Our Founding Fathers?

Our Founding Fathers? Who were they?

George Washington • Appearance: tall, built, and a superb athlete • Led the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War • Never attended college (no formal education) • Knew no foreign languages • Afraid of public speaking • A man of few words and not know for saying remarkable quotes • Liked dancing and horseback riding • Interested in perfecting social manners and his social image, which meant wearing fashionable clothes, acting like a gentleman, and caring how others saw him

George Washington (continued) • Known for his great character: humility • Able to resist power in moments of temptation • Retired after he won the Revolutionary War (does not become leader of the new country as many thought he would) • As President he avoids monarchy and establishes many democratic precedents (Ex: the title Mr. President) • Leaves the Presidency after only two terms • He appears uninterested in his own personal gain • This is why his peers looked up to him and why many consider him, still to this day, the greatest president to ever have lived

Benjamin franklin • Successful business man: owned paper mills and rental properties • Also a famous inventor • His book Poor Richard’s Almanac offered advice to the common people • Concerned for the happiness of ordinary people • Hid his true feelings well—many times historians cannot tell in his writings if he is being serious, witty, or humorous

Benjamin franklin (continued) • He is most remembered for his passion and ambition to overthrow the British • He is betrayed by the British • At the beginning of the American Revolution he remains loyal to the US • Then he gets fired since a government official blames him for the civil unrest • At this point he becomes a patriot • Major role: he persuaded the French to join the Patriots • He succeeds and gets not only French soldiers but also French money to buy weapons

Thomas Jefferson • Tried to perfect himself by studying European food, music, painting, and poetry • Very interested in the field of science • Valued education, believing it would help all people become civilized and refined • Not open minded—very opinionated

Thomas Jefferson (Continued) • Stood for the rights of individuals • Wanted people to be judged by their merits, not by their birth right • Disliked big, centralized government that took power away from the people • Did not think the government needed to control trade (government then becomes self interested) • He believed the people themselves would eliminate corruption by voting for virtuous, responsible leaders

Alexander Hamilton • His father left him at an early age • His family immigrated to North America from Scotland • His family did not have much money or personal fame • Gets recognized for his excellent writing abilities • Also fights in the war and eventually serves next to George Washington • Personality: ambitious, angry, arrogant, high strung, and easily excitable

Alexander Hamilton (Continued) • Created a strong national government • Established a national bank • Wanted a permanent army • Wanted the government to regulate businesses • Wanted the government to select various businesses to build roads, canals, etc. • Many people thought his plan made the government corrupt

James Madison • As a major writer of the Constitution he… • Valued religious freedom • Worried that the majority or “popular crowd” would overrun the minority • Created a system of checks and balances to monitor government officials • Also writes the Bill of Rights

James Madison (Continued) • As president he… • Had a strict interpretation of the Constitution • Did not want the federal government to have too much power • In other words he disliked the idea of a national bank, standing army, or law that regulated businesses • He wants free business where everyone has a common interest in peace • Also begins to promote civil rights

John Adams • Arrogant—knew he was smart, disciplined, and dedicated • Not well known or quoted • Believed he did not get the credit he deserved • Defended the British during the Boston Massacre • European diplomat during the Constitutional Convention • First Vice President under Washington • Second President of the United States • Believed American government driven by money

Thomas Paine • Had no formal education • Immigrated from England at age 37 • Looked careless—sort of un-kept • Proud that he was a self made man—he had no connections who pulled strings for him • Wrote Common Sense, the book that persuaded many colonists to declare independence from King George • Persuasive since writing style is not elite—wording suits the ordinary person of his day • Later in life attacks Christianity • Is misunderstood and loses favor with the public

Aaron Burr • He was born into a wealthy family • Enjoyed spending money on lavish living • Lacked virtue: swindled a widow out of her fortune • Not interested in fame or thinking about government • Thought he deserved power because of his birth and because of patronage • He did not think he had to earn it through studying, strong character, or hard work • Challenges Hamilton and kills him • Loses favor with politicians as a result

Our Founding Fathers?