THE MEN WHO MADE America
The Founding Fathers were the foremost statesmen of America’s revolutionary generation, the men who secured their country’s independence from Britain and who articulated the liberal principles that became enshrined in the Constitution of the United States. There are no set criteria for inclusion, there is no definitive list of members, and it should be recalled that in spite of the terminology, there were a number of talented women who played a prominent role in the birth of America. However, most historians agree that the ten men listed here made the most significant contributions.
Their greatest achievement, aside from winning a war against the most powerful empire in the world, was to establish such a large modern republic, free from the grip of monarchy, in which the citizens were the ultimate arbiters of power and where every man was (theoretically) equal in the eyes of the law. Capitalism was favoured over state-sponsored monopolies.
The Founders’ success highlights the demography of the colonial system, where it was talent and ability that saw men rise to prominence, rather than the quality of their bloodline. The great powers in Europe were often compromised by a lack of ability among those whose aristocratic backgrounds saw them inherit public office. Thomas Jefferson once described the Founders as “a natural aristocracy”.
And there was diversity among these men. Whereas the great revolutions in France, Russia and China saw one man emerge as a figurehead, the revolution in America remained pluralistic. George Washington was the first president, but there was much debate and argument between Federalists like Washington, John Adams and Alexander Hamilton and staunch Republicans like Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. The
