles in America's independence from Great Britain and the establishment of the United States government. The group included 70 individuals appointed by the original states to the Constitutional Convention, with 55 delegates in attendance and only 39 signing the Constitution. The Founding Fathers had differing beliefs and opinions about the future of the United States, but they worked together to write the framework for the system of government that has lasted over 200 years. The list of Founding Fathers includes John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, Patrick Henry, James Madison, James Monroe, Thomas Paine, and George Washington, among others. The term Founding Fathers was popularized by President Warren G. Harding and is now commonly used to refer to these historical figures.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of individuals appointed to the Constitutional Convention | 70 |
| Number of delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention sessions | 55 |
| Number of delegates who signed the Constitution | 39 |
| Age range of the delegates | 26-81 |
| Number of signers of the Declaration of Independence | 56 |
| Number of Founding Fathers | 7 |
| Number of Founding Mothers | 6 |
| Age of George Washington when he accepted command of the American Army | 43 |
| Age of Thomas Jefferson when he wrote the Declaration of Independence | 33 |
| Age of John Adams when he argued for American independence | 40 |
| Age of James Madison when he attended the Constitutional Convention | 36 |
| Age of John Jay when he became the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court | 43 |
| Age of Alexander Hamilton when he was made Secretary of the Treasury | 33 |
| Age of Benjamin Franklin at the Second Continental Congress | 70 |
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What You'll Learn
The Founding Fathers
The term "Founding Fathers" was popularized by Warren G. Harding, the 29th President of the United States. The names included in this group vary, but they often include John Adams, Samuel Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, Thomas Paine, and George Washington. The name can also refer to the members of the Constitutional Convention, the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and/or the drafters of the Constitution.
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The Constitutional Convention
Initially, the convention was intended to revise the existing Articles of Confederation and improve the league of states. However, leading proponents, including James Madison of Virginia and Alexander Hamilton of New York, sought to establish a new system of government rather than simply revising the existing one. Madison, who arrived in Philadelphia eleven days early, set the convention's agenda with his document, "Vices of the Political System of the United States," which identified weaknesses in the American political system and proposed solutions.
The convention was attended by 55 delegates, representing all original states except Rhode Island. The delegates ranged in age from 26 to 81, with Benjamin Franklin being the oldest at 81 and Jonathan Dayton the youngest. The delegates had diverse religious backgrounds, with Anglicans, Protestants, and Catholics among them.
During the convention, the delegates debated and ultimately ratified the United States Constitution, establishing a federal government with more specific powers, particularly in conducting foreign relations. They created a model of government that divided federal authority among the legislative, judicial, and executive branches, with checks and balances in place. The role of the executive was a highly debated topic, including discussions on whether power should be vested in a single chief executive or divided among three people, and how a president would be elected.
Another contentious issue was slavery, with delegates discussing the inclusion of a fugitive slave clause, the potential abolition of the slave trade, and whether slaves should be counted in proportional representation. While the Founding Fathers made some efforts to contain slavery, it was a complex and divisive issue.
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The Declaration of Independence
The Founding Fathers were a group of individuals who played pivotal roles in America's independence from Great Britain and the establishment of the United States government. The term "Founding Fathers" was popularized by Warren G. Harding, and it now refers collectively to several historical figures. The names included on this list vary, but they often include John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, Patrick Henry, James Madison, James Monroe, Thomas Paine, and George Washington. The name can also refer to the members of the Constitutional Convention, the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and/or the drafters of the Constitution.
The Founding Fathers are often viewed as a single entity that worked together to create one American nation. However, in reality, they had extremely different views on various issues, including the role of the federal government, slavery, and the radicalism or moderation of the American Revolution. Despite their differences, they worked together and indulged the views of their colleagues, writing the framework for a system of government that has lasted for over 200 years.
The Founding Fathers' accomplishments and shortcomings must be viewed within the context of their time. While they successfully secured liberty for their nation, they also had differing beliefs about the future of the country. Additionally, nearly half of them were slaveholders, and all of them profited from the system of slavery in the United States. Despite these shortcomings, the Founding Fathers laid the foundation for a nation that would eventually strive to ensure that all Americans were provided with equal rights and protections under the law.
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The Federalist Papers
The Founding Fathers of the United States were the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1787, of whom only 39 signed the Constitution. The Founding Fathers were essential to the creation of the country and the American form of government and ideals of liberty. The Founding Fathers were not a monolithic group, and they often disagreed with each other on issues such as the role of the federal government, slavery, and the radicalism of the American Revolution.
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The Founding Mothers
The birth of the United States of America is often attributed to the Founding Fathers—the men who signed the Declaration of Independence, battled the British, and framed the Constitution. However, the wives, mothers, sisters, and daughters they left behind have been largely ignored by history. These women, often referred to as the Founding Mothers, played an important role in the forging of a new nation. While their husbands, fathers, brothers, and sons went off to war or to Congress, the Founding Mothers managed their businesses, raised their children, provided political advice, and made it possible for the men to do what they did.
Some Founding Mothers, like Eliza Pinckney, corresponded with like-minded women in England. Others, like Deborah Read Franklin, managed their husbands' businesses while they were away. Still, others, like Esther DeBerdt Reed, raised funds for the army. Catherine Littlefield Green, meanwhile, was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, who successfully petitioned to have Revolutionary veteran Margaret Corbin reburied at West Point.
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Frequently asked questions
The Founding Fathers were the framers of the Constitution, which established the three branches of the US government and protects the rights of each American citizen.
The Founding Fathers is the name collectively given to several historical figures who played pivotal roles in America's independence from Great Britain and the establishment of the US government. The list includes John Adams, Samuel Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, Thomas Paine, and George Washington, among others.
The Founding Fathers drafted the Constitution, which created a separation of powers between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the government. They also held important roles in the early government of the United States. For example, Washington, Adams, Jefferson, and Madison served as the first four presidents, Jay was the first chief justice, Hamilton was the first secretary of the treasury, and Jefferson was the first secretary of state.
Yes, many of the Founding Fathers feared that future generations might not be capable of maintaining American liberty. They also had differing beliefs and opinions about the future of the nation, including the role of the federal government, the issue of slavery, and the radicalism or moderation of the American Revolution.
The Founding Fathers are celebrated for their contributions to the creation of the United States and its system of government. Their work has had a global and timeless impact, and their accomplishments are viewed within the context of their time. However, it is also recognized that they were not perfect, and they were unable to address certain issues such as slavery.
