Revolutionary Characters

1. The Founding Fathers were products of their time, shaped by Enlightenment ideals

"The founders always seemed larger than life, giants in the earth, 'a forest of giant oaks,' as Lincoln called them, possessing intellectual and political capacities well beyond those who followed them."

Enlightenment influence: The founders were deeply influenced by Enlightenment ideals of reason, progress, and individual liberty. This shaped their vision for a new nation based on republican principles.

Historical context: They were not demigods, but men of their time, grappling with the challenges of creating a new form of government. Their ideas were rooted in classical republicanism, British constitutional theory, and emerging liberal thought.

Diverse backgrounds: The founders came from various backgrounds:

• Wealthy planters (Washington, Jefferson)
• Self-made men (Franklin, Hamilton)
• Lawyers and intellectuals (Adams, Madison)
  This diversity of experience informed their different perspectives on government and society.

2. George Washington's greatness lay in his character and reluctance to wield power

"Washington was the only truly classical hero we have ever had."

Cincinnatus ideal: Washington embodied the classical ideal of Cincinnatus, the Roman general who relinquished power to return to his farm. His voluntary retirement after two terms as president set a powerful precedent for American democracy.

Character over intellect: While not the most intellectual of the founders, Washington's strength lay in his integrity, self-control, and commitment to duty. He was acutely aware of his role in shaping the new nation and acted accordingly.

Unifying figure: Washington's presence was crucial in:

• Leading the Continental Army to victory
• Presiding over the Constitutional Convention
• Serving as the first president, establishing crucial precedents
  His universal respect allowed him to hold together a fragile new nation despite emerging partisan divisions.

3. Benjamin Franklin's image as a self-made man was largely an invention

"Franklin is one of the most massively symbolic figures in American history."

Myth vs. reality: The image of Franklin as a self-made man was largely constructed after his death. In reality, he benefited greatly from patronage and connections throughout his career.

Multifaceted career: Franklin's diverse accomplishments included:

• Scientist and inventor
• Diplomat
• Printer and publisher
• Civic leader
• Philosopher

Carefully crafted persona: Franklin was a master of self-presentation, cultivating different images for different audiences. His "Poor Richard" persona and autobiography helped create the myth of the self-made American that would become central to national identity.

4. Thomas Jefferson embodied America's democratic ideals, despite personal contradictions

"If Jefferson was wrong, America is wrong. If America is right, Jefferson was right."

Democratic vision: Jefferson articulated a powerful vision of American democracy based on individual rights, limited government, and faith in the common man. His words in the Declaration of Independence continue to inspire.

Contradictions: Jefferson's lofty ideals conflicted with his personal reality:

• Slave owner who spoke against slavery
• Champion of the common man who lived as an aristocrat
• Advocate of limited government who expanded executive power as president

Enduring symbol: Despite these contradictions, Jefferson remains a potent symbol of American democracy and the nation's highest ideals. His complexities reflect the ongoing struggle to live up to those ideals.

5. Alexander Hamilton envisioned a powerful centralized government and economy

"Hamilton was undoubtedly a big government man, but because he also seemed to favor big business, conservative Republicans during the first part of the twentieth century continued to praise him."

Economic vision: Hamilton's financial plan laid the groundwork for American capitalism:

• National bank
• Assumption of state debts
• Promotion of manufacturing

Strong central government: He advocated for a powerful federal government capable of:

• Raising taxes
• Maintaining a standing army
• Regulating commerce

Controversial legacy: Hamilton's vision was deeply controversial in his time, seen by opponents as too close to monarchy. His legacy continues to be debated, with some praising his foresight and others criticizing his elitism.

6. James Madison's political philosophy evolved from nationalist to states' rights advocate

"There is no 'Madison problem,' except the one that we have concocted."

Constitutional architect: Madison was the primary architect of the Constitution, advocating for a strong national government to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Shift in focus: During the 1790s, Madison became increasingly concerned about federal overreach and aligned with Jefferson's Democratic-Republican party.

Consistent principles: Despite this apparent shift, Madison maintained consistent core principles:

• Belief in checks and balances
• Protection of individual rights
• Concern about concentrated power (whether in states or federal government)

7. John Adams struggled to reconcile his elitist views with democratic principles

"Adams always believed he was the most underrated and neglected of the revolutionary leaders."

Republican aristocrat: Adams believed in natural aristocracy and the need for elite leadership, yet also championed republican principles. This tension defined much of his political thought.

Unpopular views: Adams' outspoken nature and pessimism about human nature often put him at odds with popular sentiment. His Federalist policies as president led to his defeat by Jefferson in 1800.

Theoretical contributions: Despite his unpopularity, Adams made significant contributions to American political theory:

• Advocacy for balanced government
• Emphasis on the rule of law
• Warning against the dangers of unchecked popular rule

8. Thomas Paine was America's first true public intellectual and radical thinker

"Paine was not a political leader; he was exclusively a writer who stood in an adversarial relationship to the dominant political culture."

Revolutionary pamphleteer: Paine's "Common Sense" galvanized support for independence with its clear, forceful prose accessible to a wide audience.

Radical ideas: Paine advocated for:

• Universal human rights
• Republicanism
• Economic equality
• Separation of church and state

Outsider status: Unlike other founders, Paine remained an outsider, never holding political office. His radicalism eventually led to his ostracism from American society.

9. Aaron Burr's self-interest challenged the founders' vision of virtuous leadership

"Burr threatened nothing less than the great revolutionary hope, indeed, the entire republican experiment, that some sort of disinterested politics, if only among the elite, could prevail in America."

Political ambition: Burr's naked ambition and willingness to put self-interest above principle alarmed other founders, especially Hamilton and Jefferson.

Duel with Hamilton: The infamous duel that killed Hamilton symbolized the clash between Burr's personal ambition and Hamilton's vision of disinterested public service.

Legacy of scandal: Burr's later involvement in unclear western schemes led to his trial for treason, cementing his reputation as a villain in American history.

10. The founders' intellectual creativity shaped American political thought

"The intellectual creativity of the founding generation has never been in doubt."

Unprecedented theorizing: The founders engaged in an extraordinary period of political theorizing to justify revolution and create a new form of government.

Key contributions:

• Federalist Papers
• State constitutions
• Declaration of Independence
• Bill of Rights

Practical application: Unlike purely theoretical philosophers, the founders had to put their ideas into practice, shaping the real-world institutions of American government.

11. The Revolution transformed public opinion and intellectual discourse in America

"Public opinion is so much a part of our politics that it is surprising that we have not incorporated it into the Constitution."

Expanding public sphere: The Revolution dramatically expanded political participation and discussion, creating a new "public" that leaders had to engage with.

Rise of newspapers: The proliferation of newspapers and pamphlets created new forums for political debate and the shaping of public opinion.

Democratic discourse: This transformation challenged traditional notions of deference to elites and laid the groundwork for a more democratic political culture.

Legacy: The founders' engagement with public opinion set the stage for the central role it would play in American democracy, even as they sometimes struggled to adapt to this new reality.

Last updated: December 8, 2024