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]].  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 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]].
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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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The last surviving member of the signers of the Declaration was [[Charles Carroll of Carrollton]], and the last surviving Founding Father was [[James Madison]].<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=HGkXMM-CXxMC&pg=PA87 Virginia's Historic Homes and Gardens]</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=MlNWU1e9ppUC&pg=PA181 The American Presidents, Washington to Tyler]</ref>
  
 
==Republicanism==
 
==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.  
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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.  
  
[[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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[[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.
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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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*[[Stephen Hopkins]]
 
*[[Stephen Hopkins]]
 
*[[Francis Hopkinson]]
 
*[[Francis Hopkinson]]
*[[Samuel Huntington (signer) |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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*[[Edward Rutledge]]
 
*[[Edward Rutledge]]
 
*[[Roger Sherman]]
 
*[[Roger Sherman]]
*[[James Smith (signer)| James Smith]]
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*[[James Smith (signer)|James Smith]]
 
*[[Richard Stockton]]
 
*[[Richard Stockton]]
 
*[[Thomas Stone]]
 
*[[Thomas Stone]]
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*[[David Brearly]]  
 
*[[David Brearly]]  
 
*[[Jacob Broom]]  
 
*[[Jacob Broom]]  
*[[Pierce Butler]]  
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*[[Pierce Butler (Founding Father)|Pierce Butler]]  
 
*[[Daniel Carroll]]
 
*[[Daniel Carroll]]
 
*[[George Clymer]]  
 
*[[George Clymer]]  
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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]
 
* 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]
 
* 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]
 
* 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 ==
 
 
* [http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/charters.html The Constitution from the National Archives]
 
* [http://www.foundingfathers.info/documents/constitution.html The Constitution of the United States of America]
 
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
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* [[Founding Fathers quotes that mention God]]
 
* [[Gallery of American Heroes]]
 
* [[Gallery of American Heroes]]
 
* [[David Ramsay]]
 
* [[David Ramsay]]
 
* [[Hero]]: [[Gallery of American Heroes]]
 
* [[Hero]]: [[Gallery of American Heroes]]
 
* [[Memorial Day]], [[Veterans Day]], [[Remembrance Day]]
 
* [[Memorial Day]], [[Veterans Day]], [[Remembrance Day]]
* [[Oath Keepers]] - Support and defend the [[unalienable rights]] of [[America]]
 
 
* [[Vow]]
 
* [[Vow]]
* [[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]].
 
  
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== References ==
 +
{{reflist|1}}
  
 
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== External links ==
== External Links ==
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* [http://www.archives.gov/ The National Archives]
 
* [http://www.archives.gov/ The National Archives]
 
* [http://www.archives.gov/historical-docs/ The National Archives - Historical Documents]
 
* [http://www.archives.gov/historical-docs/ The National Archives - Historical Documents]
 
* [http://patriotpost.us/histdocs/ The Patriot Post - Historical Documents]
 
* [http://patriotpost.us/histdocs/ The Patriot Post - Historical Documents]
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* [http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/charters.html The Constitution from the National Archives]
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* [http://www.foundingfathers.info/documents/constitution.html The Constitution of the United States of America]
  
=== Founding Fathers Quotes ===
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== Founding Fathers Quotes ==
 
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* [http://www.marksquotes.com/Founding-Fathers/ Mark's Quotes: Founding Fathers Quotes]
 
* [http://www.marksquotes.com/Founding-Fathers/ Mark's Quotes: Founding Fathers Quotes]
 
* [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}}
 
{{Conservatism}}
  
 
[[Category:Founding Fathers]]
 
[[Category:Founding Fathers]]
[[Category:American Revolution]]
 
 
[[Category:Republicanism]]
 
[[Category:Republicanism]]
 
[[Category:Conservatives]]
 
[[Category:Conservatives]]
[[Category:Early National U.S.]]
 
[[Category:Veterans]]
 
[[Category:Oath Keepers]]
 
[[Category:Conservatives]]
 
[[Category:United States History]]
 
 
[[Category:Pro Second Amendment]]
 
[[Category:Pro Second Amendment]]
 
[[Category:People Associated with Firearms]]
 
[[Category:People Associated with Firearms]]
 
[[Category:American Gun Rights Advocates]]
 
[[Category:American Gun Rights Advocates]]
[[Category:Survivalism]]
 
 
[[Category:United States History Figures]]
 
[[Category:United States History Figures]]
 
[[Category:Patriots]]
 
[[Category:Patriots]]

Revision as of 17:54, December 26, 2016

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.

The last surviving member of the signers of the Declaration was Charles Carroll of Carrollton, and the last surviving Founding Father was James Madison.[1][2]

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

See also

References

External links

Founding Fathers Quotes