Which were the greatest and most influential of the founding fathers and why?

Question

Tmess,

I agree, especially on Washington. He was a military man, but not a man behind the ideas that started the revolution.

I think Thomas Paine was one of the greatest founding fathers of all, because his essays helped push people like George Washingon to fight for independence.

Answer 1

Washington.

Because he was so popular, he could have named himself King.

And it would probally havestayed that way.

By his stepping down after his terms, that act is what created democracy.

Answer 2

There are many.

Thomas Paine certainly helped the drive towards independence with Common Sense, and helped reassure them with The Crisis, when the war got rough.

Benjamin Franklin did a lot of the heavy political lifting. He was extremely important i securing the military & financial help from the French that we desperately required, and helped to get our country recognized by the many powerful countries in France.

There was Thomas Jefferson, who actually penned the Declaration, which told off the King once and for all. His words were powerful to the people.

Madison was the Father of the Constitution, and heavily influenced the document. He was a strong leader, and had great insight as to what would work (and what wouldn't) for our new country.

Then, of course, there was Washington, who led the American Army into battle, and was actually in battle. He suffered many defeats, but won it when it counted, and was an inspiration to everybody. As a historian I saw on the History Channel said "It wasn't the fact that he should be President, he MUST be President." He was the only one who everyone had faith in to lead this new country.

Each of these men played a vital role in their own right.

Answer 3

I personally like Ben Franklin because he built his own fortune instead of being from a moneyed class, and that makes him the first American success story. He also fathered our postal system, library and public education.

The most influential would have to be Wahington, because he rejected the then popular idea of becoming a king and creating a monarchy where his descendants would take the throne. He outwitted an army 10 times his size using guerilla warfare (unheard of in Europe) to make the war cost so much that George would quit. He married a divorced woman with a Native American ancestor creating the first real "melting pot" marriage.

I also love Tom Paine. He wrote to the people instead of the upper class and he was fearless.

I think the third would be Thomas Jefferson. He funded the first state college, so that American could grow its own scholars, regardless of class.

I could go on and on. Good question!

Answer 4

My vote would go with James Madison.

First, Madison was one of the primary drafters of the Constitution (contrary to a previous answer, Jefferson was not a delegate to the Constitutional Convention).

Second, Madison was one of the co-authors (along with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay) of the Federalist Papers which were key in both explaining the Constitution and assuring its ratification by New York.

Third, Madison was the primary drafter of the Bill of Rights.

Jefferson and Hamilton probably come in second and third. Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence and was a major correspondent with Madison. Some of Jefferson's ideas ended up in the Bill of Rights. Hamilton was probably the other major player in the drafting of the Constitution (as well as the other major contributor to the Federalist Papers). As the first Secretary of the Treasury and first Secretary of State (which at that time included many of the powers currently assigned to departments like Interior and Commerce), Hamilton and Jefferson played key roles in setting up the new government.

While Washington was a major symbolic figure, he was not the intellectual heavyweight in terms of playing a role in drafting the major documents of the founding.

Answer 5

Thomas Jefferson

Answer 6

Robert Livingston. He was the largest land owner in New York. He administered the oath of office to George Washington. He negotiated the Louisiana purchase. He was on the committee of five that drafted the constitution. He is honored by the state of New York in statuary hall. He was the masonic Grand Master in New York. He helped Robert Fulton invent the steam engine. He was the richest man in New York. Tremendous wealth, then as now, carried a lot of influence.

Answer 7

Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, Hamilton.
Washington led our troops to victory over the British, and gave us the 2 term rule for president even though it took a constitutional amendment to cement it.
Jefferson wrote much of the declaration of independence
Franklin was an ambassador to France and garnered their support for our war of independence.
Hamilton founded the first Bank of America.

Answer 8

well i know george washington was the first president and thats no easy task. especially if youre the first of its kind, leading a country against a world power like britain. he made the first foot prints and did a pretty good job.
he didnt even want to be president. he was elected by a bunch of people who were like, hey. youre a cool general, want to be this thing called a president?

Answer 9

I lean toward Jefferson and Madison, although I like Monroe too. prescient minds all. Cynical and hopeful to precise degrees, open, aware of their own weaknesses but abiding their faith in men.

Answer 10

Thomas Paine, because his book "Common Sense" is what motivated colonists to declare their independence, and fight for it.