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George Washington
First President of
the United States
1789-1797
"Father of Our
Country" |
- George Washington provided
military leadership by serving as commander-in-chief of the
Continental Army.
- He
was born in Virginia.
- Washington was elected as first
President of the United States.
- He provided strong leadership
needed to help the young country and provided a model of leadership
for future Presidents.
- George Washington is known as
"Father of Our Country"
Facts
from the Internet Public Library
The
Founding Fathers-Delegates to the Constitutional Convention
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Thomas Jefferson
Third
President of the United States
1801-1809
Author of the
Declaration of Independence |
- Thomas
Jefferson provided political leadership by expressing the reasons for
colonial independence from England in the Declaration
of Independence. It states that the authority to govern belongs to
the people rather than to the kings and that all people are created
equal and have rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
- Thomas
Jefferson wrote the Virginia
Statute for Religious Freedom. It states that all people should
be free to worship as they please. The document was the basis for the
First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution which protects religious freedom.
Facts
from the Internet Public Library
Biography
of Thomas Jefferson
Visit
Monticello - Thomas Jefferson's Home
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James Madison
Fourth President of the
United States
1809-1817
"Father of the
Constitution" |
- Madison believed in the importance of
having a U.S.
Constitution.
- He kept detailed notes during the
Constitutional Convention.
- His skills at compromise (a
settlement of a dispute by each party giving up some demands)
helped the delegates reach an agreement during the process of writing
the Constitution.
- James Madison is known as "Father of
the Constitution"
Facts
from the Internet Public Library
Visit
Montpelier - James Madison's Home
History
of the Constitution
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James Monroe
Fifth President of the United
States
1817-1825 |
- Monroe's presidency was a time of peace.
- The Monroe Doctrine (1823) stated that
the American continents were no longer open to European colonization.
The U.S. would not interfere in European wars.
Facts
from the Internet Public Library
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Patrick Henry
Patriot and Orator |
- Patrick Henry inspired patriots from
other colonies when he spoke out against taxation without
representation by saying, "...give me liberty or give me
death."
The
Famous Speech
A
Biography of Patrick Henry
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George Mason
"Father of the Bill of
Rights" |
- George Mason wrote the Virginia
Declaration of Rights, which states that all Virginians should have
certain rights including freedom of religion and freedom of the press.
The document became the basis for the Bill
of Rights of the Constitution of the U.S.
A
Biography of George Mason
George
Mason Online
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