Founding Fathers of America Deserve

¶ … Founding Fathers of America" Deserve to be Venerated?

The process of independence and of creation of a young nation that had lead to the emergence of the United States of America at the end of the 18th century was realized through violent actions such as the American war of independence and through the personal contribution of men such as George Washington, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. They are all representative for the struggle against the British and the emergence of the American state. Washington had fought at Trenton, one of the most important moments is the War; Jefferson was both connected to Washington as his Secretary of state, and with Adams as vice president; finally Adams himself was vice president in the Washington presidency and an illustrious diplomat in the Treaty of Peace negotiations. Their practical achievements guaranteed their place in history. At the same time however, their personal implication in the creation of a national identity and conscience ensured the adhesion of the people to the basic elements that lay at the foundation of the American democracy.

In order to establish a new national harmony in the colonies, there was the need for both political and moral change. The political change was achieved through a revolution, while the moral one through the endorsement of the new concepts of freedom, civil and human rights, and above all, equality.

The American Revolution was caused in large parts by the change in the political and economic orientation of the British rule. The war with France had determined England both to ask for the support of the thirteen colonies and to pretend their unconditional assistance. In their turn, the Americans were less willing to contribute to the British war effort and afterwards pay for a large part of the expenses the war in itself had caused. Thus, they considered that the subsequent taxes imposed by the British on the preferential trade with the colonies were unacceptable. Washington soon brought his contribution to the war against the French, as Robert Middlekauff points out "the war had begun with a skirmish in the wilderness between French troops and American colonials led by young George Washington, whose description of the affair revealed that his interest in war lay in the opportunities it offered for honorable and gallant action." (Middlekauff, 7) Thus, he became a representative of the desire for independence of the Americans towards all foreign presence. Adams was also identified with the independence movement; he was present both in the first and second Continental Congress. (Morgan, 3-28) Finally, Thomas Jefferson was too present in the second Congress and is best remembered for the drafting of the Declaration of Independence.

The Americans had up until then thrived in their philosophical evolution on the basis of the liberal ideas promoted by the Glorious Revolution in 1688, which had ensured the individual of his inalienable freedoms and liberties. However, when the issue of taxation without representation became a general rule in the British Parliament, the Americans viewed it as a breach in their freedoms and power of decision. Therefore, this dilution of liberal rights also led to the desire for independence and separation from the British Empire. From this point-of-view, the three politicians are seen as the promoters of these freedoms. Washington, as the first acting U.S. president, ensured that the Constitution and its provisions are respected in order to lead the establishment of a democratic tradition. (Morgan, 3-31) Adams was the promoter of diplomatic means of ending quarrels, seen especially in the situation of the French War.

The pursuit for the inextricable human freedoms and liberties has been considered by historians and revolutionaries alike to be a "glorious" goal which drove the independence movement. Therefore, there are certain controversies that surround the apparently lofty ideals of the revolutionaries.