What Historians Don't Want You to Know About the Founding Fathers

What Historians Don't Want You to Know About the Founding Fathers

The Founding Fathers of the United States are often enshrined in myth and viewed through the lens of reverence, yet there are aspects of their lives and beliefs that are less commonly discussed. These men were undeniably instrumental in the birth of a nation, but they were also complex individuals with flaws, contradictions, and perspectives that reflected the turmoil and challenges of their era. This article aims to shed light on some overlooked facets of their lives and provide a more nuanced understanding of the figures that loom large in American history.

Contradictions and Controversies

One of the most significant contradictions associated with the Founding Fathers is their relationship with slavery. While advocating for liberty and equality, many of the Founding Fathers were themselves slaveholders. Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, owned over 600 slaves throughout his lifetime and fathered children with Sally Hemings, one of his enslaved women.

"Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just: that his justice cannot sleep forever." - Thomas Jefferson

George Washington, often hailed as the paragon of virtue, similarly owned slaves. Although he freed his slaves in his will upon his death, this act did not occur during his lifetime, meaning he continued to benefit from slave labor until his passing. This stark division between their public declarations of freedom and their private actions is a blemish seldom brought up in the glorified narratives.

Economic Interests Over Idealism

Another aspect rarely highlighted is the economic motivations that underpinned the American Revolution. While the textbook narrative often emphasizes a fight for liberty and democratic ideals, economic self-interest played a significant role. The slogan "No taxation without representation" underscored the Colonists' dissatisfaction with British economic policies. Figures like John Hancock, a smuggler turned statesman, had vested interests in escaping the economic restrictions imposed by British laws such as the Navigation Acts.

"The spirit of commerce... defy the winds and the waves of the ocean; brave all the hazards of the pathless deep; to procure the produce of other climes, not to decorate and pamper the rich, but to establish on the solid basis of agriculture and commerce the prosperity of the country and independence of the people." - John Hancock

The Constitutional Convention itself was not merely a gathering of visionaries but also a congregation of property owners, merchants, and creditors aiming to create a framework that would secure their financial interests and stability. The very structure of the Senate, Electoral College, and other elements of the U.S. Constitution reflect a delicate compromise meant to balance disparate economic interests.

Exclusion from the Narrative

It is also crucial to acknowledge those who were excluded from the Founding Fathers' vision of democracy. Women, Native Americans, and non-landowning men were largely left out of the initial framework of rights and freedoms. Abigail Adams famously implored her husband, John Adams, to "remember the ladies" when drafting new laws. However, it took over a century before women and other marginalized groups began to gain the rights and recognitions that were lauded as universal at the nation's inception.

The Founding Fathers were also products of their times and held opinions that are today considered outdated or offensive. Benjamin Franklin, for all his enlightened ideas, initially owned slaves before becoming an abolitionist. Many Founding Fathers harbored prejudices that reflected the biases prevalent in 18th-century society, contradicting the universal ideals of equality and justice they professed.

Conclusion

Recognizing the imperfections and complex legacies of the Founding Fathers does not diminish their contributions; rather, it humanizes them and offers a fuller, more incisive understanding of the past. By examining these aspects of their lives, we can engage more critically with American history and appreciate the nuanced realities behind the simplified stories taught in schools. Moreover, this deeper understanding challenges us to reflect on our values and strive for a more equitable society that lives up to the aspirational ideals so ardently championed at the nation's founding.