Meet the Founding Fathers
Wait!
• P. 4: Jordan, I need your test back
• P. 6: Alex H and Carter, I need your tests back…
Nick and Lily, I need to give you your tests for
corrections
• ALL: Turn in A of C packets if you still want credit
for them! And you DO STILL WANT CREDIT!
• ALL: Turn in British Point of View Papers…include
3 facts about the lead-up to the American
Revolution
• ALL: Ask me about the color of George
Washington’s shoes and why we’re skipping
George Washington
• “Every post is honorable in which a man can serve his country. “
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Age in 1776: 44
Role before the war:
– Fought in the French and Indian War
– Member of the government of Virginia
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Role during the war:
– Commander in Chief of the Continental Army
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Role after the war:
– 1st President of the United States
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Main Beliefs:
– The US should be neutral until it is stronger and should
avoid long alliances
– Political parties and divisions should be avoided
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Main Legacy:
– Set an example for future presidents to think of the best
interest of the country rather than their political party
– Stepped down after two terms, proving a president
isn’t the same as a king
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Fun Facts:
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Only president to be elected unanimously
Only founding father to free his slaves
Grew marijuana on his farm to use in the soil and for hemp
Is now on the $1 bill and quarter
Benjamin Franklin
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“A Spoonful of Honey will catch more Flies than a Gallon of Vinegar.”
Age in 1776: 70
Role before the war:
– Published a newspaper and
Poor Richard’s Almanack
– Member of the Pennsylvania government
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Role during the war:
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Member of the Second Continental Congress
Helped with the Declaration of Independence
Ambassador to France
Negotiate peace with Great Britain
Role after the war:
– Member of the Constitutional Convention
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Main Beliefs:
– Helped promote the Constitution and unity among the states
– The Constitution should be unanimously approved by the states
to show unity even if states didn’t approve of everything it said
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Main Legacy:
– Helped the US with its relationships in Europe
– Scientist that invented the lightning rod and bifocals
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Fun Facts:
– Is now on the $100 bill
– Wanted the turkey to be the national bird
John Adams
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"I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics
and philosophy."
Age in 1776: 41
Role before the war:
– Served on the Massachusetts Assembly
– Delegate to the First and Second Continental Congresses
Role during the war:
– Diplomat to France (replaced Silas Deane)
Role after the war:
– First Vice President
– Second President of the US
Main Beliefs:
– Federal government should have more power than states
Main Legacy:
– Passed the Alien and Sedition Acts (more later)
Fun Facts:
– Defended the British soldiers at the Boston
Massacre Trial to ensure that they got a fair trial
– His VP, Jefferson, was of a different political party.
– Adams and Jefferson died on the same day: July 4th
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Samuel Adams
Quote: "The truth is, all might be free if they valued freedom, and defended it as they ought."
Age in 1776: 54
Role before the war:
– Tax collector
– Served on the Massachusetts Assembly
– Delegate to the First Continental Congress
– Son of Liberty
Role during the war:
– Delegate to the Second Continental Congress
Role after the war:
– Massachusetts State Constitutional Convention member
– Lieutenant Governor and the Governor of Massachusetts
Main Beliefs:
– Advocate for a republic
Main Legacy:
– Led the fight against the British taxes in the early stages
– Remembered as a leading Son of Liberty
Fun Facts:
– John Adams’ cousin
– His father was a brewer
– Organized first Committee of Correspondence
– Helped write Articles of Confederation
Thomas Jefferson
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“All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent. “
Age in 1776: 33
Role before the war:
– Member of the government of Virginia
Role during the war:
– Governor of Virginia
Role after the war:
– Member of the Continental Congress and Minister to France
– Secretary of State, then Vice President, and then
3rd President of the United States
Main Beliefs:
– Farming society is best
– The national government should remain weak
Legacy:
– Main writer of the Declaration of Independence
Fun Facts:
– Had a pet bird he let eat from his mouth
– Could speak French, Latin, Greek, Spanish, and German
– Is now on the nickel
Alexander Hamilton
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“Even to observe neutrality you must have a strong government. “
Age in 1776: 21
Role before the war:
– College student
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Role during the war:
– Fought with the colonists in New York
– Became an officer in the American army
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Role after the war:
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Lawyer
Member of the Continental Congress
First Secretary of the Treasury
Money man
Main Beliefs:
– Strong national government
– Base of economy should be commerce, not farming
– Disagreed with Thomas Jefferson on both of these
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Legacy:
– Supported and convinced others of the need for a strong national government
– Wrote “The Federalist Papers” with John Jay and James Madison in support of the new Constitution
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Fun Facts:
– Wrote anti-British pamphlets before he was 20
– Was killed in a duel with the Vice President, Aaron Burr, in 1804
– Is now on the $10 bill
John Jay
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”No power on earth has a right to take our property from us without our
consent. “
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Age in 1776: 31
Role before the war:
– Member of the First and Second Continental Congresses
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Role during the war:
– Ambassador to Spain
– Negotiate peace with Great Britain
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Role after the war:
– Secretary of Foreign Affairs
– First Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court
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Main Beliefs:
– Strong national government
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Main Legacy:
– Negotiated Jay’s Treaty with Great Britain in 1794
– Helped write “The Federalist Papers” with Hamilton and Madison
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Fun Facts:
– There were only two people in Jay’s graduating class
– When he was 28, Jay married a 17-year old named Sarah
James Madison
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“All men having power ought to be distrusted to a certain degree. “
Age in 1776: 25
Role before the war:
– Worked in Virginia’s state government
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Role during the war:
– Member of the Continental Congress
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Role after the war:
– Helped to write the Constitution
– Became 4th president
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Main Beliefs:
– Strong national government
– Religious freedom
– Rights of individuals should be protected
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Legacy:
– Wrote “The Federalist Papers” with John Jay
and Alexander Hamilton in support of the new Constitution
– Worked to get the Bill of Rights passed
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Fun Facts:
– Declared war with Britain in 1812
– Was very sickly and believed he would not live very long
– Was a quiet but influential man; is on the $5,000 bill
Time to Vote!
• Which Founding Father…
– Would you vote for today for
President?_________________________
– Would you want to play Guitar Hero
with?_____________________________
– Is the hottest? _____________________
– Is the ugliest? ______________________
– Seems the smartest?_________________
– Had the coolest quote? _______________