Omar Bennett
The Founding Fathers of the United States were the architects of a new nation, delivering the blueprint for a just-born country. They were the upper echelon of political leadership in the British colonies during the latter half of the 18th century and played key roles in securing American independence and creating the government of the United States of America. While there were dozens of individuals who played smaller but valuable roles, seven are considered by most as the Founding Fathers: John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and George Washington. Of these, James Madison is known as the Father of the Constitution for his crucial role in its formulation, particularly in drafting the ten amendments that became the Bill of Rights.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Most identified as "Father" of the United States | George Washington |
| First president of the United States | George Washington |
| Commander-in-chief of the Continental Army | George Washington |
| First four presidents | Washington, Adams, Jefferson, and Madison |
| First two vice presidents | Adams and Jefferson |
| First chief justice | John Jay |
| First secretary of the treasury | Alexander Hamilton |
| First secretary of state | Thomas Jefferson |
| Senior diplomat from the start of the Revolutionary War | Benjamin Franklin |
| Principal author of the Declaration of Independence | Thomas Jefferson |
| Father of the Constitution | James Madison |
| Author of the Bill of Rights | James Madison |
| Most prolific contributor to the Federalist Papers | Alexander Hamilton |
| Last surviving signer of the Constitution | James Madison |
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What You'll Learn
Thomas Jefferson's influence on the Constitution
Thomas Jefferson, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, had a significant influence on the Constitution, despite not being physically present at the Constitutional Convention in 1787. Jefferson's ideas and correspondence with those present at the Convention, particularly James Madison, contributed to the formation of the Constitution.
Jefferson's only book, "Notes on the State of Virginia," published anonymously in Europe in 1785, discussed constitutional issues and set forth his political philosophy. While serving as the American ambassador to France, Jefferson closely followed the developments leading up to the Constitutional Convention. He corresponded with individuals who would play a crucial role in the formation of the Constitution, such as Madison and John Jay, an author of the Federalist Papers.
In his letters, Jefferson shared his thoughts on the failures of the Articles of Confederation and the need for a stronger central government. He advocated for the protection of civil liberties, including freedom of the press, religion, speech, assembly, and petition. Jefferson believed that the Constitution should include a written Bill of Rights to guarantee these personal liberties. He also proposed banning slavery in all western territories, which, although failing to pass by one vote, partially influenced Congress to ban slavery in the Northwest Ordinance north of the Ohio River.
Jefferson's correspondence with Madison influenced Madison's thinking on the Bill of Rights. Madison, often referred to as the "Father of the Constitution," played a crucial role in its formulation and drafting of the amendments that became the Bill of Rights. After the Constitutional Convention, Jefferson wrote to Madison, expressing his concerns about certain provisions and the lack of a Bill of Rights. Madison, convinced by Jefferson's arguments, introduced a bill of rights into the First Congress, which became the first ten amendments to the Constitution, ratified in 1791.
During his presidency, Jefferson sought to uphold his principles of limited government by cutting the federal budget and taxes while reducing the national debt. Critics, however, charged that Jefferson exceeded the powers granted to him in the Constitution. Jefferson's contributions to articulating American ideals and leading the nation during its early years remain a lasting part of his complex legacy.
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James Madison: the Father of the Constitution
James Madison, born in 1751, was an American statesman, diplomat, and Founding Father. He is popularly known as the "Father of the Constitution" for his pivotal role in drafting and promoting the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights.
Madison played a crucial part in the formulation of the Constitution, particularly in drafting the ten amendments that became the Bill of Rights. He helped organise the Constitutional Convention, which produced a new constitution designed to strengthen the republican government against democratic assembly. He also took detailed notes of the debates at the convention, providing a comprehensive history of the proceedings.
Madison's influence was also felt in his home state of Virginia, where he played a key role in the state's constitutional convention. He convinced delegates to alter the Virginia Declaration of Rights to provide for "equal entitlement" in the exercise of religion. Madison's own experiences and beliefs shaped his contributions to the Constitution. He was born into a prominent slave-owning family and joined the Patriots in 1774 due to his strong opposition to British taxation. He rose to prominence in Virginia politics as a wartime leader and served as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates during and after the American Revolutionary War.
Madison's influence extended beyond the drafting of the Constitution. He was elected to the new House of Representatives and sponsored the first ten amendments to the Constitution, emphasising freedom of religion, speech, and press. He also served as President Jefferson's Secretary of State from 1801 to 1809 and was elected as the fourth President of the United States in 1808, serving two terms from 1809 to 1817. During his presidency, he dealt with complex issues such as trade relations with Britain and France and the impressment of American seamen.
Madison's contributions to the Constitution and his impact on the early development of the nation are undeniable. He was hailed as the "Father of the Constitution" even during his lifetime, and his legacy continues to shape the political landscape of the United States.
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Alexander Hamilton's rise to power
Alexander Hamilton, born out of wedlock in the West Indies and orphaned at a young age, made a remarkable rise through American politics. Hamilton arrived in mainland America in 1772 and soon became a supporter of colonial protests against British imperial policy. He wrote several pamphlets in 1774 and 1775 attacking the views of outspoken loyalist Samuel Seabury. In 1775, he began drilling with a volunteer company of militia and was made captain of an artillery company in March 1776. During the American Revolutionary War, he fought at the battles of Kip's Bay, White Plains, Trenton, and Princeton, impressing senior Continental Army officers with his leadership.
Hamilton's rise continued when he was invited to serve as George Washington's aide with the rank of lieutenant colonel. He served four years as Washington's chief staff aide, handling letters to the Continental Congress, state governors, and the most powerful generals of the Continental Army. He also drafted many of Washington's orders and letters and eventually issued orders on Washington's behalf.
After the Revolutionary War, Hamilton served as a delegate from New York to the Congress of the Confederation in Philadelphia. He resigned to practice law and founded the Bank of New York. In 1786, he led the Annapolis Convention, which sought to strengthen the power of the loose confederation of independent states. The following year, he was a delegate to the Philadelphia Convention, which drafted the U.S. Constitution, creating a more centralized federal national government.
Hamilton then authored 51 of the 85 installments of The Federalist Papers, which proved persuasive in securing the Constitution's ratification by the states. In 1789, after George Washington was elected the nation's first president, he appointed Hamilton as the first secretary of the treasury. In this role, Hamilton sought to create a stable financial foundation for the nation and increase the power of the central government. He pushed for the national government to assume state debts and made the First Bank of the United States a centerpiece of his financial plan. Modeled on the Bank of England, the bank held government funds, issued loans to the government, provided currency, and increased liquid capital to facilitate economic growth.
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The role of Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin, born in 1706, was the oldest of the Founding Fathers. He dedicated over sixty years of his life to public service, and played an influential role in the Revolutionary War and the fight for American independence.
Franklin's career began as an apprentice to his older brother, James, who published the first independent newspaper in the colonies, the New England Courant. At the age of 17, Franklin moved to Philadelphia, where he purchased the Pennsylvania Gazette in 1730. The paper flourished under his witty and wise writing. Franklin's most popular publication, Poor Richard's Almanack, earned him a significant amount of money, allowing him to pursue leisure activities. He began experimenting with electricity, establishing himself as a gifted scientist.
Franklin's civic interests and involvement in public welfare, firefighting, and education in Philadelphia led him to political activities. By 1751, he was in the Pennsylvania legislature, where he served for twelve years. During the Revolutionary War, he served as the American Minister to France, gaining French support for the new American nation. He was also America's most senior diplomat from the start of the war through to its conclusion with the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783.
Franklin's last public service was in the Constitutional Convention of 1787, where he was the oldest delegate at 81 years old. His conciliatory voice was instrumental in hammering out the landmark "Great Compromise", which solidified elements of both the Virginia and New Jersey Plans. At the end of the Convention, Franklin delivered a persuasive speech, urging delegates to accept the document as the best that a collective body could craft. He also proposed a form for the signing, which was intended to get Gerry, Mason, and Randolph to sign by making their personal objections irrelevant to their signatures.
In summary, Benjamin Franklin played a significant role in the fight for American independence and the shaping of the U.S. Constitution. He brought seasoned intellect, insight, and patriotism to the creation of the nation's founding documents.
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The Founding Fathers' legacy
The Founding Fathers of the United States of America are those who wrote and signed the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution, as well as certain military personnel who fought in the American Revolutionary War, and others who greatly assisted in the nation's formation. The Founding Fathers are the most important people to study to understand American ideals of freedom and liberty, and the American form of government.
The Founding Fathers constructed a constitutional framework that has had lasting success and influence. Their fundamental principle of checks and balances has produced a federal political system that has proven sturdy over many tests. RB Bernstein explains that "for decades, people around the world have replaced corrupt, oppressive governments with constitutional democracies. The model of 'political building' they follow is American, even if they devise their own constitutional architecture."
The Founding Fathers were not without their faults, however. Nearly half of them were slaveholders, and all of them profited from the system of slavery in the United States. The nation they created ensured the rights of white, property-owning men, but it would take almost 200 years to ensure that all Americans were provided those same protections.
The Founding Fathers were also not of one mind, despite often being viewed as largely in agreement. They had extremely different views on a range of issues, including the role of the federal government, slavery, and how radical or moderate the American Revolution should be.
Despite their differences, the Founding Fathers left an unparalleled legacy in world history. The constitutional framework they created has served as a model for constitutional democracies around the world. Their contributions to the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution laid the foundation for a new nation and continue to shape the United States today.
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Frequently asked questions
George Washington is the single person most identified as the "Father" of the United States. He was the commanding general in the American Revolution and the nation's first president.
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 individuals who played smaller but valuable roles in the founding of the United States, such as Abigail Adams and Mercy Otis Warren.
James Madison is known as the "Father of the Constitution" for playing a crucial part in its formulation, particularly in the drafting of the ten amendments that became the Bill of Rights.
