Meet the Founding Fathers

Wait! P. 4: Jordan, I need your test back P. 6: Alex H and Carter, I need your tests back… Nick and Lily, I need to give you your tests for corrections ALL: Turn in A of C packets if you still want credit for them! And you DO STILL WANT CREDIT! ALL: Turn in British Point of View Papers…include 3 facts about the lead-up to the American Revolution ALL: Ask me about the color of George Washington’s shoes and why we’re skipping

George Washington “Every post is honorable in which a man can serve his country. “ Age in 1776: 44 Role before the war: – Fought in the French and Indian War – Member of the government of Virginia Role during the war: – Commander in Chief of the Continental Army Role after the war: – 1 st President of the United States Main Beliefs: – The US should be neutral until it is stronger and should avoid long alliances – Political parties and divisions should be avoided Main Legacy: – Set an example for future presidents to think of the best interest of the country rather than their political party – Stepped down after two terms, proving a president isn’t the same as a king Fun Facts: – Only president to be elected unanimously – Only founding father to free his slaves – Grew marijuana on his farm to use in the soil and for hemp – Is now on the $1 bill and quarter

Benjamin Franklin “A Spoonful of Honey will catch more Flies than a Gallon of Vinegar.” Age in 1776: 70 Role before the war: – Published a newspaper and Poor Richard’s Almanack – Member of the Pennsylvania government Role during the war: – Member of the Second Continental Congress – Helped with the Declaration of Independence – Ambassador to France – Negotiate peace with Great Britain Role after the war: – Member of the Constitutional Convention Main Beliefs: – Helped promote the Constitution and unity among the states – The Constitution should be unanimously approved by the states to show unity even if states didn’t approve of everything it said Main Legacy: – Helped the US with its relationships in Europe – Scientist that invented the lightning rod and bifocals Fun Facts: – Is now on the $100 bill – Wanted the turkey to be the national bird

John Adams "I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy." Age in 1776: 41 Role before the war: – Served on the Massachusetts Assembly – Delegate to the First and Second Continental Congresses Role during the war: – Diplomat to France (replaced Silas Deane) Role after the war: – First Vice President – Second President of the US Main Beliefs: – Federal government should have more power than states Main Legacy: – Passed the Alien and Sedition Acts (more later) Fun Facts: – Defended the British soldiers at the Boston Massacre Trial to ensure that they got a fair trial – His VP, Jefferson, was of a different political party. – Adams and Jefferson died on the same day: July 4th

Samuel Adams Quote: "The truth is, all might be free if they valued freedom, and defended it as they ought." Age in 1776: 54 Role before the war: – Tax collector – Served on the Massachusetts Assembly – Delegate to the First Continental Congress – Son of Liberty Role during the war: – Delegate to the Second Continental Congress Role after the war: – Massachusetts State Constitutional Convention member – Lieutenant Governor and the Governor of Massachusetts Main Beliefs: – Advocate for a republic Main Legacy: – Led the fight against the British taxes in the early stages – Remembered as a leading Son of Liberty Fun Facts: – John Adams’ cousin – His father was a brewer – Organized first Committee of Correspondence – Helped write Articles of Confederation

Thomas Jefferson “All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent. “ Age in 1776: 33 Role before the war: – Member of the government of Virginia Role during the war: – Governor of Virginia Role after the war: – Member of the Continental Congress and Minister to France – Secretary of State, then Vice President, and then 3 rd President of the United States Main Beliefs: – Farming society is best – The national government should remain weak Legacy: – Main writer of the Declaration of Independence Fun Facts: – Had a pet bird he let eat from his mouth – Could speak French, Latin, Greek, Spanish, and German – Is now on the nickel

Alexander Hamilton “Even to observe neutrality you must have a strong government. “ Age in 1776: 21 Role before the war: – College student Role during the war: – Fought with the colonists in New York – Became an officer in the American army Role after the war: – Lawyer – Member of the Continental Congress – First Secretary of the Treasury – Money man Main Beliefs: – Strong national government – Base of economy should be commerce, not farming – Disagreed with Thomas Jefferson on both of these Legacy: – Supported and convinced others of the need for a strong national government – Wrote “The Federalist Papers” with John Jay and James Madison in support of the new Constitution Fun Facts: – Wrote anti-British pamphlets before he was 20 – Was killed in a duel with the Vice President, Aaron Burr, in 1804 – Is now on the $10 bill

John Jay ” No power on earth has a right to take our property from us without our consent. “ Age in 1776: 31 Role before the war: – Member of the First and Second Continental Congresses Role during the war: – Ambassador to Spain – Negotiate peace with Great Britain Role after the war: – Secretary of Foreign Affairs – First Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court Main Beliefs: – Strong national government Main Legacy: – Negotiated Jay’s Treaty with Great Britain in 1794 – Helped write “The Federalist Papers” with Hamilton and Madison Fun Facts: – There were only two people in Jay’s graduating class – When he was 28, Jay married a 17-year old named Sarah

James Madison “All men having power ought to be distrusted to a certain degree. “ Age in 1776: 25 Role before the war: – Worked in Virginia’s state government Role during the war: – Member of the Continental Congress Role after the war: – Helped to write the Constitution – Became 4 th president Main Beliefs: – Strong national government – Religious freedom – Rights of individuals should be protected Legacy: – Wrote “The Federalist Papers” with John Jay and Alexander Hamilton in support of the new Constitution – Worked to get the Bill of Rights passed Fun Facts: – Declared war with Britain in 1812 – Was very sickly and believed he would not live very long – Was a quiet but influential man; is on the $5,000 bill

Time to Vote! Which Founding Father… – Would you vote for today for President?_________________________ – Would you want to play Guitar Hero with?_____________________________ – Is the hottest? _____________________ – Is the ugliest? ______________________ – Seems the smartest?_________________ – Had the coolest quote? _______________