The Founding Fathers of America were political leaders who took part in the American Revolution by signing the Declaration of Independence, and creating the United States Constitution. The most recognized founding fathers of America are: John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and George Washington. The founding fathers upheld many values. One was, they must realize that liberty is built on fundamental principles. Another was, they must know that independence is not free. It must be both earned and protected. As well as, they needed to grasp that liberty requires public morality. The values of the founding fathers aren't upheld much in todays society. The founding fathers are most similar to Libertarians. They wanted to maximize freedom, while minimizing the power of government. Our government today has a lot of control, and that’s the opposite of what the founding fathers thought should happen.
The Declaration of Independence gave rights men and women the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and stated that everyone is created equal. The main authors were Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin. “We hold these truths to be self-evident:- That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” (272). They wanted all men and women to be created equal, and not to be judged by their gender. Everyone would have the same rights as other citizens. “We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states” (276). They wanted states to have their own independent