Eleanor Finch
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 first five US presidents are regarded as Founding Fathers for their active participation in the American Revolution: Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe. The Founding Fathers were not all in agreement, and their differences of opinion destroyed friendships and threatened to pull the country apart.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Founding Fathers | 7 primary Founding Fathers, dozens of others played smaller but valuable roles |
| Average age | 43 |
| Age range | 26–81 |
| Occupations | Lawyers, businessmen, planter-farmers, military personnel |
| Documents signed | Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, U.S. Constitution |
| Number of signers of the U.S. Constitution | 39 |
| First five U.S. presidents | Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe |
| Other notable Founding Fathers | Alexander Hamilton, John Hancock, George Mason, Thomas Paine, Benjamin Franklin, John Marshall, Samuel Adams, Abigail Adams |
| Role in U.S. independence | Played pivotal roles in America's independence from Great Britain and the establishment of the U.S. government |
| Views | Extremely different views on the role of the federal government, slavery, and the American Revolution |
| Legacy | Left an unparalleled legacy in world history |
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What You'll Learn
The Founding Fathers were involved in the American Revolution
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. They also include certain military personnel who fought in the American Revolutionary War, and others who greatly assisted in the nation's formation.
The Founding Fathers were not a monolithic group, and they often disagreed with each other 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 to create the framework of the American government and secure independence from Great Britain.
The first five U.S. presidents, Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe, are considered Founding Fathers due to their active participation in the American Revolution. They represented the upper echelon of political leadership in the British colonies and were influential leaders in their communities and respective colonies. They also served as delegates to the Continental Congress.
In addition to these key figures, dozens of others played smaller but significant roles in the American Revolution and the founding of the nation. Some of these individuals include George Mason, Patrick Henry, John Hancock, John Marshall, and Samuel Adams. Women, such as Abigail Adams and Mercy Otis Warren, also made important contributions despite facing obstacles like a lack of access to education.
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Many Founding Fathers were slaveholders
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.
Many of the Founding Fathers were slaveholders. George Washington, the single person most identified as the "Father" of the United States, owned hundreds of slaves. Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, also owned hundreds of slaves throughout his life and may have fathered children with one of them, Sally Hemings. James Madison, who forged the American republic and built the framework of its government, was also a slaveholder. Benjamin Franklin, who was America's senior diplomat during the Revolutionary War, owned slaves early in his life but later became the president of the first abolitionist society in the United States. Alexander Hamilton, who played a towering role in the founding of the American republic, did not own slaves himself but married into a large slave-owning family. John Jay, the nation's first chief justice, was the son of one of the largest slaveholders in New York and owned slaves himself.
The Founding Fathers' views on slavery were complex and often contradictory. While many of them acknowledged that slavery violated the core American Revolutionary ideal of liberty, they struggled to reconcile this belief with their commitment to private property rights and limited government. Some, like Jefferson, recognized that slavery violated the natural rights of the enslaved while simultaneously absolving Americans of responsibility for owning slaves. Others, like Washington, began to change their views during the Revolutionary War, expressing a desire to get clear of owning slaves. Despite their talk of gradual abolition, no national abolition legislation ever materialized during the Founding Fathers' lifetimes.
The issue of slavery proved challenging for the Founding Fathers, and it continued to be a source of tension and debate in the United States for many years after the nation's founding.
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Some Founding Fathers were young when they helped create the country
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 average age of the Founding Fathers was 43. However, some of them were quite young when they helped create the country. For instance, Thomas Jefferson was 33 years old when he wrote the Declaration of Independence. John Adams was 40 when he argued for American independence. James Madison was 36 at the Constitutional Convention. John Jay was 43 when he became the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Alexander Hamilton was 33 when he was made Secretary of the Treasury. Jonathan Dayton was the youngest delegate at the Constitutional Convention at 26 years old.
The Founding Fathers were the upper echelon of political leadership in the British colonies during the latter half of the 18th century. All were leaders in their communities and respective colonies who were willing to assume responsibility for public affairs. Many of them were lawyers, while the rest were primarily businessmen and planter-farmers. Most of them were of English ancestry, though many had family roots extending across various regions of the British Isles, including Scotland, Wales, and Ireland.
The Founding Fathers are often viewed as old men with white wigs and false teeth. However, this perception does not accurately represent the diversity of ages among the group. While some were older, such as Benjamin Franklin, who was 70 at the Second Continental Congress, many others were in their thirties and forties, actively contributing to the creation of the country.
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The Founding Fathers were not all present at the signing of the Constitution
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.
Of the 55 delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention, 16 did not sign the document. Three refused, while the remainder left early, either in protest of the proceedings or for personal reasons. Nevertheless, some sources regard all 55 framers as founders, including those who did not sign. Randolph, Mason, and Gerry were the only three present at the Constitution's adoption who refused to sign.
While George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe are regarded as Founding Fathers for their active participation in the American Revolution, none of them signed the Declaration of Independence. Washington, the first president of the United States, was defending New York City when the Declaration of Independence was signed. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were the nation's first two vice presidents. Madison, the "Father of the United States Constitution", was only 25 years old when the Declaration of Independence was signed, and a member of the Virginia state legislature. He later became a delegate to the Continental Congress and, like Washington, survived the second and third presidents.
Alexander Hamilton, another Founding Father, was with the Continental Army in New York City when the Declaration of Independence was drafted, approved, and signed. He was only 19 years old at the time. Hamilton rose from obscurity to become a towering force in the founding of the American republic. He envisioned a nation fortified by unity, order, and economic strength. Along with Madison and John Jay, Hamilton authored The Federalist Papers, writing 29 of the 85 essays.
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The Founding Fathers were not all in agreement
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. 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 Founding Fathers were also not all in agreement when it came to signing the United States Constitution. The original states, except Rhode Island, collectively appointed 70 individuals to the Constitutional Convention. A number of these individuals did not accept or could not attend, including Richard Henry Lee, Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock. In total, 55 delegates attended the Constitutional Convention sessions, but only 39 actually signed the Constitution. Three of the 55 delegates who attended the convention, Randolph, Mason, and Gerry, were the only three present at the Constitution's adoption who refused to sign.
The Founding Fathers also had differing opinions on the role of the federal government. While some, like Washington, believed in a strong federal government, others, like Jefferson, favoured a more limited central government and stronger state governments. These differing views shaped the structure and function of the federal government in the early years of the United States.
In addition, the Founding Fathers had varying perspectives on the issue of slavery. While many of them were wealthy slave-owners, others, like John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, were vocal opponents of slavery and advocated for its abolition. The issue of slavery was a contentious topic among the Founding Fathers and would continue to be a source of conflict in the United States for many years to come.
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Frequently asked questions
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 list of Founding Fathers is often expanded to include the signers of the Declaration of Independence and individuals who later approved the U.S. Constitution.
The Founding Fathers played a pivotal role in America's independence from Great Britain and the establishment of the United States government. They were the leaders in their communities and respective colonies who were willing to assume responsibility for public affairs. They include some of the most prominent figures in American history, such as George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, Alexander Hamilton, and Benjamin Franklin.
The Founding Fathers drafted and signed the United States Constitution, which established the framework of government for the new nation. They also played a key role in securing American independence from Great Britain. Many of them served as delegates to the Continental Congress and had extensive political experience at the national and state levels. They contributed to the creation of a form of government that was unlike any other in the world at that time.
No, the Founding Fathers had extremely diverse views on a variety of issues, including the role of the federal government, slavery, and the radical or moderate nature of the American Revolution. These differences of opinion sometimes destroyed friendships and threatened to divide the country. Despite their disagreements, they left an unparalleled legacy in world history.
