Difference between revisions of "Founding Fathers"

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The Founding Fathers are the leaders who founded the United States, especially the 40 dignitaries who signed the U.S. Constitution at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, and the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence. Historians consider the most important founders to include [[John Adams]], [[Samuel Adams]], [[Benjamin Franklin]], [[Alexander Hamilton]], [[Thomas Jefferson]], [[James Madison]], and [[George Washington]].
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[[File:Gilbert Stuart Portrait of George Washington.jpg|thumb|Portrait of George Washington by [[Gilbert Stuart]].]]
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'''The Founding Fathers''' are the leaders who founded the [[United States]], especially the 40 dignitaries who signed the U.S. Constitution at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, and the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence. Historians consider the most important founders to include [[John Adams]], [[Samuel Adams]], [[Benjamin Franklin]], [[Alexander Hamilton]], [[Thomas Jefferson]], [[James Madison]], and [[George Washington]].  Washington is known for his leadership and honesty; Hamilton for his brilliance; John Adams for his morality; Franklin for his inventiveness; Madison for his scholarship; and Jefferson for his egalitarianism.
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The 55 initial participants -- all of whom would be considered "Founders" in the broad sense of the term -- wrote 15,000 articles, books and other materials.  A study found that the [[Bible]] comprised 34% of their direct quotations.  They particularly liked quoting the [[Book of Deuteronomy]].
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==Republicanism==
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The Founding Fathers sought "Honor" -- freedom from corruption, and a positive devotion to civic virtue.  These were key elements of [[Republicanism]], and the Founding Fathers made republicanism the core values of the American system of government.
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[[Corruption]] was the great evil the Founding Fathers confronted. When Britain showed too much corruption, it was time to break free with the [[American Revolution]].  To overcome the temptations of corruption--such as luxury and bribery--in their own lives, the Founding Fathers cultivated the virtue of disinterestedness. That is, the made a conscious effort to not be the creature of his financial interests, and not give any sign to the public that they sought luxury or bribes. The goal was to be impartial, concerned only for the public good, not the advancement of friends or, still less, of party.
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Even personal shame and humiliation was preferable to a tarnished honor or the hint of corruption. When Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton was accused of corruption for making secret payments to a man named James Reynolds, Hamilton revealed he had been set up and was paying blackmail to Reynolds following an affair with Mrs. Reynolds. Duels over honor were common in the era--Hamilton was killed in one, as was Hamilton's son.
  
 
== Signatories of the [[Declaration of Independence]] ==
 
== Signatories of the [[Declaration of Independence]] ==
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*[[John Hart]]
 
*[[John Hart]]
 
*[[Joseph Hewes]]
 
*[[Joseph Hewes]]
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*[[Thomas Heyward, Jr.]]
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*[[Thomas Heyward]]
 
| valign="top" |
 
| valign="top" |
 
*[[William Hooper]]
 
*[[William Hooper]]
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*[[Stephen Hopkins (politician)|Stephen Hopkins]]
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*[[Stephen Hopkins]]
 
*[[Francis Hopkinson]]
 
*[[Francis Hopkinson]]
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*[[Samuel Huntington (statesman)|Samuel Huntington]]
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*[[Samuel Huntington (signer) |Samuel Huntington]]
 
*[[Thomas Jefferson]]
 
*[[Thomas Jefferson]]
 
*[[Francis Lightfoot Lee]]
 
*[[Francis Lightfoot Lee]]
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*[[Arthur Middleton]]  
 
*[[Arthur Middleton]]  
 
*[[Lewis Morris]]  
 
*[[Lewis Morris]]  
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*[[Robert Morris (merchant)|Robert Morris]]
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*[[Robert Morris]]
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*[[John Morton (Pennsylvania)|John Morton]]
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*[[John Morton]]
 
*[[Thomas Nelson, Jr.]]
 
*[[Thomas Nelson, Jr.]]
 
*[[William Paca]]
 
*[[William Paca]]
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*[[John Penn (delegate)|John Penn]]
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*[[John Penn]]
 
| valign="top" |
 
| valign="top" |
 
*[[Robert Treat Paine]]
 
*[[Robert Treat Paine]]
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*[[George Read (signer)|George Read]]
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*[[George Read]]
 
*[[Caesar Rodney]]
 
*[[Caesar Rodney]]
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*[[George Ross (delegate)|George Ross]]  
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*[[George Ross]]  
 
*[[Benjamin Rush]]
 
*[[Benjamin Rush]]
 
*[[Edward Rutledge]]
 
*[[Edward Rutledge]]
 
*[[Roger Sherman]]
 
*[[Roger Sherman]]
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*[[James Smith (political figure)|James Smith]]
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*[[James Smith (signer)| James Smith]]
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*[[Richard Stockton (1730-1781)|Richard Stockton]]
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*[[Richard Stockton]]
 
*[[Thomas Stone]]
 
*[[Thomas Stone]]
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*[[George Taylor (delegate)|George Taylor]]
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*[[George Taylor]]
 
*[[Matthew Thornton]]
 
*[[Matthew Thornton]]
 
*[[George Walton]]
 
*[[George Walton]]
 
*[[William Whipple]]
 
*[[William Whipple]]
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*[[William Williams (signer)|William Williams]]
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*[[William Williams]]
 
*[[James Wilson]]
 
*[[James Wilson]]
 
*[[John Witherspoon]]
 
*[[John Witherspoon]]
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*[[George Clymer]]  
 
*[[George Clymer]]  
 
*[[Jonathan Dayton]]  
 
*[[Jonathan Dayton]]  
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*[[John Dickinson (congressman)|John Dickinson]]  
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*[[John Dickinson]]  
 
*[[William Few]]  
 
*[[William Few]]  
 
*[[Thomas Fitzsimons]]  
 
*[[Thomas Fitzsimons]]  
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*[[Thomas Mifflin]]
 
*[[Thomas Mifflin]]
 
*[[Gouverneur Morris]]                     
 
*[[Gouverneur Morris]]                     
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*[[Robert Morris (merchant)|Robert Morris]]
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*[[Robert Morris]]
 
*[[William Paterson (jurist)|William Paterson]]
 
*[[William Paterson (jurist)|William Paterson]]
 
*[[Charles Cotesworth Pinckney]]
 
*[[Charles Cotesworth Pinckney]]
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*[[George Mason]]
 
*[[George Mason]]
 
*[[Thomas Paine]]
 
*[[Thomas Paine]]
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*[[Charles C. Pinckney]]
 
 
|}
 
|}
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==Further reading==
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* Ellis, Joseph J. ''Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation'' (2002), good overview of leading figures by top scholar [http://www.amazon.com/Founding-Brothers-Revolutionary-Joseph-Ellis/dp/0375705244/ref=cm_lmf_img_5_rdssss0 excerpt and text search]
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* McClanahan, Brion.  ''The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Founding Fathers'' (2009), popular book by conservative writer. [http://www.amazon.com/Politically-Incorrect-Founding-Fathers-Guides/dp/1596980923/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251266508&sr=8-1 excerpt and text search]
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* Wood, Gordon. ''Revolutionary Characters: What Made the Founders Different'' (2007), very good overview by leading conservative scholar [http://books.google.com/books?id=uOovRxek5AIC&dq=intitle:Revolutionary+intitle:Characters+inauthor:wood&lr=&as_drrb_is=q&as_minm_is=0&as_miny_is=&as_maxm_is=0&as_maxy_is=&num=30&as_brr=0 excerpt and text search]
  
 
== References ==
 
== References ==
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== See also ==
 
== See also ==
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* [[Founding Fathers quotes that mention God]]
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*[[Gallery of American Heroes]]
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* [[Gallery of American Heroes]]
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* [[David Ramsay]]
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* [[Hero]]: [[Gallery of American Heroes]]
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* [[Memorial Day]], [[Veterans Day]], [[Remembrance Day]]
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* [[Oath Keepers]] - Support and defend the [[unalienable rights]] of [[America]]
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* [[Vow]]
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* [[Police state]]s-[[Nanny state]]s violate the [[United States Constitution]]-[[Bill of Rights]] (especially [[Second Amendment]] and [[Fourth Amendment]]) and [[Citizen]]'s [[Unalienable rights]] by not upholding their oath to support and defend the [[Constitution]].
  
 
== External Links ==
 
== External Links ==
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* [http://www.dojgov.net/Liberty_Watch.htm USDOJ & Government Watch: Spirit of America Liberty Quotes]
 
* [http://www.dojgov.net/Liberty_Watch.htm USDOJ & Government Watch: Spirit of America Liberty Quotes]
 
* [http://www.eadshome.com/QuotesoftheFounders.htm Eads Home Ministries: Founding Fathers Quotes]
 
* [http://www.eadshome.com/QuotesoftheFounders.htm Eads Home Ministries: Founding Fathers Quotes]
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{{Conservatism}}
  
 
[[Category:Founding Fathers]]
 
[[Category:Founding Fathers]]
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[[Category:Conservatives]]
 
[[Category:Conservatives]]
 
[[Category:Early National U.S.]]
 
[[Category:Early National U.S.]]
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[[Category:Veterans]]
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[[Category:Oath Keepers]]
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[[Category:Conservatives]]
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[[Category:United States History]]
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[[Category:Pro Second Amendment]]
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[[Category:People Associated with Firearms]]
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[[Category:American Gun Rights Advocates]]
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[[Category:Survivalism]]
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[[Category:United States History Figures]]
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[[Category:Patriots]]

Revision as of 11:09, November 18, 2015

Portrait of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart.

The Founding Fathers are the leaders who founded the United States, especially the 40 dignitaries who signed the U.S. Constitution at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, and the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence. Historians consider the most important founders to include John Adams, Samuel Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and George Washington. Washington is known for his leadership and honesty; Hamilton for his brilliance; John Adams for his morality; Franklin for his inventiveness; Madison for his scholarship; and Jefferson for his egalitarianism.

The 55 initial participants -- all of whom would be considered "Founders" in the broad sense of the term -- wrote 15,000 articles, books and other materials. A study found that the Bible comprised 34% of their direct quotations. They particularly liked quoting the Book of Deuteronomy.

Republicanism

The Founding Fathers sought "Honor" -- freedom from corruption, and a positive devotion to civic virtue. These were key elements of Republicanism, and the Founding Fathers made republicanism the core values of the American system of government.

Corruption was the great evil the Founding Fathers confronted. When Britain showed too much corruption, it was time to break free with the American Revolution. To overcome the temptations of corruption--such as luxury and bribery--in their own lives, the Founding Fathers cultivated the virtue of disinterestedness. That is, the made a conscious effort to not be the creature of his financial interests, and not give any sign to the public that they sought luxury or bribes. The goal was to be impartial, concerned only for the public good, not the advancement of friends or, still less, of party.

Even personal shame and humiliation was preferable to a tarnished honor or the hint of corruption. When Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton was accused of corruption for making secret payments to a man named James Reynolds, Hamilton revealed he had been set up and was paying blackmail to Reynolds following an affair with Mrs. Reynolds. Duels over honor were common in the era--Hamilton was killed in one, as was Hamilton's son.

Signatories of the Declaration of Independence

Signatories of the Articles of Confederation

Signatories of the United States Constitution

Other Founding Fathers

Further reading

  • Ellis, Joseph J. Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation (2002), good overview of leading figures by top scholar excerpt and text search
  • McClanahan, Brion. The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Founding Fathers (2009), popular book by conservative writer. excerpt and text search
  • Wood, Gordon. Revolutionary Characters: What Made the Founders Different (2007), very good overview by leading conservative scholar excerpt and text search

References

See also

External Links

Founding Fathers Quotes

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