Name____________________________
Founding Fathers Web Quest
George Washington:
1. What were the 3 most crucial events in George Washington’s life? Why were each crucial?
2. Why was George Washington the “Indispensible Man?”
3. Why would Washington also be called the “Father of our Country?”
4. Which 5 rules of civility do you think are the most important? Interpret what he means. Why did
you choose these 5 (explain importance of each)?
5. Why did Washington address his soldiers after the war? Why was the central theme of his
message? How did he show vulnerability? What impact did his vulnerability have on the
soldiers?
6. How does Washington show his principles in his first inaugural address?
7. In his farewell address, how does Washington express his warning against factions (interest
groups)? …political parties? …debt? …foreign affairs?
8. The Apotheosis depicts Washington as angel-like or God-like. Is he deserving of this type of
painting? Explain using concrete reasons.
9. The painting of Washington praying at Valley Forge shows that religion was important in his life.
Cite another example of religion being important in Washington’s life.
10. What are the important lessons that all Americans should take from George Washington?
Samuel Adams:
1. Adams urged the Congress not to show fear. Why was this important for the fight for
independence? How is Adams an example of having faith (cite a specific instance)?
2. Adams is called the “Father of the American Revolution” because there would not have been a
Revolution without him. Cite 5 examples of how this is the case.
3. In The Rights of the Colonists, cite how 3 of the rights listed by Adams have been limited or
infringed upon by American government in recent decades.
4. In the Massachusetts Constitution of 1780, how does Adams feel about religion (Part the First,
Article II); how is this document similar to the ideas of natural rights (cite specific passages of the
document)?
5. What are the important lessons that all Americans should take from Samuel Adams?
Benjamin Franklin:
1. How is Franklin an example of a good citizen (cite instances in which he worked for the common
good of his community)?
2. Why would Franklin be an example of the importance of charity (cite specific evidence)?
3. Why was the Join, or Die political cartoon effective (cite the meaning, the use of the snake, and
its impacts)?
4. Support or critique his stance on helping the poor. How would he suggest helping the poor if he
were in America today?
5. “Pursuit of happiness” as written in the Declaration of Independence was Franklin’s idea. What
were his intentions? How are his intentions different from ideas of redistribution of wealth?
6. How was Franklin instrumental in the winning of independence in the Revolutionary War?
7. Who was Silence Dogood? What was the purpose of the Silence Dogood letters? What were
some of Franklin’s other pseudonyms?
8. Click on the name Silence Dogood (from the page at which you answered #7)…what is the theme
of his first letter (not political...remember he’s 16 and wants to write for the paper, but his brother
wouldn’t let him)?
9. Of his 13 virtues, which 3 do you feel are the most important? Why? Which one(s) do you think
are missing in our nation the most? …our school?
10. What are the important lessons that all Americans should take from Benjamin Franklin?
Thomas Jefferson:
1. What was Jefferson’s overall philosophy about the purpose of government in terms of what he
wrote in the Declaration of Independence?
2. At the end of the Declaration, Jefferson writes about having firm reliance on Divine Providence.
Who is he talking about?
3. Some sources label Jefferson as non-religious since he said “question with boldness even the
existence of God.” However, these sources fail to explain why Jefferson would suggest
questioning with boldness. Read on and tell why Jefferson suggests to question with boldness
the existence of God. Why would Jefferson suggest questioning anything with boldness?
4. In his first inaugural address (scroll down to the third section), cite Jefferson’s line in which he
would suggest that it is wise for government to live within its means. Which line shows that he
encourages entrepreneurship or working hard? What do you think he means when he said
(about wise government) not taking from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned (think in
terms of higher taxes)?
5. What are the important lessons that all Americans should take from Thomas Jefferson?
James Madison:
1. Why is a republic better than a (direct) democracy according to Madison? He believed the only
fatal flaw of a republic was the possibility of factions (interest groups). Do you see this as the
case today? Explain.
2. Why does Madison deserve to be called “Father of the Constitution?”
3. In The Federalist #10, how is a republic form of government the best solution to keep factions
from dividing the nation? What advantage does a republic have over pure democracy? Do you
see factions/interest groups/unions as too powerful today?
4. In The Federalist #51, according to Madison, why are members of the judiciary free from
influence of those who appointed them to office? Why does Madison believe it is necessary to
divide power among separate branches of government (cite specific statements)?
5. What are the important lessons that all Americans should take from James Madison?
John Adams:
1. Cite the 3 most important reasons why John Adams was instrumental in the formation of our
nation (he was heavily involved in the formation of our nation…what are the biggest 3 ways)?
2. In Thoughts on Government, Adams feels that the best form of government is one “whose
principle and foundation is” what? Do you agree? Why or why not? What does Adams believe is
the foundations of most governments, which he calls “brutal?” Are there any such governments
today? List a few.
3. In Thoughts on Government, what form of government does Adams believe is best? Adams
believes in separation of powers in terms of branches of government and lists several reasons
why. Which do you most agree with and why? Adams also favors separation of powers in terms
of a legislative assembly (doesn’t like a unicameral assembly). How do we see Adams thoughts
in our legislature today? How else do we see Adams’ ideas in our government today?
4. Adams issued a proclamation for fasting and prayer. What was the central theme of his reason
why?
5. What are the important lessons that all Americans should take from John Adams?
Alexander Hamilton:
1. Cite 3 ways that we see the ideas of Alexander Hamilton in existence today.
2. In The Federalist #78, Hamilton favors the idea of a federal judges serving for life (period of good
behavior). Do you agree with his reason why? Explain.
3. In The Federalist #78, Hamilton says the Constitution sets up a separate judiciary. Why does he
think this is good? Do you agree with him? Explain.
4. In his Report on Manufacturers, what reasons are given by Hamilton as to why manufacturing
should be pursued? Do you agree or disagree? Explain.
5. What are the important lessons that all Americans should take from Alexander Hamilton?
Others who impacted our Founding Fathers:
1. How did George Whitefield impact the Founding Fathers in terms of a revolution (not the
revolution in terms of the war, but revolution in terms of the mindset)?
2. The Enlightenment was an age in which philosophers gave their thoughts on government and the
rights of individuals. The Enlightenment impacted the Founding Fathers. How did the Black
Robe Regiment also impact the Founding Fathers?
3. Which African-American made the biggest contribution to the independence movement? Why?
4. Which woman made the biggest contribution to the independence movement? Why?
Madison’s Notes:
1. On May 29, 1787, Edmund Randolph proposed several resolutions (Virginia Plan). Cite 3
resolutions that you see in existence today.
2. On May 31, 1787, delegates argued over legislature representation. Some of the arguments at
the beginning were over who should elect the national legislature – by the people or by the state
legislature. As you know, the results would be a House of Representatives elected by the people
and a Senate elected by state legislatures (Great Compromise). Who made a good argument for
elections by the people? Why? Who made a good argument for elections by the state
legislatures? Why? Similar debates took place June 6 and 7, 1787.
3. On June 7, 1787, John Dickinson spoke in favor of state legislatures electing the Senate for
“preservation of States.” How does Dickinson make the argument that state legislatures choosing
the Senate instead of the people (as is done in the House) is an important check and balance?
Do you agree? Do you think state legislatures should choose the Senate today rather than the
people? Why or why not?
4. On July 20, 1787, impeachment was agreed upon as the method of removing the Executive.
Why did Franklin favor impeachment? Do you agree? Explain.
5. On August 7, 1787, the right to vote was discussed. Some delegates wanted the right to vote to
be with freeholders (landowners) since they pay the taxes (property tax) and was aligned with the
principle of taxation with representation and that non-landowners would sell their votes to those
who did own land, while others saw the right to vote as fundamental to all. Which side are you
on? Why?
6. On August 9, 1787, the delegates debated citizenship requirements for the Senate. Gouverneur
Morris wanted a very high number of years that one would have to be a citizen. Charles
Pinckney agreed. What was Pinckney’s reason? Do you think the citizenship requirements in the
House (7 years) and Senate (9 years) are good requirements today? Explain.
7. On August 22, 1787, slavery was debated. Who were some of the delegates who spoke out
against slavery? What were their arguments?
8. On August 25, 1787, the slave trade was to be outlawed in 1808. What was James Madison’s
stance on the subject? What specifically did he say that led to your conclusions?
9. On September 8, 1787, George Mason spoke in favor of adding “maladministration” to “treason
and bribery” as grounds for impeachment. Why was James Madison against this? Do you agree
more with Mason or Madison? Why? Would “maladministration” be better than “high crimes and
misdemeanors?”
10. On September 17, 1787, Franklin gave a famous speech. What was the main idea of his speech
(in terms of convincing the delegates to speak favorably of the new Constitution rather than go
home and state specific objections each had with different parts)? Later in the day, Franklin
noticed a painting of a sun on Washington’s chair and he commented that he wasn’t sure if the
sun was rising or setting, but said he now knows it’s the rising sun. What did he mean by this?
How do you know this to be true? Why did George Mason, Edmund Randolph, and Elbridge
Gerry refuse to sign the Constitution (on the main timeline page, click on their names)?
Thinking Critically: Answer the original questions to keep in mind through the whole web quest.
1. How was each a part of the whole Revolution (not just a revolution in terms of the war)?
2. How were their personal beliefs/philosophies/religion and character important in their actions?
3. What events defined each of the Founding Fathers?
4. Compare and contrast the ideas of the Founding Fathers with current events (size of government,
individual liberty vs. power of government, foreign policy, interest groups, debt, religion, etc).
5. What was the American Revolution (more than just the war)?