The Founding Fathers “Founding Fathers” were the men who wrote and signed the Declaration of Independence and later the Constitution.“Founding Fathers” were the men who wrote and signed the Declaration of Independence and later the Constitution. There were MANY, but a few are/were VERY important for American and world history.There were MANY, but a few are/were VERY important for American and world history.

George Washington Major contributions: –Led the Continental Army successfully against the British –Didn’t become a dictator –Helped the states unify –Kept the U.S. out of war during his presidency Political Faction: Federalists

Washington Born in Virginia, he married into a wealthy family. He was a slave- owner and plantation farmer with little education , he participated in the French and Indian War.

Washington was one of the wealthiest men in the colonies and had made a name for himself in the French war. In 1774, he was appointed to the First Continental Congress. In 1775, Congress named him the commander of the army.

As general from , Washington successfully fought against the British and secured American independence.

The Indispensable Man When a new constitution was created in 1789, Washington was the logical choice for president. He had the support of Virginia and the admiration of all of the colonies.

As president from , Washington worked with Hamilton and Adams to create a strong federal government. He kept the U.S. out of war with France and England.

At the time of his death in 1799, Washington did not know if the U.S. would survive. In his will, he freed his slaves, the only founder to do so.

“If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.” -- George Washington

Alexander Hamilton Major contributions: –The Federalist Papers –Passage of the Constitution –Strong central government –Creation of coast guard, army, etc. –Creation of federal bank Political Faction: Federalists

Hamilton was born in the Caribbean and came to the colonies when he was 17 (1772). He lived in NY and instantly took up the fight for independence. He was also against slavery.

He served on Washington’s staff and became a sort of adopted son. He was instrumental in the creation of the Constitution, and Washington named him Secretary of the Treasury.

In the Treasury, he created a federal bank, had the fed. gov’t. assume the debt of all the states, created a coast guard, and managed the country’s finances.

After Washington left office, Hamilton continued to harass Adams and Jefferson during their presidencies. He was killed in a duel by Jefferson’s V.P. Aaron Burr.

“Those who stand for nothing fall for anything.” -- Alexander Hamilton

Thomas Jefferson Major contributions: –Declaration of Independence –Republican ideals –The Louisiana Purchase –Lewis & Clark Political Faction: Anti- Federalists / Democratic Republicans

Born and lived in Virginia. Owned many slaves and even had children with one of his slaves. He was a scholar, philosopher, writer and inventor. With Adams and Franklin, he wrote the Dec. of Independence in 1776.

He was Washington’s Secretary of State and Adams’s Vice President. But Jefferson strongly disagreed with the Federalists. He wanted power vested with the states. He wrote Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions creating the idea of nullification.

Nullification said that states could disobey federal laws. He was president from In 1803, he bought the Louisiana territory from France. He sent out Lewis and Clark to explore the new territory.

He said slavery was bad, but never freed any of his slaves. He died on July 4, 1826, 50 years after the Declaration of Independence and on the same day that John Adams died.

"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." -- Thomas Jefferson

Benjamin Franklin Major contributions: –Scientific discovery –Pressed for unity between the colonies –Started libraries, hospitals, fire companies, abolitionist, etc. –Helped American prestige

Born in Massachusetts, Ben moved to Philadelphia where he became a printer. He also founded libraries and wrote for newspapers. He made many inventions and scientific discoveries, including electricity.

He was an advocate for colonial independence and helped urge the Continental Congress to declare independence. He served in England and France as an ambassador. He died in 1790, one of the most famous men in the world.

“Be civil to all; sociable to many; familiar with few; friend to one; enemy to none.” “Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” -- Benjamin Franklin

James Madison Major contributions: –Wrote the Constitution –Co-wrote Federalist Papers –Wrote Bill of Rights Political Faction: Democratic Republicans

Also a Virginian and slave-owner, he was dismayed by the weakness of the Articles of Confederation and proposed a new constitution. The Constitution was largely written by him.

He helped Hamilton write the Federalist Papers in defense of the Constitution. He also drafted the Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the Constitution. He was not happy with a strong federal government. He became Sec. of State under Jefferson.

In 1809, he was elected president and served two terms. He fought the War of 1812 ( ) against the British to a stalemate. He was the last of the Founders to die in 1836.

“In Republics, the great danger is, that the majority may not sufficiently respect the rights of the minority.” -- James Madison

The Founders Overall: –Male –White –Old –Rich –Lawyers –If from the South, slave-owners –Most were Protestant, although many were Deist

The Founders They were flawed and had many problems and contradictions (slavery). But, together, they created the basis for a stable, democratic country that would eventually become the most powerful in the world.