Malcolm Rivera
The Founding Fathers of the United States were a group of late-18th-century American revolutionary leaders who united the Thirteen Colonies, oversaw the War of Independence from Great Britain, and crafted a framework of government for the new nation. They wrote and signed the United States Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution of the United States. The Founding Fathers, including George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison, feared that political factions would divide the nation, as had happened in England during the 17th century. They argued over federal intervention in the economy, foreign policy, and the authority of the executive branch. One of the fiercest arguments during the Constitutional Convention in 1787 was over congressional representation, which was resolved by a compromise based on population and an equal division among the states.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Founding Fathers include | Those who wrote and signed the United States Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution of the United States |
| Military personnel who fought in the American Revolutionary War | |
| Others who assisted in the nation's formation | |
| Wealthy slave owners | |
| Most identified as "Father" of the United States | George Washington |
| Historian Richard Morris' key founders | John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Washington |
| Arguments over | Federal intervention in the economy |
| Foreign policy | |
| Authority of the executive branch | |
| Relationship and prerogatives of federal and state governments | |
| Congressional representation | |
| Slavery |
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What You'll Learn
Federal intervention in the economy
The Founding Fathers of the United States were a group of late-18th-century American revolutionary leaders who united the Thirteen Colonies, oversaw the War of Independence from Great Britain, established the United States of America, and crafted a framework of government for the new nation. The Founding Fathers include those who wrote and signed the United States Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution of the United States. The single person most identified as the "Father" of the United States is George Washington, a general in the American Revolution and the nation's first president.
The Founding Fathers argued over federal intervention in the economy, foreign policy, and how much authority rested with the executive branch. They also fought bitterly over the relationship and prerogatives of federal and state governments. The Constitution provided a nearly limitless theatre of argument. The founding era was, in reality, one of the most partisan periods of American history.
Another form of federal intervention in the economy is the provision of public goods and merit goods, such as education and healthcare. Government intervention in these areas can lead to a significant improvement in the quality of life for citizens. For instance, a well-educated society can improve labour productivity and economic growth. Additionally, governments can influence consumer behaviour through taxation and advertising campaigns. For example, governments can use higher taxes to make certain demerit goods, such as alcohol and tobacco, more difficult to purchase.
Furthermore, federal intervention in the economy can address issues of inequality and poverty. Governments can provide a basic security net through unemployment benefits and minimum income for those who are sick and disabled. This increases net economic welfare and enables individuals to escape extreme poverty. Government intervention can also prevent social unrest caused by extreme inequality.
Finally, federal intervention in the economy can be necessary to address environmental issues. For example, market forces may lead to the burning of fossil fuels, causing increasing environmental problems. Given the potential costs to future generations, government action is required to shift behaviour towards renewable energy sources. Additionally, governments are needed to deal with issues such as forest fires, rising sea levels, and pressure on water supplies.
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Foreign policy
The Founding Fathers of the United States had differing views on foreign policy, but they all agreed on the importance of safeguarding against foreign influence and corruption. They were wary of foreign entanglements and warned against war for economic resources.
The Founding Fathers, having just gained independence from Britain, were keen to protect their new republic from foreign influence and corruption. They included the emoluments clause and congressional impeachment powers in the Constitution to guard against these threats. They also believed in the importance of sovereignty and independence, with George Washington warning against the influence of foreign governments on the young nation.
The Founding Fathers also had differing views on the role of the federal government in foreign affairs. Some, like Jefferson, favoured states' rights and farmers' interests, while others, like Hamilton, favoured a strong central government. Washington himself believed in a limited government that stayed out of private markets and commercial relations. He also warned against political factions and "entangling alliances" in his Farewell Address.
The Founding Fathers' views on foreign policy continue to influence American politics today. Their ideas about sovereignty, independence, and limited government have shaped how the United States conducts its foreign relations. While they may not provide a direct roadmap, their principles and values continue to guide policymakers and shape the nation's approach to the world.
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Executive branch authority
The Founding Fathers of the United States were a group of late-18th-century American revolutionary leaders who united the Thirteen Colonies, oversaw the War of Independence from Great Britain, and established the United States of America. They include those who wrote and signed the United States Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution of the United States.
The Founding Fathers did indeed argue over the authority of the executive branch. The Constitution of the United States divides the federal government into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial. This was done to ensure that no individual or group would have too much power. The executive branch includes the President, Vice President, and executive departments, independent agencies, and other boards, commissions, and committees.
The President is the head of state, leader of the federal government, and Commander-in-Chief of the Army, Navy, and Militia of the United States. The President has the power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment. The President can also nominate and appoint ambassadors, ministers, consuls, judges of the Supreme Court, and other officers of the United States, with the advice and consent of the Senate. The President is also responsible for executing the laws, commissioning officers, and providing information to Congress on the State of the Union.
The Vice President supports the President and becomes the President if the latter is unable to serve. Both the President and Vice President can be removed from office through impeachment for treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.
The Founding Fathers debated the extent of executive branch authority, with some arguing for a more powerful executive and others expressing concern about concentrating too much power in the federal government. This debate continues to this day, with scholars and legal experts interpreting the Constitution's "loose and general expressions" in different ways.
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Federal and state government relationship
The Founding Fathers of the United States were a group of late-18th-century American revolutionary leaders who united the Thirteen Colonies, oversaw the War of Independence from Great Britain, established the United States of America, and crafted a framework of government for the new nation. The Founding Fathers include those who wrote and signed the United States Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution of the United States.
The relationship and authority of states and the federal government are governed by the US Constitution. The Constitution provided a nearly limitless theatre of argument for the Founding Fathers. They fought bitterly over the relationship and prerogatives of the federal and state governments. They argued over federal intervention in the economy and foreign policy. The Founding Fathers wanted to avoid the divisions that had ripped England apart in the bloody civil wars of the 17th century.
The federal government is delegated certain enumerated powers while all other powers not otherwise prohibited by the Constitution are reserved for the states. Federal action should be limited to situations in which constitutional authority for action is clear and certain, and problems that are truly national in scope. Federal action should be sensitive to each state's ability to bring a unique blend of resources and approaches to common problems. Unless the national interest is at risk, federal action should not preempt additional state action.
The federal government should not dictate state or local government organisation. Governors recognise the unique nature of the federal system and the importance of developing a close working relationship with their federal partners. The federal government must recognise that there are problems that can be best addressed at the state and local levels. Congress should not interfere with state revenue systems. The independent ability of states to develop their own revenue systems is a basic tenet of self-government and the federalist system. The federal government should not enact any legislation or adopt any regulation that would preempt, either directly or indirectly, sources of state revenues, state tax bases, or state taxation methods.
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Congressional representation
The founding fathers of the United States were tasked with revising the existing government but ended up creating a powerful central government. The founding fathers represented wildly different interests and views, and crafted compromises to ensure the country's stability. One of the fiercest arguments was over congressional representation.
The large states wanted both houses of Congress to be based on population size, whereas the smaller states wanted equal representation and one vote per state. Delegates from smaller states insisted on preserving the equal vote they had enjoyed under the Articles of Confederation. They argued that a confederacy "supposes sovereignty in the members composing it & sovereignty supposes equality." On the other hand, delegates from larger states argued that their states contributed more of the nation's financial and defensive resources, and therefore they ought to have a greater say in the central government.
The founding fathers compromised by giving each state one representative for every 30,000 people in the House of Representatives and two representatives in the Senate. This plan, called the "'Great Compromise'" or the "'Connecticut Compromise'," established equal representation in the Senate and proportional representation in the House of Representatives.
The Virginia Plan, drafted by James Madison and introduced by Edmund Randolph, proposed a bicameral national legislature with "rights of suffrage" in both houses proportional to the size of the state. The plan included a four-year citizenship requirement for senators and a seven-year residency requirement for House members. However, it made no mention of citizenship when introduced. The founding fathers also agreed to count enslaved Africans as three-fifths of a person, temporarily resolving the issue of slavery.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Founding Fathers did argue over the Constitution. They had differing interests and views, and the Constitution provided a theatre of argument.
One of the fiercest arguments was over congressional representation—whether it should be based on population or divided equally among the states. The Founding Fathers also argued over federal intervention in the economy and foreign policy, and how much authority rested with the executive branch.
The Founding Fathers feared that political factions would tear the nation apart. They saw parties, or "factions", as corrupt relics of the monarchical British system. They wanted to avoid the divisions that had occurred during the English Civil Wars of the 17th century.
The Founding Fathers were a group of late-18th-century American revolutionary leaders who united the Thirteen Colonies, oversaw the War of Independence from Great Britain, established the United States of America, and crafted a framework of government for the new nation.
