The Founding Fathers: Washington and Jefferson

• Founding Fathers: influential leaders who shaped the United States
• Key figures include George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin

George Washington

• Born February 22, 1732, in Westmoreland County, Virginia
• Died December 14, 1799, in Mount Vernon, Virginia
• Commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War
• Led the Continental Army to victory over the British
• Presided over the Constitutional Convention of 1787
• Unanimously elected as the first President of the United States
• Served two terms, from 1789 to 1797
• Established many presidential traditions and norms
• Known for his leadership, integrity, and commitment to republican ideals
• Farewell Address warned against political factions and foreign entanglements
• Often called the "Father of His Country"

Thomas Jefferson

• Born April 13, 1743, in Shadwell, Virginia
• Died July 4, 1826, in Monticello, Virginia
• Principal author of the Declaration of Independence
• Drafted the Declaration in June 1776
• The Declaration asserted the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
• Served as the third President of the United States, from 1801 to 1809
• Prior to being president, he served as the Governor of Virginia, U.S. Minister to France, and the second Vice President of the United States
• Oversaw the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, doubling the size of the United States
• Championed agrarianism and limited government
• Founded the University of Virginia
• A polymath with interests in science, architecture, philosophy, and agriculture
• Advocate for religious freedom and separation of church and state
• Envisioned an "empire of liberty"

Benjamin Franklin

• Born January 17, 1706, in Boston, Massachusetts
• Died April 17, 1790, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• A leading printer, publisher, author, inventor, and diplomat
• Played a key role in the American Revolution
• Helped draft the Declaration of Independence
• Served as a diplomat to France during the Revolutionary War
• Secured French support for the American cause
• Participated in the Constitutional Convention
• Advocate for compromise and consensus-building
• Contributed significantly to the development of American identity
• Known for his wit, wisdom, and practical inventions
• Inventions include the lightning rod, bifocals, and the Franklin stove
• Author of "Poor Richard's Almanack"
• Emphasized the importance of civic virtue and public service
• Believed in the power of education and self-improvement

Shared Contributions

• All three were key figures in the American Revolution
• Actively participated in resisting British policies and advocating for independence
• All contributed to the drafting and promotion of foundational documents
• Declaration of Independence (Jefferson, Franklin) and the Constitution (Washington, Jefferson, Franklin)
• Served in various capacities as leaders and representatives of the newly formed nation
• Washington as President, Jefferson as President and Secretary of State, Franklin as diplomat
• Shaped the political and philosophical landscape of the United States
• Advocated for principles of liberty, self-government, and individual rights
• Their ideas and actions continue to influence American society and political thought.
• All three owned enslaved people, a contradiction to their espoused ideals of liberty and equality
• The legacy of slavery continues to be a subject of debate and reflection in American history