Omar Bennett
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 Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, by 38 delegates, establishing the three branches of the Federal Government of the United States and protecting the rights of each American citizen. The Founding Fathers were influenced by various philosophers and scholars, including Emmerich de Vattel, whose ideas on interpreting ancient acts and the common use of terms at the time of writing influenced the way they intended the Constitution to be interpreted and implemented.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Signers of three key documents | Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and U.S. Constitution |
| Date of signing the U.S. Constitution | September 17, 1787 |
| Number of signatures | 39 |
| Philosophical influences | Emmerich de Vattel |
| Philosophical influences' characteristics | "When an ancient act is to be interpreted, we should then know the common use of the terms, at the time when it was written" |
| Philosophical influences' outcomes | Prevent politicization of the court, promote legal consistency, and keep the court separate from the legislature |
| Philosophical influences' outcomes | No mechanism to challenge the constitutionality of a law |
| Intent | Interpret the constitution as it was written, and seek to change through legislation and possible amendments, not through the courts |
| Intent | Create a separation of powers, so no one branch of government could accumulate more power than the others |
| Intent | Differing beliefs and opinions about what the future United States should look like |
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What You'll Learn
The Founding Fathers' vision for America
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 framework for 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 Constitution, signed on September 17, 1787, established the three branches of the Federal Government of the United States and outlined the rights of each American citizen.
The Founding Fathers had differing beliefs and opinions about what the future United States should look like. They debated federal intervention in the economy, foreign policy, and the amount of authority rested with the executive branch. However, they worked together and indulged the views of their colleagues to write the framework for the system of government. The Founding Fathers were heavily influenced by the philosopher Emmerich de Vattel, who believed that the common use of the terms at the time a document was written was important for interpretation. They intended for the Constitution to be interpreted as it was written, with changes made through legislation and amendments rather than through the courts.
The Founding Fathers sought to create a separation of powers between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government, so no one branch could accumulate more power than the others. They also recognised the importance of religious liberty, free speech, and freedom of the press. The first five US presidents, including George Washington, are considered Founding Fathers for their active participation in the American Revolution.
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The influence of philosopher Emmerich de Vattel
The philosopher, diplomat, and jurist Emmerich de Vattel was one of the most influential writers on the subject of the law of nations. His most famous work, 'Droit des gens; ou, Principes de la loi naturelle appliqués à la conduite et aux affaires des nations et des souverains' (in English, 'The Law of Nations' or 'The Principles of Natural Law Applied to the Conduct and to the Affairs of Nations and of Sovereigns'), published in 1758, established Vattel as a major authority on the subject. Vattel's work profoundly influenced the development of international law and the concept of national sovereignty.
Vattel's work provided a theoretical framework for explaining international conduct and a practical mechanism for implementing it into diplomatic practice. The founding fathers discovered in Vattel's work a practical guide for statesmen, outlining the rights and obligations of citizens and states. Vattel elucidated the "Golden Rule of Sovereigns": one cannot complain when treated as one treats others. This idea of reciprocal treatment between nations was central to Vattel's thought and had ramifications for Just War Theory.
Vattel's influence can be seen in the Constitution's requirement for one to become president. It is speculated that the Framers of the Constitution used Vattel's definition of a "natural-born citizen" when outlining the eligibility criteria for the presidency. Vattel's ideas on sovereignty also appear to have influenced the founding fathers' thinking. The concept of national sovereignty, which is at the heart of Vattel's 'The Law of Nations', was likely a decisive factor in his influence on the United States. Vattel's work proposed that "nations or states are bodies politic, societies of men united together for the purpose of promoting their mutual safety and advantage by the joint efforts of their combined strength." This idea of a nation as a body politic, united for mutual benefit, may have informed the founding fathers' understanding of the role of government and the relationship between the states and the federal government.
Vattel's work was widely read by the founding fathers and was influential in shaping their thinking on international law, diplomacy, and the role of government. His ideas on sovereignty, the rights and obligations of citizens and states, and the "Golden Rule of Sovereigns" all contributed to the founding fathers' understanding of the principles that would underpin the new nation.
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The Articles of Confederation
The Constitutional Convention assembled in Philadelphia in May 1787, resulting in the creation of the United States Constitution, which was signed by 38 delegates on September 17, 1787. The Constitution established a powerful central government and a framework for the Federal Government of the United States, defining the relationship between the federal and state governments. It also provided for the separation of powers into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, ensuring that no one branch could accumulate more power than the other two.
The Founding Fathers were heavily influenced by the philosopher Emmerich de Vattel, who emphasized the importance of interpreting ancient acts in the context of the common use of terms at the time they were written. They intended for the Constitution to be interpreted as it was written, with any changes made through legislation and amendments rather than through the courts. The Federalist Papers further elaborated on the dangers of allowing the courts to become a branch of the legislature, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the separation of powers.
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The Constitutional Convention
The delegates to the Constitutional Convention, representing a wide range of interests and views, crafted compromises and created a powerful central government. They established the three branches of the federal government: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, with a separation of powers to prevent any one branch from accumulating too much power.
The Founding Fathers, who drafted and signed the Constitution, had differing beliefs and opinions about the future of the United States, but they worked together and indulged the views of their colleagues. They were influenced by philosopher Emmerich de Vattel, who emphasized the importance of interpreting ancient acts in the context of the common use of terms at the time they were written. The Founding Fathers preferred interpreting the Constitution as it was written and sought change through legislation and amendments rather than through the courts.
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The signing of the Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was crafted by the Founding Fathers of the United States, a group of late-18th-century American revolutionary leaders who played a pivotal role in shaping the nation's future. They united the Thirteen Colonies, oversaw the War of Independence, and laid the framework for the country's government. The Founding Fathers included signers of key documents such as the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the U.S. Constitution.
The process of drafting and adopting the Declaration of Independence was not without its challenges. The Founding Fathers engaged in intense debates over the content and implications of the document. They had differing beliefs and opinions about the future of the United States, but they ultimately worked together to find compromise and create a unified vision for the nation. The Declaration of Independence expressed the ideals on which the new nation was founded and outlined the reasons for separation from Great Britain.
The Founding Fathers were influenced by various sources and philosophers during this process. One notable influence was Emmerich de Vattel, a philosopher who emphasised the importance of interpreting ancient acts in the context of the common use of terms at the time they were written. This influenced the Founding Fathers' approach to interpreting and implementing the Constitution. They sought to create a separation of powers within the government, ensuring that no single branch accumulated too much power.
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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 wrote and signed the United States Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution of the United States.
The Constitution defines the framework of the Federal Government of the United States. It established the three branches of the government and protects the rights of each American citizen.
The Founding Fathers were heavily influenced by philosopher Emmerich de Vattel, who believed that "When an ancient act is to be interpreted, we should then know the common use of the terms, at the time when it was written".
The Founding Fathers had differing beliefs and opinions about what the future United States should look like. Their goal was to create a separation of powers, so no one branch of the government could accumulate more power than the others.
