[[File:Gilbert Stuart Portrait of George Washington.jpg|thumb|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 57 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]].<ref>https://juicyecumenism.com/2017/05/26/bibles-significance-american-founders/</ref>
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>
==Views==
[[Image:Writing the Declaration.jpg|right|thumb|230px|[[Benjamin Franklin]], [[John Adams]], and [[Thomas Jefferson]] drafting the [[Declaration of Independence]]. ]]
The overall philosophy of the founding fathers can be summarized as "[[Americanism]]."
===Freedom and natural law===
The founding fathers were heavily influenced by [[John Locke]], who promoted the principles of [[individual freedom]] and a [[limited government]] based on [[natural law]] and [[unalienable rights]], as advocated by [[John Locke]].<ref name="USHistory.org">[http://www.ushistory.org/gov/2.asp 2. Foundations of American Government]. ''USHistory.org''. Retrieved August 24, 2019.</ref><ref name="CRF-USA.org">[https://www.crf-usa.org/foundations-of-our-constitution/natural-rights.html The Declaration of Independence and Natural Rights]. ''Constitutional Rights Foundation''. Retrieved August 24, 2019.</ref> The founding fathers themselves strongly supported these principles.<ref name="BoRI">[https://billofrightsinstitute.org/founding-documents/founders-quotes/ Founders’ Quotes on Founding Principles]. ''Bill of Rights Institute''. Retrieved August 24, 2019.</ref><ref>Bleau, Hannah (July 4, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/07/04/13-patriotic-quotes-from-americas-founding-fathers/ 13 Patriotic Quotes from America’s Founding Fathers]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 4, 2019.</ref> Their experience with the tyrannical British government made them distrustful of a powerful government, and their resolve to not repeat this experience is reflected in the U.S. Constitution and [[Bill of Rights]].<ref name="Best">Best, James D. [http://www.whatwouldthefoundersthink.com/the-founders-believed-in-limited-government The Founders Believed in Limited Government]. ''What Would the Founders Think''. Retrieved August 24, 2019.</ref> For example, the Constitution goes to great lengths to mandate the [[separation of powers]], and the Bill of Rights further limits government power to protect individual rights.<ref name="Best"/><ref>Pilon, Roger (July 21, 1995). [https://www.cato.org/publications/commentary/founders-intended-only-limited-powers Founders Intended Only Limited Powers]. ''CATO Institute'' (from ''USA Today''). Retrieved August 24, 2019.</ref><ref name="Federalism">[http://www.ushistory.org/gov/3a.asp 3a. The Founders and Federalism]. ''USHistory.org''. Retrieved August 24, 2019.</ref><ref>Beeman, Richard R. [https://constitutioncenter.org/interactive-constitution/white-pages/the-constitutional-convention-of-1787-a-revolution-in-government The Constitutional Convention of 1787: A Revolution in Government]. ''Constitution Center''. Retrieved August 24, 2019.</ref><ref>[http://www.ushistory.org/gov/2c.asp 2c. Creating the Constitution]. ''USHistory.org''. Retrieved August 24, 2019.</ref><ref>[http://www.ushistory.org/gov/2d.asp 2d. The Bill of Rights]. ''USHistory.org''. Retrieved August 24, 2019.</ref> The founders also emphasized the importance of property rights.<ref name="BoRI"/><ref>Snowball, Timothy (July 11, 2019). [https://pacificlegal.org/the-founding-fathers-of-our-limited-government-george-washington-and-the-importance-of-property-rights/ The Founding Fathers of our limited government: George Washington and the importance of property rights]. ''Pacific Legal Foundation''. Retrieved August 24, 2019.</ref> Many of the founding fathers warned Americans to stay vigilant against trends that erode individual freedom, including the growth of bureaucracy, violation of the separation of powers, and judicial supremacy.<ref>[https://nccs.net/blogs/articles/strong-warnings-from-the-founders Strong Warnings from the Founders]. ''National Center for Constitutional Studies''. Retrieved August 24, 2019.</ref>
The founding fathers ===Views on Slavery===With the understanding that Liberty is the gift of God, the Founding Fathers well understood that [[slavery]] was morally wrong despite facing the question of what could practically be done against it.<ref>Madden, Nate (December 31, 2019). [https://www.conservativereview.com/news/pete-buttigieg-said-framers-constitution-not-understand-slavery-bad-thing-heres-reality-check/ Pete Buttigieg once said that the framers of the Constitution ‘did not understand that slavery was a bad thing.’ Here’s a reality check]. ''Conservative Review''. Retrieved December 31, 2019.</ref> In many instances however, the Founders recognized that slavery which was brought here by the British Empire could not be eliminated immediately without risking the cohesion between the [[Thirteen Colonies]]. Without this cohesion, the Founders feared, all would be hung.<ref>"We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately", Benjamin Franklin</ref> When America declared Independence, Franklin's ''Join or Die'' captured this sentiment in a very powerful way. Thirteen years later at the [[Constitutional Convention]], James Madison expressed his concern that "the greatest danger is that of disunion of the States",<ref>[https://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/debates_823.asp Madison Debates - August 23]</ref> making it clear that for more than a decade nothing scared the Founding generation more than the might of a known superpower where the sun never set. In private correspondence as well as major acts or events, the Founders wrote of Britain's role, such as in the Original "rough draught" of the Declaration of Independence; the topic of the British government's role in slavery came up in discussion at the [[Constitutional Convention]],<ref>[https://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/debates_822.asp Madison Debates - August 22], Col. Mason: This infernal traffic originated in the avarice of British Merchants. ''The British Govt constantly checked the attempts of Virginia to put a stop to it.''</ref> and several founders such as Thomas Paine and Benjamin Rush published pamphlets decrying the practice.<ref>An Address to the inhabitants of the British Settlements on the Slavery of the Negroes in America, by Benjamin Rush</ref> Not wanting to build a government with a single figure as powerful as a king, the Founders sought a Republican form. As a republican form, all domestic issues are decided on a state level, which included the issue of slavery. As early as 1780, the Founding generation succeeded in abolishing slavery. Pennsylvania was the first state to abolish it, followed by Massachusetts in 1783 and Rhode Island and Connecticut in 1784. Other states would continue to follow suit in years to come. The famous [[Northwest Ordinance]] specifically forbid slavery.
===Republicanism===
[[File:Scene at the Signing of the Constitution of the United States.jpg|thumb|300px|Signing of the United States Constitution, by Howard Chandler Christy in 1940]]
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.
===Federalism and separation of powers===
The founding fathers strongly supported the principles of [[federalism]] and the [[separation of powers]] to ensure a limited government.<ref name="Federalism"/><ref>Byas, Steve (December 10, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/print-magazine/item/30746-what-happened-to-federalism What Happened to Federalism?] ''The New American''. Retrieved December 30, 2019.</ref><ref>Green, Mark (December 29, 2019). [https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/rep-mark-green-want-to-save-america-this-gift-from-the-founders-is-the-only-way Rep. Mark Green: Want to save America? Embracing this gift from the Founders is the only way]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved December 30, 2019.</ref>
===Religion===
The [[founding fathers]] did not discuss or advocate for a "[[separation of church and state]]."<ref>Dinan, Stephen; Swoyer, Alex (January 2, 2020). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/jan/2/founding-fathers-never-discussed-separation-betwee/ Founding fathers never discussed wall of separation between church and state]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved January 4, 2020.</ref> They were religiously and theologically diverse, coming from several denominational backgrounds.<ref name="Holmes">David L. Holmes. [https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Founding-Fathers-Deism-and-Christianity-1272214 The Founding Fathers, Deism, and Christianity]. ''Encyclopædia Britannica''. Retrieved May 22, 2017.</ref> Their actual beliefs and practices are debated, but here too, they were diverse and must not be generalized.<ref name="Frazer"/> Some argue that the majority of the founding fathers were deists,<ref name="Holmes"/> while others argue that the most important fathers were "theistic rationalists," meaning they were not deists, but not necessarily Christians either.<ref name="Frazer">Dr. Greg Frazer. [http://masters.edu/the-faith-of-the-founding-fathers/ The Faith of the Founding Fathers]. ''The Master's University''. Retrieved May 22, 2017.</ref> Despite this, scholars agree that some founding fathers were orthodox Christians.<ref name="Holmes"/><ref name="Frazer"/> The founding fathers that were not Christians were influenced by Christianity in a culture where publicly being a Christian was normal.<ref name="Frazer"/>
The founding fathers considered to be "theistic rationalists" did believe God was active in earthly affairs and that religion was essentially important to society because it brought [[morality]].<ref name="Frazer"/> However, they believed this to be true for all religions, rather than just Christianity.<ref name="Frazer"/> They opposed the establishment of an official religion but supported religion in public life.<ref name="Frazer"/>
In a Judiciary Committee report published by the House of Representatives in 1854 titled "''Chaplains in Congress and in the Army and Navy''" it was noted that:
:In this age, there can be no substitute for Christianity; that, in its general principles, is the great conservative element on which we must rely for the purity and permanence of free institutions. That was the religion of the founders of the republic, and they expected it to remain the religion of their descendants.<ref>[https://www.google.com/books/edition/Reports_of_Committees/zaoFAAAAQAAJ Reports of Committees - 16th Congress, 1st Session - 49th Congress, 1st Session], 1854, H. Rep. 124, 33rd Congress, 1st Session</ref>
==== A Table of the Religious Affiliations of American Founders ====
*[https://candst.tripod.com/tnppage/qtable.htm A Table of the Religious Affiliations of American Founders]
== Signatories of the [[Declaration of Independence]] ==
*[[William Jackson (secretary)|William Jackson]] (Secretary)
|}
== Other Founding Fathers ==
*[[Thomas Paine]]
|}
== Genius of the founding fathers ==
*[https://www.heritage.org/the-essential-constitution/the-genius-the-constitution The Genius of the Constitution], Heritage Foundation
*[https://www.thedailystar.com/opinion/columns/first-principles-the-genius-of-the-constitution/article_d2c7ae87-dc04-59f1-8cb6-f287bd701312.html First Principles: The genius of the Constitution], ''The Daily Star''
*[https://scholarlycommons.law.hofstra.edu/faculty_scholarship/454/ Genius of America: How the Constitution Saved Our Country and Why it Can Again], abstract. Hofstra Law Faculty Scholarship
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_QMHo-Keac Why the Founding Fathers Were Probably Smarter Than Us], CBN News (Video)
*[https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/2006/01/15/ben-franklin-was-a-genius/31470688007/ Ben Franklin was a genius], ''The Gainsville Sun''
*[https://washingtonpapers.org/resources/articles/george-washington-genius-in-leadership/ George Washington, Genius in Leadership], Washington Papers website
== 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.eadshome.com/QuotesoftheFounders.htm Eads Home Ministries: Founding Fathers Quotes]
==Further reading==
* [[Memorial Day]], [[Veterans Day]], [[Remembrance Day]]
* [[Vow]]
== References ==
{{reflist|1}}
== External links ==
* [https://www.archives.gov/ The National Archives]
* [https://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]
* [https://books.google.com/books?id=iKrsV46o00AC Anti-slavery in America from the Introduction of African Slaves to the Prohibition of the Slave Trade (1619-1808)], by Mary Stoughton Locke, 1901
* [https://librivox.org/author/4127 Works by the Founding Fathers of the United States - text and free audio] - [[LibriVox]]
* [https://www.gutenberg.org/files/35742/35742-h/35742-h.htm AMERICAN LEADERS AND HEROES], A PRELIMINARY TEXT-BOOK IN UNITED STATES HISTORY BY WILBUR F. GORDY, [[Project Gutenberg]]
== References ==
{{reflist|1}}
== 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.eadshome.com/QuotesoftheFounders.htm Eads Home Ministries: Founding Fathers Quotes]
{{Conservatism}}
{{Greatest Thinkers}}{{Nationalism}}{{Greatest ThinkersConstitutional Convention}}
[[Category:Founding Fathers]]
[[Category:Republicanism]]