Founding Fathers and Influential Individuals

Who was Moses?

Central figure in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Led the Israelite out of slavery and into Egypt.

What did Moses recieve?

Ten commandments

What was Moses' impact?

Moral and ethical principles, idea of moral code embedded in American legal system.

What does the legal system emphasize?

Individual responsibility and respect of private property.

Who was William Blackstone?

A judge and legal scholar

What did William Blackstone write?

Commentaries on the Laws of England

What were the Commentaries on the Laws of England?

Comprehensive and influential analysis on English Common Law

What were William Blackstone's philosophies?

Natural law, protection of individuals and property rights

What was the impact of William Blackstone?

Contributed to the ideas of due process of law and law should reflect reason and justice.

Who was John Adam's?

2nd president of the U.S, a lawyer and a diplomat during Revolutionary War.

What were John Adam's philosophies?

Believed in strong central government (national govt should be stronger than states) rule of law; constitutionalism (everyone even leaders should follow the law), checks and balances (three branches of govt share equal power)

What was John Adam's impact?

Contributed to Massachusetts constitution in 1780, his ideas helped produce the structure of US constitution, drafted Treaty of Paris in 1783.

Who was Alexander Hamilton?

Author of Federalist Papers, Founding Father, 1st secretary of the Treasury of US

What were Alexander Hamilton's philosophies?

Believed in strong federal government (national govt should be stronger than states), industrial economy (wanted business to make money for US), national bank (country needed a bank run by the federal govt), loose interpretation of constitution to empower federal govt (constitution adapts to what the people need)

What was Alexander Hamilton's impact?

Helped create economic policies for strong financial system, ideas of strong central govt and permanent army were reflected in the US constitution.

Who was James Madison?

Architect/Design US constitution, 4th US president, Author for federalist papers

What were the federalist papers?

Argued for a strong federal govt

What were James Madison's philosophies?

Believed in strong federal government (national govt should be stronger than states), checks and balances (three branches of govt share equal power)

What was James Madison's impact?

Wrote Bill of Rights (secured individual liberties), Credited with writing the constitution.

Who was John Jay?

Founding father, 1st Chief Justice of the supreme court, 2nd secretary of foreign affairs, Governor of New York, Negotiated the Treaty of Paris, Co-authored the federalist papers, minister to Spain-secured a large loan after war.

What were John Jay's philosophies?

Believed in strong central government (national govt should be stronger than states), supported diplomacy and negotiation (preferred problem solving)

What was John Jay's impact?

Contributed to the draft of the constitution, contributed to the federalist papers, made early interpretations of the constitution bc he was 1st Chief Justice, Aided US economically after war.

Who wrote the Federalist Papers and contributed to the Constitution?

Hamilton, Jay, Madison

Who was George Mason?

Virginia planter, politician, and delegate to the constitutional convention.

What were George Mason's philosophies?

Anti-federalist who opposed the constitution because it didn't have a Bill of Rights. Advocated for individual rights and limitations on federal power.

What was George Mason's impact?

Influenced the creation of the Bill of Rights because of his strong opinion on individual rights. Influenced the Virginia Deceleration of Rights and Virginia Constitution.

Who was Roger Sherman?

Lawyer, Founding father, only person to sign ALL four great state papers of US (Continental Association, Deceleration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, Constitution)

What were Roger Sherman's philosophies?

Believed in strong central government (national govt should be stronger than states)

What was Roger Sherman's Impact?

Role in Connecticut compromise led to the creation of a bicameral (two house) legislature with equal representation in the House of Representatives. This facilitated the adoption of the constitution.

Who was James Wilson?

Lawyer, founding father, one of the signers of both the Deceleration of Independence and U.S Constitution.

What were James Wilson's philosophies?

Believed in strong central government (national govt should be stronger than states), proponent of popular sovereignty (government gets its power from the people).

What was James Wilson's Impact?

Contributed to the drafting of the constitutional and speeches at constitutional convention. Defended the idea of direct popular election for presidency. Supported the concept of judicial review.