Founding Fathers of America

The term, 'Founding Fathers of America' is often heard when speaking of certain presidents like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. But what exactly does that term mean? The Founding Fathers were several individuals who were part of the original Thirteen Colonies of the United States who led the fought during the American Revolution against the British. They fought with words and in their deeds to establish and contribute to the founding of the United States of America.

The seven individuals credited with founding America include Washington, Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison. Except for Franklin, Hamilton, and Jay, each of the other Founding Fathers was elected to the Presidency of the United States.

Three important documents led to American independence from Britain, including the Declaration of Independence first drafted by a Committee of Five which included Adams, Jefferson, and Franklin. A document advocating ratification of the Constitution were The Federalist Papers, authored by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay. Finally, Jay, Adams, and Franklin negotiated the Treaty of Paris that ended the American Revolution.

In addition, Washington was the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army and was President of the Constitutional Convention as the document was being prepared to become the law of the new country. Washington, Jay, and Franklin are also considered as the Founding Fathers of U.S. Intelligence by the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency). Each of the Founding Fathers held additional roles in the early government of the United States, and four of them signed the Declaration of Independence- Franklin, Adams, and Jefferson.

Of course, each of the Founding Fathers are well-known for other roles in America as well. George Washington is often referred to as the 'Father of His Country' because he played such an important leadership role with the founding of America. He became the first president of the country and won by unanimous vote of the Electoral College.

Thomas Jefferson became the third president, and John Adams, after serving as Washington's Vice-President, became the country's second president, and Jefferson was Adam's Vice-President. Following Jefferson, James Madison became the fourth president of the young country.

Benjamin Franklin, though a politician, is better known for his accomplishments as a writer, scientist, and inventor. He published a best-selling book called Poor Richard's Almanack, invented bifocal glasses, investigated electricity, and organized America's first successful lending library. The book included weather forecasts, astronomical information, and poetry, and was published for 25 straight years. It also included proverbs or sayings such as 'Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.'

John Jay became the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court but later resigned and in 1795 he became New York's first governor. Alexander Hamilton was appointed by Washington as the first Secretary of the Treasury, and his image appears on the ten-dollar bill.

The vision and effort of the Founding Fathers during the 1700s led to American independence from Britain and the birth of the United States of America.