Isabella Carter
The Founding Fathers of the United States were the upper echelon of political leadership in the British colonies during the latter half of the 18th century. They were leaders in their communities and respective colonies who were willing to assume responsibility for public affairs. The Founding Fathers played a crucial role in the American Revolution and the creation of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Many of them were known for their love of food and drink, and they often met in taverns to discuss politics and negotiate. Drinking alcohol was a common practice in colonial times, as it was often safer than drinking water, which could carry harmful diseases. The Founding Fathers consumed a variety of alcoholic beverages, including beer, cider, whiskey, and wine. Some, like John Adams and James Madison, were known for their sweet tooth, while others, like George Washington, were renowned for their heavy drinking.
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What You'll Learn
Alcohol was safer than water
The Founding Fathers of the United States were known to be heavy drinkers, with alcohol playing a central role in colonial life. They would often meet in taverns, where they would discuss politics and negotiate, using "liquid courage" to help them hone the concepts that would become the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
One reason for the prevalence of alcohol consumption was that potable water was scarce in colonial times, and much of the available water was contaminated and carried harmful diseases. Drinking water could therefore be life-threatening, and those who could afford to do so would opt for alcoholic drinks instead.
Before the discovery of microbiology, people did not understand why drinking water sometimes made them sick or killed them, and so assumed that water was bad for their health. They noticed that alcoholic drinks were less likely to cause dysentery and cholera, although they did not know that this was because the brewing and distilling process involved boiling the water, which killed harmful bacteria.
While some have disputed the extent of water contamination in the past, it is clear that water-borne diseases were a significant problem. For example, there were cholera outbreaks in London in the 17th century, and monks who drank only beer avoided contracting typhus. In addition, writings from the 1600s by William Bradshaw of Plymouth Plantation indicate that water was known to be dangerous.
In conclusion, while there may have been other factors influencing drinking habits, such as taste and nutrition, the belief that alcohol was safer than water was likely a significant factor in the heavy drinking culture of the Founding Fathers and colonial Americans more broadly.
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Drinking was a negotiation tactic
Drinking was a central and essential part of colonial life. In colonial times, potable water was scarce, and the water that was available often carried harmful diseases, so colonists drank alcohol to stay hydrated. Taverns, where alcohol was consumed, played a vital role in colonial life. They offered services such as post offices, libraries, and courthouses, in addition to alcoholic beverages. For political figures like the Founding Fathers, taverns were also places to gather insider information on political adversaries and propose agendas. Benjamin Franklin, for example, "used taverns as a tool of diplomacy," employing "eating, drinking, and gossiping" as negotiation tactics.
The Founding Fathers, like most colonists, were fans of alcoholic beverages. They drank beer, cider, and whiskey, consuming about three times as much as modern Americans. The Founding Fathers were also known to have a sweet tooth. John Adams, for instance, began his day with a draft of hard cider and ended it with three glasses of Madeira. James Madison was known to consume a pint of whiskey a day, and Washington was a regular drinker, often having a bottle of Madeira at night, accompanied by rum, punch, or beer.
The Founding Fathers' drinking culture is also evident in their celebrations. A bar tab from a 1787 farewell party for George Washington shows that the Founding Fathers drank 54 bottles of Madeira, 60 bottles of claret, 8 bottles of whiskey, 22 bottles of porter, 8 bottles of hard cider, 12 bottles of beer, and 7 bowls of alcoholic punch. There were only 55 attendees at the party. This drinking culture was also present during the drafting of the Constitution. The delegates of the Constitutional Convention, including George Washington, deliberated over "an ale or two" during the famous summer of 1787. After the Constitution was signed, they celebrated by drinking heavily.
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Alcohol was a means of staying hydrated
The Founding Fathers drank alcohol frequently, and in large quantities. Alcohol was a central and essential part of colonial life, and drinking water was often unsafe. Alcohol was, therefore, a means of staying hydrated.
Colonial Americans drank roughly three times as much as modern Americans, and potable water was scarce. The water that was available often carried harmful diseases, including smallpox, lockjaw, and cholera. Drinking water meant risking one's life, so even children drank beer and hard cider.
The Founding Fathers were no exception to this cultural norm. John Adams, the second president of the United States, began every day with a draft of hard cider and ended each day with three glasses of Madeira. He lived to be 90 years old. George Washington, the first president, was also a regular drinker, often enjoying a bottle of Madeira at night, accompanied by rum, punch, or beer. On one occasion, he consumed so much "Fish House Punch" that he couldn't bring himself to mention it in his diary for three days. James Madison, another Founding Father, was known to consume a pint of whiskey a day.
The taverns where alcohol was consumed played a vital role in colonial life and politics. They served as gathering places for socialising and discussing political agendas. Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers, used taverns as a tool of diplomacy, employing "eating, drinking, and gossiping" as negotiation tactics.
In 1787, the Founding Fathers celebrated the signing of the Constitution with a farewell party for George Washington. The bar tab from this party is still intact, providing a glimpse into the drinking culture of the time. At this party, 55 attendees drank 54 bottles of Madeira, 60 bottles of claret, 8 bottles of whiskey, 22 bottles of porter, 8 bottles of hard cider, 12 bottles of beer, and 7 bowls of alcoholic punch.
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Drinking culture in taverns
Drinking culture was a prominent fixture in Colonial America, and taverns played a significant role in colonial life. Taverns were not just places to drink, but also served as venues to meet like-minded individuals and discuss ideas. They were hubs of social activity, where colonists could read newspapers, hold business meetings, or even spend the night. They were also used as meeting places for assemblies and courts.
The Founding Fathers were known to frequent taverns, using them as a tool of diplomacy and negotiation. Benjamin Franklin, for example, engaged in "eating, drinking, and gossiping" in taverns, which helped shape the concepts contained in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. John Adams, America's second president, was also a regular drinker, often starting his day with a draft of hard cider and ending it with three glasses of Madeira. James Madison, another Founding Father, consumed a pint of whiskey a day.
The prevalence of drinking culture in taverns can be partly attributed to the lack of access to clean drinking water during colonial times. Potable water was scarce, and drinking water could lead to harmful diseases such as smallpox, lockjaw, and cholera. As a result, colonists often turned to alcohol as a safer alternative, believing that it was a part of a proper diet. Alcohol was also more readily available and affordable, with distilled spirits becoming widely available in the eighteenth century.
Taverns were also important spaces for the spread of revolutionary ideas. For example, Boston's Green Dragon Tavern was known as the "Headquarters of the Revolution," where the Sons of Liberty plotted the "Boston Tea Party." The Freemasons and the United States Marine Corps also trace their origins back to colonial taverns.
While taverns played a significant role in colonial life, their centrality diminished after the war due to waves of immigration, changing drinking habits, and advances in communication and publishing. However, they left a lasting impact on American history and culture, and some taverns are now preserved as historic locations.
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Alcohol consumption at a farewell party
Alcohol was a central and essential part of colonial life in America, and the Founding Fathers were no strangers to drinking. In fact, they often used taverns as a place to discuss politics and negotiate, with Benjamin Franklin reportedly using "eating, drinking, and gossiping" as negotiation tactics. The Founding Fathers also drank to celebrate significant events, such as the signing of the Constitution.
One notable example of the Founding Fathers' drinking culture is the farewell party held for George Washington in 1787. The bar tab from this party is still intact, and it reveals that the Founding Fathers consumed a significant amount of alcohol. According to the tab, with only 55 attendees, they drank 54 bottles of Madeira, 60 bottles of claret, 8 bottles of whiskey, 22 bottles of porter, 8 bottles of hard cider, 12 bottles of beer, and 7 bowls of alcoholic punch.
This farewell party was likely a celebration of Washington's retirement from the Army, as he did not leave the presidency until 1797. The party was held at Fraunces Tavern in New York City or possibly the City Tavern in Philadelphia, and it was attended by Washington's fellow officers.
The Founding Fathers' drinking culture was influenced by the lack of potable water during colonial times. Drinking water was often contaminated with harmful diseases, so alcohol was consumed as a safer alternative. Additionally, taverns played a vital role in colonial life, serving as gathering places for social and political discourse.
It is important to note that the Founding Fathers' drinking habits should be viewed within the context of their time. Colonial Americans drank roughly three times as much as modern Americans, and alcohol was a common and accepted part of daily life.
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Frequently asked questions
The Founding Fathers drank a lot of alcohol. Colonial Americans drank roughly three times as much as modern Americans. Alcohol was safer to drink than water, which often carried diseases such as smallpox, lockjaw, and cholera.
The Founding Fathers drank beer, cider, whiskey, rum, punch, and wine.
The Founding Fathers drank while writing the Constitution. They also drank to celebrate its completion. At a 1787 farewell party for George Washington, the Founding Fathers drank 54 bottles of Madeira, 60 bottles of claret, 8 bottles of whiskey, 22 bottles of porter, 8 bottles of hard cider, 12 bottles of beer, and 7 bowls of alcoholic punch. There were only 55 attendees.
