Simone Lawson
The Founding Fathers of the United States Constitution were a group of men who played pivotal roles in America's independence from Great Britain and the establishment of the United States government. The list of Founding Fathers includes those who wrote and signed the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution of the United States. The most notable Founding Fathers include George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and James Monroe. The Founding Fathers drew inspiration from the indigenous governing systems like the Great Law of Peace practiced by the Cherokee and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, also known as the Iroquois Confederacy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Founding Fathers | George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, John Jay, James Monroe, Thomas Paine, Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Patrick Henry, Richard Henry Lee, Jonathan Dayton |
| First five U.S. presidents | Washington, John Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe |
| Signers of the Declaration of Independence | Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Samuel Adams, John Hancock |
| Signers of the Constitution | Jonathan Dayton, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, John Hancock, Patrick Henry, Richard Henry Lee, and 31 others |
| Founding Fathers on American currency | Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington |
| Founding Fathers who were anti-clerical | Thomas Jefferson |
| Founding Fathers who were orphans | Alexander Hamilton |
| Founding Father who was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence | Thomas Jefferson |
| Founding Father known as the father of the Constitution | James Madison |
| Founding Father who was the architect of the economic foundation | Alexander Hamilton |
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What You'll Learn
- The Founding Fathers were leaders in their communities
- Many Founding Fathers had strong beliefs in religious freedom
- The Founding Fathers were not unified on the issue of slavery
- The Founding Fathers were involved in the American Revolution
- The Founding Fathers were also known as the Framers of the Constitution
The Founding Fathers were leaders in their communities
The Founding Fathers were national leaders who played pivotal roles in America's independence from Great Britain and the establishment of the United States government. The term "Founding Fathers" collectively refers to several historical figures, including those who signed the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the U.S. Constitution. These documents are considered the "'Charters of Freedom' and have secured the rights of Americans for centuries.
The Founding Fathers were influential leaders in their communities, and some of them held important roles in the early government of the United States. They were appointed by the original states (except Rhode Island) to the Constitutional Convention, where they drafted and signed the Constitution. George Washington, for example, was the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army and later became the president of the Constitutional Convention. He, along with John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison, served as the first four presidents of the United States.
Another Founding Father, Alexander Hamilton, rose from obscurity to become a key figure in the founding of the American republic. He co-authored "The Federalist Papers", which advocated for the ratification of the Constitution. Hamilton's ambition, intellect, and unrelenting resolve guided his vision for a nation unified by order and economic strength.
Thomas Jefferson, another Founding Father, fused Enlightenment ideals with a steadfast resolve to shape the young nation. He was a sage of liberty and an architect of the nation, and his writings, including the Declaration of Independence, expressed the ideals on which the United States was founded. James Madison, often included in the list of Founding Fathers, was a brilliant thinker who forged the American republic through his ideas and the written word. He built the framework of the government and left behind a Constitution that has endured.
The Founding Fathers were not just leaders but also visionaries who shaped the course of history. They were statesmen, thinkers, and writers who laid the foundation for the United States of America, and their contributions continue to be celebrated and remembered.
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Many Founding Fathers had strong beliefs in religious freedom
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 had strong beliefs in religious freedom. They enshrined it in the First Amendment to the Constitution. The First Amendment restriction against limiting the free exercise of religion was applied to the states through the 14th Amendment of 1868, which provided all Americans with "equal protection under the laws".
George Washington, the single person most identified as the "Father" of the United States, was a local leader of the Church of England and a strong proponent of religious freedom. He assured Baptists worried about their religious liberties that he would never have signed the Constitution if it did not protect their religious liberties. Jews also saw Washington as a champion of freedom and sought his assurances that they would enjoy complete religious freedom. Washington responded by declaring that America's revolution in religion stood as an example for the rest of the world.
Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States, also championed religious freedom. He wrote Virginia's Statute for Religious Freedom and described the "wall of separation" between Church and State. Before the Revolution, Virginia had an official church, the Church of England, and dissenters from that Church were discriminated against and seriously persecuted. This deeply disturbed Jefferson. He saw religious freedom as essential for a functioning republic, believing that without it and a strict separation of church and state, "kings, nobles, and priests" threatened to create a dangerous aristocracy.
James Madison, the fourth president, also took the lead in steering a bill through the First Federal Congress in 1789 to add a bill of rights to the Constitution. He came to be recognized as the founding era's foremost proponent of religious liberty, free speech, and freedom of the press.
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The Founding Fathers were not unified on the issue of slavery
The Founding Fathers of the United States were a group of 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.
During the war and immediately following it, Northern states began passing laws to gradually abolish slavery in their states. Pennsylvania was the first state to begin the process in 1780, followed by Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. New York and New Jersey followed in 1799 and 1804, respectively. While these Northern states did not rely on slave labour for their agriculture, their economy was still tied to exports from the Southern states, which did rely on slave labour.
Some of the Founding Fathers were conflicted about their ownership of slaves and had abolitionist sympathies, but ultimately continued to own slaves for financial reasons. For example, George Washington's views on slavery shifted over the 56 years he owned slaves. Washington's initial objections to slavery were economic rather than moral. He eventually came around to the moral arguments against slavery and by 1799, he stated that he was "principled against this kind of traffic in the human species." Washington was also the only Founding Father who freed the slaves he owned in his will.
Thomas Jefferson, who wrote the words "all men are created equal" in the Declaration of Independence, owned hundreds of slaves throughout his life and may have fathered children with one of them, Sally Hemings. Despite this, he wrote that he believed slavery to be a political and moral evil and that he wished to see it abolished. However, Jefferson never personally freed his slaves and when he died in 1826, his slaves were sold off to pay off his debts.
Gouverneur Morris, another Founding Father, was one of the most vocal opponents of slavery, calling it a "nefarious institution" and "the curse of heaven on the States where it prevailed." Unlike their Northern counterparts, Southern Founders generally avoided organised antislavery activities to maintain their legitimacy among slaveholding constituents.
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The Founding Fathers were involved in the American Revolution
The Founding Fathers of the United States were a group of predominantly wealthy, 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 Declaration of Independence expressed the ideals on which the United States was founded and outlined the reasons for separation from Great Britain. The Founding Fathers were not unified on the issue of slavery, and they continued to accommodate it within the new nation.
The first five US presidents are regarded as Founding Fathers for their active participation in the American Revolution: George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe. Each of them served as a delegate to the Continental Congress.
George Washington, the nation's first president, is the single person most identified as the "Father" of the United States. Before fighting against the British, Washington fought for the British, serving as a commander in the French and Indian War. During the American Revolution, he was placed in charge of the Continental Army and led American troops to a stunning military victory over what was then the world's preeminent superpower. Washington's most defining act as president was his voluntary departure from office after two terms. He was a strong proponent of religious freedom and believed in the long-term welfare of the nation.
Thomas Jefferson, who died on the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, was a prominent Founding Father who was anti-clerical. He and John Adams exchanged letters reflecting on their nation and died on the same day. John Adams began his political career as a town council member in Braintree outside Boston and came to wider attention following a series of essays he wrote during the Stamp Act crisis of 1765.
Alexander 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. James Madison, meanwhile, was a steady mind behind revolutionary change. He forged the American republic through thought, building the framework of its government, defending it in war, and guiding it through crisis.
Other Founding Fathers include Benjamin Franklin, Patrick Henry, Thomas Paine, and Samuel Adams.
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The Founding Fathers were also known as the Framers of the Constitution
The Founding Fathers were a group of individuals who played pivotal roles in America's independence from Great Britain and the establishment of the United States government. The term "Founding Fathers" is collectively used for several historical figures, including those who were members of the Constitutional Convention, signers of the Declaration of Independence, and/or drafters of the Constitution. Signers of three key documents are generally considered to be Founding Fathers: the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the U.S. Constitution.
The Founding Fathers who were framers of the Constitution included George Washington, who was commander-in-chief of the Continental Army and president of the Constitutional Convention. Alexander Hamilton, who rose from obscurity to become a key figure in the founding of the American republic, also played a significant role. James Madison, who wrote The Federalist Papers with Hamilton, is known for building the framework of the government and guiding the country through crises. Thomas Jefferson, a cornerstone of the republic's foundation, fused Enlightenment ideals with resolve to shape the young nation.
Other Founding Fathers who were present at the Constitutional Convention but did not sign the Constitution include John Adams, Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, and John Hancock. The Founding Fathers who framed the Constitution played a crucial role in shaping the United States government and establishing the country's independence. They are remembered for their contributions to the creation of a powerful central government and a constitution that has endured and been emulated worldwide.
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Frequently asked questions
The Founding Fathers of the United States are considered to be the signers of three key documents: the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the U.S. Constitution. Some scholars also include all delegates to the Constitutional Convention, whether they approved the Constitution or not.
39 of the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the Constitution. These included George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin, and John Jay.
George Washington was commander-in-chief of the Continental Army and later president of the Constitutional Convention. He also led 13,000 militiamen to Pennsylvania to quell the Whiskey Rebellion, marking the first real test of federal authority under the Constitution.
Thomas Jefferson became Washington's Secretary of State and founded the Democratic-Republican Party. He also urged Madison to add a Bill of Rights, which passed in 1791.
Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay wrote the Federalist Papers, which advocated for the ratification of the Constitution. Hamilton later became the first secretary of the treasury.
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were the nation's first two vice presidents.
Benjamin Franklin was America's most senior diplomat from the start of the Revolutionary War through to the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783.
The three key documents that formed the foundation of the United States are the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the U.S. Constitution. These documents are collectively known as the Charters of Freedom and have secured the rights of the American people for over two centuries.
The Founding Fathers are significant as they were instrumental in the founding and philosophy of the United States. While they were once regarded as demigods who created the modern nation-state, historians now emphasize that their accomplishments and shortcomings should be viewed within the context of their time.
