The Founding Fathers
- Shayna
- Jun 28, 2024
- 4 min read
The Founding Fathers are a group of men, specifically seven men, who helped to establish the freedom and liberty of the United States of America. We will hear so much more about them as we study more of the history of America!
There certainly were many other men (and women) who were involved in founding America and helping to establish a new nation with many freedoms, but typically those called "Founding Fathers" are these seven:
George Washington
Benjamin Franklin
John Adams
Thomas Jefferosn
James Madison
Alexander Hamilton
John Jay
These men helped to write the Declaration of Independence. This document expressed the feelings of patriotic Americans--they felt that they were being treated unfairly by Britain and the king. They did not have a say in some of the laws and taxes and they thought that they should be free to make decisions for themselves rather than to be ruled from thousands of miles away by parliament and the king.
A committee of five men were designated to write the Declaration of Independence, they were called "The Committee of Five." A declaration is a formal statement or announcement. And the colonists wanted to declare (or announce) to Great Britain and King George that they wanted their freedom!
Three of the Founding Father's were part of the committee of five. Can you guess which three? Click here to see! In truth, the committee left the majority of the writing to Thomas Jefferson. He was only 33 years old. The most famous words from the Declaration are these:
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
Four of the Founding Fathers would become Presidents of the United States. Do you know which ones?
George Washington
John Adams
Thomas Jefferson
James Madison
More interesting information regarding the Founding Fathers:
George Washington led the Continental Army to victory against Great Britain, even though his men were untrained (many of them farmers with no military experience).
James Madison was influential in writing the Constitution of the United States in 1787. He
Benjamin Franklin was a diplomat and helped receive support from France (which ultimately helped them to win the war with Great Britain). He was a scientist who invented many useful things.
Alexander Hamilton gought in the American Revolution, he was the first Secretary of the Treasury under George Washington. He is known as the father of the American financial system.
John Jay was appointed as the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States by George Washington.
Thomas Jefferson was the main writer of the Declaration of Independence. As president of the United States he purchased land from France (known as the Louisiana Purchase) which doubled the size of the United States at that time.
John Adams was a political philosopher. He was extremely influential in the Revolution from Great Britain. His wife, Abigail Adams, is also well-known as they wrote many letters to each other expressing their feelings about liberty and the American cause.
Young Men
Most of the Founding Fathers were relatively young men when they established this new nation. Often we picture older men or we see paintings with men in white wigs with false teeth. Many of the Founding Fathers were quite young when they helped to create this new country.
The truth is, it was fashionable to wear white wigs. Supposedly it began when two fo the kings in Europe were losing their hair and that was undignified. They began to wear wigs to show their prominence and status. Just like with other styles, this became fashionable. They were kept relatively simple in the colonies but some of the kings in England and elsewhere wore very elaborate wigs!
Interesting fact: George Washington did not wear a wig. Although they were fashoionalbe, George kept his own hair. He kept his hair long and tied it back into a ponytail. He did use powder (as did those with wigs), giving it that iconic white color.
How old were they?
George Washington was 43 years old when he accepted the command of the American Army during the war. (side note: he was only 21 years old when he was sent to confront the conflict in the Ohio valley that sparked the French and Indian War!)
Thomas Jefferson was 33 years old when he wrote the Declaration of Independence!
John Adams was 40 years old when he argued for American independence.
James Madison was 36 years old when he attended the Constitutional Convention.
John Jay was 43 years old when he became the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
Alexander Hamilton was 33 years old when he was made Secretary of the Treasury.
The oldest was Benjamin Franklin. He was 70 years old at the Second Continental Congress.
Gratitude for these men
These men were Christian men who had faith in God and believed in Jesus Christ. They were inspired by God to create a free country, a place where men and women could believe in God and follow His son, Jesus Christ. Without these men, we would not have these freedoms today. Joseph Smith was called as a prophet here and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was restored to the earth because of the freedom and liberty we have thanks to the Founding Fathers!
CLICK HERE for a very special story from the prophet Wilford Woodruff
*Answer: Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.
ACTIVITIES AND IDEAS
Learn about the Founding Fathers and what they did (8:46)
Comments