The Revolutionary: Samuel Adams

The Founding Fathers of the US—figures like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison—are central to the nation’s foundational mythos. Traditionally, they are venerated as visionary leaders who crafted the revolutionary principles that define American political philosophy and governance. Their roles in drafting seminal documents like the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution have positioned them as creators of the nation who embody its values such as liberty, democracy, and justice. The US Founding Fathers are often depicted as monolithic paragons of virtue and wisdom, a portrayal that simplifies the complexities of these figures and their times. This traditional view tends to gloss over the contradictions inherent in their ownership of slaves, their views on race and gender, and the compromises they made to establish a lasting union.

In recent years, conversations about the Founding Fathers have evolved significantly. Scholars and the public alike are increasingly interested in a more nuanced understanding of these figures, one that critically examines their flaws and the impacts of their decisions on various groups, including enslaved people, women, and Indigenous people. This shift reflects broader societal movements toward greater historical accountability and inclusiveness.