Difference between revisions of "Founding Fathers"
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[[File:Gilbert Stuart Portrait of George Washington.jpg|thumb|Portrait of George Washington by [[Gilbert Stuart]].]] | [[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 | + | '''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 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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{| | {| | ||
| valign="top" | | | valign="top" | | ||
| − | *1.[[John Adams]] | + | *1.[[John Adams]] Unitarian |
2.[[Samuel Adams]] | 2.[[Samuel Adams]] | ||
| − | + | * Christian- Congregationalist | |
3.[[Josiah Bartlett]] | 3.[[Josiah Bartlett]] | ||
| − | + | *Christian- Congregationalist | |
4.[[Carter Braxton]] | 4.[[Carter Braxton]] | ||
| − | * | + | * Christian- Episcopalian |
5.[[Charles Carroll of Carrollton|Charles Carroll]] | 5.[[Charles Carroll of Carrollton|Charles Carroll]] | ||
| − | + | * roman catholic | |
6.[[Samuel Chase]] | 6.[[Samuel Chase]] | ||
| − | + | *episcopalian | |
7.[[Abraham Clark]] | 7.[[Abraham Clark]] | ||
| − | + | *presbytarian | |
8.[[George Clymer]] | 8.[[George Clymer]] | ||
| − | * | + | * Christian-Episcopalian |
9.[[William Ellery]] | 9.[[William Ellery]] | ||
| − | * | + | * Christian- Congregationalist |
10.[[William Floyd]] | 10.[[William Floyd]] | ||
| − | * | + | * Christian- Congregationalist |
11.[[Benjamin Franklin]] | 11.[[Benjamin Franklin]] | ||
| − | * | + | * Christian- Episcopalian |
12.[[Elbridge Gerry]] | 12.[[Elbridge Gerry]] | ||
| − | * | + | * Christian-Episcopalian |
13.[[Button Gwinnett]] | 13.[[Button Gwinnett]] | ||
| − | * | + | * Christian- Episcopalian; Congregationalist |
14.[[Lyman Hall]] | 14.[[Lyman Hall]] | ||
| − | * | + | * Christian- Congregationalist |
15.[[John Hancock]] | 15.[[John Hancock]] | ||
| − | * | + | * Christian- Congregationalist |
16.[[Benjamin Harrison V|Benjamin Harrison]] | 16.[[Benjamin Harrison V|Benjamin Harrison]] | ||
| − | * | + | * Christian- Episcopalian [ |
17.[[John Hart]] | 17.[[John Hart]] | ||
| − | * | + | * Christian- Presbyterian |
18.[[Joseph Hewes]] | 18.[[Joseph Hewes]] | ||
| − | * | + | * Christian- Quaker, Episcopalian |
19.[[Thomas Heyward]] | 19.[[Thomas Heyward]] | ||
| − | * | + | * Episcopalian |
20.[[William Hooper]] | 20.[[William Hooper]] | ||
| − | * | + | * Christian- Episcopalian |
21.[[Stephen Hopkins]] | 21.[[Stephen Hopkins]] | ||
| − | * | + | * Christian- Episcopalian |
22.[[Francis Hopkinson]] | 22.[[Francis Hopkinson]] | ||
| − | * | + | * Christian- Episcopalian |
23.[[Samuel Huntington (signer)|Samuel Huntington]] | 23.[[Samuel Huntington (signer)|Samuel Huntington]] | ||
| − | * | + | * Christian- Congregationalist |
24.[[Thomas Jefferson]] | 24.[[Thomas Jefferson]] | ||
| − | * | + | * Christian |
25.[[Francis Lightfoot Lee]] | 25.[[Francis Lightfoot Lee]] | ||
| − | * | + | * Christian- Episcopalian |
26.[[Richard Henry Lee]] | 26.[[Richard Henry Lee]] | ||
| − | * | + | * Christian- Episcopalian |
| + | |||
27.[[Francis Lewis]] | 27.[[Francis Lewis]] | ||
| − | * | + | * Christian- Episcopalian |
28.[[Philip Livingston]] | 28.[[Philip Livingston]] | ||
| − | * | + | * Christian- Presbyterian |
29.[[Thomas Lynch, Jr.]] | 29.[[Thomas Lynch, Jr.]] | ||
| − | * | + | * Christian- Episcopalian |
30.[[Thomas McKean]] | 30.[[Thomas McKean]] | ||
| − | * | + | * Christian- Presbyterian |
31.[[Arthur Middleton]] | 31.[[Arthur Middleton]] | ||
| − | * | + | * Christian- Episcopalian |
32.[[Lewis Morris]] | 32.[[Lewis Morris]] | ||
| − | * | + | * Christian- Episcopalian |
34.[[Robert Morris (financier)|Robert Morris]] | 34.[[Robert Morris (financier)|Robert Morris]] | ||
| − | * | + | * Christian- Episcopalian |
35.[[John Morton]] | 35.[[John Morton]] | ||
| − | * | + | * Christian- Episcopalian |
36.[[Thomas Nelson, Jr.]] | 36.[[Thomas Nelson, Jr.]] | ||
| − | * | + | * Christian- Episcopalian |
37.[[William Paca]] | 37.[[William Paca]] | ||
| − | * | + | * Christian- Episcopalian |
38.[[John Penn]] | 38.[[John Penn]] | ||
| − | * | + | * Christian- Episcopalian |
39.[[Robert Treat Paine]] | 39.[[Robert Treat Paine]] | ||
| − | * | + | * Christian- Congregationalist; Unitarian |
| + | |||
40.[[George Read]] | 40.[[George Read]] | ||
| − | * | + | * Christian- Episcopalian |
41.[[Caesar Rodney]] | 41.[[Caesar Rodney]] | ||
| − | * | + | * Christian- Episcopalian [ |
42.[[George Ross]] | 42.[[George Ross]] | ||
| − | * | + | * Christian- Episcopalian |
43.[[Benjamin Rush]] | 43.[[Benjamin Rush]] | ||
| − | * | + | * Christian- Presbyterian |
44.[[Edward Rutledge]] | 44.[[Edward Rutledge]] | ||
| − | * | + | * Christian- Episcopalian |
45.[[Roger Sherman]] | 45.[[Roger Sherman]] | ||
| − | * | + | * Christian- Congregationalist |
46.[[James Smith (signer)|James Smith]] | 46.[[James Smith (signer)|James Smith]] | ||
| − | * | + | * Christian- Presbyterian |
47.[[Richard Stockton]] | 47.[[Richard Stockton]] | ||
| − | * | + | * Christian- Presbyterian |
48.[[Thomas Stone]] | 48.[[Thomas Stone]] | ||
| − | * | + | * Christian- Episcopalean |
49.[[George Taylor]] | 49.[[George Taylor]] | ||
| − | * | + | * Christian- Presbyterian |
50.[[Matthew Thornton]] | 50.[[Matthew Thornton]] | ||
| − | * | + | * Christian- Presbyterian |
51.[[George Walton]] | 51.[[George Walton]] | ||
| − | * | + | * Christian- Episcopalian |
52.[[William Whipple]] | 52.[[William Whipple]] | ||
| − | * | + | * Christian- Congregationalist |
53.[[William Williams]] | 53.[[William Williams]] | ||
| − | * | + | * Christian- Congregationalist |
54.[[James Wilson]] | 54.[[James Wilson]] | ||
| − | * | + | * Christian- Episcopalian; Presbyterian[1] |
55.[[John Witherspoon]] | 55.[[John Witherspoon]] | ||
| − | * | + | * Christian- Presbyterian [1 |
56.[[Oliver Wolcott]] | 56.[[Oliver Wolcott]] | ||
| − | * | + | * Christian- Congregationalist |
| − | 57.[[George Wythe]] | + | 57.[[George Wythe]] Christian- Episcopalian |
|} | |} | ||
| Line 197: | Line 199: | ||
{| | {| | ||
| valign="top" | | | valign="top" | | ||
| − | *[[ | + | *1.[[Andrew Adams]] |
| − | + | Congregationalist | |
| − | *[[ | + | *2.[[Samuel Adams]] |
| − | + | Congregationalist | |
| − | *[[ | + | *3.[[Thomas Adams]] |
| − | + | Protestant, denomination unknown | |
| − | *[[ | + | *4.[[John Banister]] |
| − | + | Episcopalian | |
| − | *[[ | + | *5.[[Josiah Bartlett]] |
| − | + | Congregationalist | |
| − | *[[ | + | *6.[[Daniel Carroll]] |
| − | + | roman catholic | |
| − | *[[ | + | *7.[[William Clingan]] |
| − | + | Protestant, denomination unknown | |
| − | *[[ | + | *8.[[John Collins]] |
| − | + | Protestant, denomination unknown | |
| − | * | + | *9.[[Francis Dana]] |
| − | + | Protestant, denomination unknown | |
| − | + | *10.[[John Dickinson]] | |
| − | + | Quaker; Episcopalian | |
| − | + | *11.[[William Henry Drayton]] | |
| − | *[[John | + | Protestant, denomination unknown |
| − | + | *12.[[James Duane]] | |
| − | + | Episcopalian | |
| − | *[[William | + | *13.[[William Duer]] |
| − | + | Protestant, denomination unknown | |
| − | + | *14.[[William Ellery]] | |
| − | *[[ | + | Congregationalist |
| − | + | *15.[[Elbridge Gerry]] | |
| − | + | Episcopalian | |
| − | *[[ | + | *16.[[John Hancock]] |
| − | + | Congregationalist | |
| − | + | *17.[[John Hanson]] | |
| − | *[[William | + | luthern |
| − | + | *18.[[Cornelius Harnett]] | |
| − | + | Episcopalian (Deist) | |
| − | *[[ | + | *19.[[John Harvie]] |
| − | + | Protestant, denomination unknown | |
| − | + | *20.[[Thomas Heyward Jr.]] | |
| − | *[[ | + | Episcopalian |
| − | + | *21.[[Samuel Holten]] | |
| − | + | Protestant, denomination unknown | |
| − | + | *22.[[Titus Hosmer]] | |
| − | *[[John Hanson]] | + | Protestant, denomination unknown |
| − | + | *23.[[Samuel Huntington]] | |
| − | + | congregationalist | |
| − | *[[Cornelius Harnett]] | + | *24.[[Richard Hutson]] |
| − | + | congregationalist | |
| − | |||
| − | *[[John Harvie]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | *[[Samuel Holten]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | *[[Titus Hosmer]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | *[[Richard Hutson]] | ||
| valign="top" | | | valign="top" | | ||
| − | + | *25.[[Edward Langworthy]] | |
| − | + | Episcopalian | |
| − | *[[Edward Langworthy]] | + | *26.[[Henry Laurens]] |
| − | + | Huguenot | |
| − | + | *27.[[Francis Lightfoot Lee]] | |
| − | *[[Henry Laurens]] | + | episcopalinian |
| − | + | *28.[[Richard Henry Lee]] | |
| − | + | episcopalianian | |
| − | *[[Francis Lightfoot Lee]] | + | *29.[[Francis Lewis]] |
| − | + | episcopalianian | |
| − | + | *30.[[James Lovell]] | |
| − | *[[Richard Henry Lee]] | + | protestant denomination unknwon |
| − | + | *31.[[Henry Marchant]] | |
| − | + | protestant denomination unknown | |
| − | *[[Francis Lewis]] | + | *32.[[John Mathews]] |
| − | + | protestant denomination unknown | |
| − | + | *33.[[Thomas McKean]] | |
| − | *[[James Lovell]] | + | presbytarian |
| − | + | *34.[[Gouverneur Morris]] | |
| − | + | Episcopalian | |
| − | *[[Henry Marchant]] | + | *35.[[Robert Morris (financier)|Robert Morris]] |
| − | + | Episcopalian | |
| − | + | *36.[[John Penn]] | |
| − | *[[John Mathews]] | + | Episcopalian |
| − | + | *37.[[Joseph Reed]] | |
| − | + | Protestant, denomination unknown | |
| − | *[[Thomas McKean]] | + | *38.[[Daniel Roberdeau]] |
| − | + | Protestant, denomination unknown | |
| − | + | *39.[[Nathaniel Scudder]] | |
| − | *[[Gouverneur Morris]] | + | presbyterian |
| − | + | *40.[[Roger Sherman]] | |
| − | + | cogrgeationalist | |
| − | *[[Robert Morris (financier)|Robert Morris]] | + | *41.[[Jonathan Bayard Smith]] |
| − | + | Protestant, denomination unknown | |
| − | + | *42.[[Edward Telfair]] | |
| − | *[[John Penn]] | + | protestant denomination uknown |
| − | + | *43.[[Nicholas Van Dyke]] | |
| − | + | Episcopalian | |
| − | *[[Joseph Reed]] | + | *44.[[John Walton]] |
| − | + | presbytarian | |
| − | + | *45.[[John Wentworth Jr.]] | |
| − | *[[Daniel Roberdeau]] | + | protestant denomination unknown |
| − | + | *46.[[John Williams]] | |
| − | + | Protestant, denomination unknown | |
| − | *[[Nathaniel Scudder]] | + | *47.[[John Witherspoon]] |
| − | + | presbytarian | |
| − | + | *48.[[Oliver Wolcott]] | |
| − | *[[Roger Sherman]] | + | Congregationalist |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | *[[Jonathan Bayard Smith]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | *[[Edward Telfair]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | *[[Nicholas Van Dyke]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | *[[John Walton]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | *[[John Wentworth Jr.]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | *[[John Williams]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | *[[John Witherspoon]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | *[[Oliver Wolcott]] | ||
|} | |} | ||
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{| | {| | ||
| valign="top" | | | valign="top" | | ||
| − | |||
*[[Abraham Baldwin]] | *[[Abraham Baldwin]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
*[[Richard Bassett]] | *[[Richard Bassett]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
*[[Gunning Bedford, Jr.]] | *[[Gunning Bedford, Jr.]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
*[[John Blair]] | *[[John Blair]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
*[[William Blount]] | *[[William Blount]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
*[[David Brearly]] | *[[David Brearly]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
*[[Jacob Broom]] | *[[Jacob Broom]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
*[[Pierce Butler (Founding Father)|Pierce Butler]] | *[[Pierce Butler (Founding Father)|Pierce Butler]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
*[[Daniel Carroll]] | *[[Daniel Carroll]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
*[[George Clymer]] | *[[George Clymer]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
*[[Jonathan Dayton]] | *[[Jonathan Dayton]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
*[[John Dickinson]] | *[[John Dickinson]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
*[[William Few]] | *[[William Few]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
*[[Thomas Fitzsimons]] | *[[Thomas Fitzsimons]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
*[[Benjamin Franklin]] | *[[Benjamin Franklin]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
*[[Nicholas Gilman]] | *[[Nicholas Gilman]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
*[[Nathaniel Gorham]] | *[[Nathaniel Gorham]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
*[[Alexander Hamilton]] | *[[Alexander Hamilton]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
*[[Jared Ingersoll]] | *[[Jared Ingersoll]] | ||
| valign="top" | | | valign="top" | | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
*[[Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer]] | *[[Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
*[[William Samuel Johnson]] | *[[William Samuel Johnson]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
*[[Rufus King]] | *[[Rufus King]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
*[[John Langdon]] | *[[John Langdon]] | ||
| − | |||
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*[[William Livingston]] | *[[William Livingston]] | ||
| − | |||
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*[[James Madison]] | *[[James Madison]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
*[[James McHenry]] | *[[James McHenry]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
*[[Thomas Mifflin]] | *[[Thomas Mifflin]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
*[[Gouverneur Morris]] | *[[Gouverneur Morris]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
*[[Robert Morris (financier)|Robert Morris]] | *[[Robert Morris (financier)|Robert Morris]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
*[[William Paterson (jurist)|William Paterson]] | *[[William Paterson (jurist)|William Paterson]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
*[[Charles Cotesworth Pinckney]] | *[[Charles Cotesworth Pinckney]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
*[[Governor Charles Pinckney|Charles Pinckney]] | *[[Governor Charles Pinckney|Charles Pinckney]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
*[[George Read (signer)|George Read]] | *[[George Read (signer)|George Read]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
*[[John Rutledge]] | *[[John Rutledge]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
*[[Roger Sherman]] | *[[Roger Sherman]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
*[[Richard Dobbs Spaight]] | *[[Richard Dobbs Spaight]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
*[[George Washington]] (president of the convention) | *[[George Washington]] (president of the convention) | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
*[[Hugh Williamson]] | *[[Hugh Williamson]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
*[[James Wilson]] | *[[James Wilson]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
*[[William Jackson (secretary)|William Jackson]] (Secretary) | *[[William Jackson (secretary)|William Jackson]] (Secretary) | ||
|} | |} | ||
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*[[Thomas Paine]] | *[[Thomas Paine]] | ||
|} | |} | ||
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==Further reading== | ==Further reading== | ||
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* [https://librivox.org/author/4127 Works by the Founding Fathers of the United States - text and free audio] - [[LibriVox]] | * [https://librivox.org/author/4127 Works by the Founding Fathers of the United States - text and free audio] - [[LibriVox]] | ||
| + | https://web.archive.org/web/20190908203938/http://www.adherents.com/gov/Founding_Fathers_Religion.html#Articles | ||
== Founding Fathers Quotes == | == Founding Fathers Quotes == | ||
* [http://www.marksquotes.com/Founding-Fathers/ Mark's Quotes: Founding Fathers Quotes] | * [http://www.marksquotes.com/Founding-Fathers/ Mark's Quotes: Founding Fathers Quotes] | ||
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* [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}} | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Nationalism}} |
| + | {{Greatest Thinkers}} | ||
| + | |||
[[Category:Founding Fathers]] | [[Category:Founding Fathers]] | ||
[[Category:Republicanism]] | [[Category:Republicanism]] | ||
Revision as of 06:27, September 9, 2021
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]
Views
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.[3][4] The founding fathers themselves strongly supported these principles.[5][6] 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.[7] 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.[7][8][9][10][11][12] The founders also emphasized the importance of property rights.[5][13] 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.[14]
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.[15] 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.[16] 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",[17] 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,[18] and several founders such as Thomas Paine and Benjamin Rush published pamphlets decrying the practice.[19]
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
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.
Sovereignty
The Founding Fathers cared deeply about preserving national sovereignty, since a sovereign U.S. government would serve the American people alone and protect their unalienable rights, and let them govern themselves.[20] In fact, they chose to declare independence because Britain was not respecting their right to self-government.[20] For example, in his farewell address in September 1796, George Washington warned his fellow Americans against becoming entangled in international treaties and alliances, as he knew it would end American freedom.[21][22] In addition to Washington, Gouverneur Morris criticized "Citizens of the World" at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 and called for constitutional restrictions on foreigners such as a ban on holding office.[23]
Federalism and separation of powers
The founding fathers strongly supported the principles of federalism and the separation of powers to ensure a limited government.[9][24][25]
Religion
The founding fathers did not discuss or advocate for a "separation of church and state."[26] They were religiously and theologically diverse, coming from several denominational backgrounds.[27] Their actual beliefs and practices are debated, but here too, they were diverse and must not be generalized.[28] Some argue that the majority of the founding fathers were deists,[27] while others argue that the most important fathers were "theistic rationalists," meaning they were not deists, but not necessarily Christians either.[28] Despite this, scholars agree that some founding fathers were orthodox Christians.[27][28] The founding fathers that were not Christians were influenced by Christianity in a culture where publicly being a Christian was normal.[28]
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.[28] However, they believed this to be true for all religions, rather than just Christianity.[28] They opposed the establishment of an official religion but supported religion in public life.[28]
Signatories of the Declaration of Independence
14.Lyman Hall
15.John Hancock
17.John Hart
18.Joseph Hewes
32.Lewis Morris
35.John Morton
37.William Paca
38.John Penn
40.George Read
42.George Ross
46.James Smith
48.Thomas Stone
54.James Wilson
57.George Wythe Christian- Episcopalian |
Signatories of the Articles of Confederation
|
Congregationalist Congregationalist Protestant, denomination unknown Episcopalian Congregationalist roman catholic Protestant, denomination unknown Protestant, denomination unknown Protestant, denomination unknown Quaker; Episcopalian Protestant, denomination unknown
Episcopalian
Protestant, denomination unknown Congregationalist Episcopalian
Congregationalist
luthern Episcopalian (Deist)
Protestant, denomination unknown Episcopalian Protestant, denomination unknown
Protestant, denomination unknown congregationalist congregationalist |
Episcopalian Huguenot episcopalinian episcopalianian episcopalianian
protestant denomination unknwon protestant denomination unknown
protestant denomination unknown presbytarian Episcopalian Episcopalian
Episcopalian
Protestant, denomination unknown Protestant, denomination unknown presbyterian cogrgeationalist Protestant, denomination unknown protestant denomination uknown Episcopalian
presbytarian protestant denomination unknown Protestant, denomination unknown presbytarian Congregationalist |
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
- Founding Fathers quotes that mention God
- Gallery of American Heroes
- David Ramsay
- Hero: Gallery of American Heroes
- Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Remembrance Day
- Vow
References
- ↑ Virginia's Historic Homes and Gardens
- ↑ The American Presidents, Washington to Tyler
- ↑ 2. Foundations of American Government. USHistory.org. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
- ↑ The Declaration of Independence and Natural Rights. Constitutional Rights Foundation. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Founders’ Quotes on Founding Principles. Bill of Rights Institute. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
- ↑ Bleau, Hannah (July 4, 2019). 13 Patriotic Quotes from America’s Founding Fathers. Breitbart News. Retrieved July 4, 2019.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Best, James D. The Founders Believed in Limited Government. What Would the Founders Think. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
- ↑ Pilon, Roger (July 21, 1995). Founders Intended Only Limited Powers. CATO Institute (from USA Today). Retrieved August 24, 2019.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 3a. The Founders and Federalism. USHistory.org. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
- ↑ Beeman, Richard R. The Constitutional Convention of 1787: A Revolution in Government. Constitution Center. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
- ↑ 2c. Creating the Constitution. USHistory.org. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
- ↑ 2d. The Bill of Rights. USHistory.org. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
- ↑ Snowball, Timothy (July 11, 2019). The Founding Fathers of our limited government: George Washington and the importance of property rights. Pacific Legal Foundation. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
- ↑ Strong Warnings from the Founders. National Center for Constitutional Studies. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
- ↑ Madden, Nate (December 31, 2019). 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.
- ↑ "We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately", Benjamin Franklin
- ↑ Madison Debates - August 23
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ An Address to the inhabitants of the British Settlements on the Slavery of the Negroes in America, by Benjamin Rush
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 Groves, Steven (December 3, 2010). Why Does Sovereignty Matter to America? The Heritage Foundation. Retrieved November 27, 2017.
- ↑ Washington's Farewell Address 1796. The Avalon Project -- Yale Law School. Retrieved November 27, 2017.
- ↑ Washington's Farewell Address. Government Publishing Office. Retrieved November 27, 2017.
- ↑ Madison Debates – Tuesday August 9, 1787. The Avalon Project. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
- ↑ Byas, Steve (December 10, 2019). What Happened to Federalism? The New American. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
- ↑ Green, Mark (December 29, 2019). Rep. Mark Green: Want to save America? Embracing this gift from the Founders is the only way. Fox News. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
- ↑ Dinan, Stephen; Swoyer, Alex (January 2, 2020). Founding fathers never discussed wall of separation between church and state. The Washington Times. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 David L. Holmes. The Founding Fathers, Deism, and Christianity. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved May 22, 2017.
- ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 28.3 28.4 28.5 28.6 Dr. Greg Frazer. The Faith of the Founding Fathers. The Master's University. Retrieved May 22, 2017.
External links
- The National Archives
- The National Archives - Historical Documents
- The Patriot Post - Historical Documents
- The Constitution from the National Archives
- The Constitution of the United States of America
- Anti-slavery in America from the Introduction of African Slaves to the Prohibition of the Slave Trade (1619-1808), by Mary Stoughton Locke, 1901
- Works by the Founding Fathers of the United States - text and free audio - LibriVox
Founding Fathers Quotes
- Mark's Quotes: Founding Fathers Quotes
- USDOJ & Government Watch: Spirit of America Liberty Quotes
- Eads Home Ministries: Founding Fathers Quotes
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