meet the founding fathers an interactive history lesson by randy bealer

MEET THE FOUNDING FATHERS

AN INTERACTIVE HISTORY LESSON

By Randy Bealer

Introduction

This lesson will look at three of the men who helped create our nation.

Collectively these men are known as the “Founding Fathers.”

Who were these men who created a new nation?

Navigation

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Use this button to return to the main menu or first slide from the mainmenu.

Use this button to advance to the next slide.

Main Menu

Lesson One

Lesson Two

Lesson Three

Review Quiz

Introduction

Exit lesson

George Washington

Second Son of a prominent Virginia Planter

Self educated – Only completed the equivalent of eighth grade

Surveyor – Spent a large amount of time marking properties inWestern Virginia and the “Ohio Territory”

George Washington

Joined the Virginia Militia as a Major.

Promoted to Colonel during the French and Indian (Seven Years) War.

Took command when General Braddock is killed.

Resigns when deigned a Regular Army commission.

Later forms the “Virginia Blues” regiment of militia.

George Washington

Inherits “Mount Vernon” when his brother dies.

Marries widow Mary Custus.

Elected to House of Burgesses.

George Washington

Selected as a Delegate to the Continental Congress from Virginia.

Wore his Militia uniform to the meetings of Congress.

Selected as Commander-In-Chief of the Continental Army.

Commanded the Army from 1775 – 1783.

George Washington

President of the Constitutional Convention

Federalist – in favor of strong central government

Disliked political parties and refused to join the Federalist Party

George Washington

Elected First President of the United States under the Constitution.

Set precedents for the office of President.

First peaceful transition of power accomplished at the end of his second term.

Benjamin Franklin

Self educated.

Printer’s apprentice – left his brother’s shop.

Arrived in Philadelphia with only a few pennies in his pocket.

Portrait of Benjamin Franklin Engraved by J. Thomson, 1805

From an Original Picture by J.A. Duplessis

Benjamin Franklin

Successful businessman – retired at age 40.

Printer, writer, politician and philosopher.

Portrait of Benjamin Franklin Engraved by J. Thomson, 1805

From an Original Picture by J.A. Duplessis

Benjamin Franklin

Founded the “Associators” – Pennsylvania volunteer militia during the French and Indianan (Seven Years) War.

Founded first volunteer fire company.

Founded first lending library.

Founded University of Pennsylvania.Portrait of Benjamin Franklin Engraved by J. Thomson, 1805

From an Original Picture by J.A. Duplessis

Benjamin Franklin

Inventor and scientist.

Invented- Bifocal glasses- Lightning Rod- Franklin Stove- Armonica – musical instrument

Discovered the relationship between lightning and electricity.

Portrait of Benjamin Franklin Engraved by J. Thomson, 1805

From an Original Picture by J.A. Duplessis

Benjamin Franklin

Diplomat.

Represented Pennsylvania and other colonies in England.

American Ambassador to France.

Participated in the “Treaty of Paris” that ended the Revolution.Portrait of Benjamin Franklin

Engraved by J. Thomson, 1805From an Original Picture by J.A. Duplessis

Benjamin Franklin

Politician.

Delegate to Continental Congress.

Contributed to Declaration of Independence.

Signed the Declaration of Independence.

Delegate to Constitutional Convention.

Signed the Constitution.

Portrait of Benjamin Franklin Engraved by J. Thomson, 1805

From an Original Picture by J.A. Duplessis

Thomas Jefferson

Virginia Planter

Architect

Member of the House of Burgesses

Thomas Jefferson

Delegate to the Continental Congress

Primary author of the Declaration of Independence

Thomas Jefferson

Author of the Virginia Constitution

Governor of Virginia during the Revolution

Thomas Jefferson

Ambassador to France under the Articles of confederation

Democrat-Republican – Strict constructionist

Thomas Jefferson

First Secretary of State

Second Vice-president

Third President

Negotiated Louisiana Purchase

Founded the University of Virginia

Thomas Jefferson

Signed into Law

First decrease in military since the Revolution ended

Creation of the Military Academy at West Point

First increase in the size of the Military

Supported the establishment of Arms manufacturing in the United States.

Review Quiz

Following are three questions about the Founding Fathers we have just studied.

Start Quiz.

Question 1

This Founding Father signed both the Declaration of Independence And the constitution.

George Washington

Benjamin Franklin

Thomas Jefferson

George Washington

Incorrect answer.

General Washington was commanding the Army when

the Declaration of Independence was signed.

Try again.

Benjamin Franklin

Correct!

Franklin returned from England for the Declaration of Independence

and was replaced by Thomas Jefferson as Ambassador to France After the Treaty of Paris.

Question two.

Portrait of Benjamin Franklin Engraved by J. Thomson, 1805

From an Original Picture by J.A. Duplessis

Thomas Jefferson

Incorrect answer.

Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence but was in

France during the Constitutional Convention.

Try again.

Question two

This Founding Father set the example for future leaders.

George Washington

Benjamin Franklin

Thomas Jefferson

George Washington

Correct answer!

General Washington set the precedent or example for future Presidents.

Question three.

Benjamin Franklin

Incorrect answer.

Franklin did many great things. He did so much that it would not be possible

to match his accomplishments.

Try again.Portrait of Benjamin Franklin Engraved by J. Thomson, 1805

From an Original Picture by J.A. Duplessis

Thomas Jefferson

Incorrect answer.

Jefferson was a great man but since Washington was the first President,

he set the standard.

Try again.

Question three

This Founding Father expanded the territory of the United States by buying land from France.

George Washington

Benjamin Franklin

Thomas Jefferson

George Washington

Incorrect answer!

George Washington did not add any territory to the country during his time as President.

Try again.

Benjamin Franklin

Incorrect answer.

Franklin did many great things. He did not hold any political offices after the

Constitutional Convention due to his age.

Try again.Portrait of Benjamin Franklin Engraved by J. Thomson, 1805

From an Original Picture by J.A. Duplessis

Thomas Jefferson

Correct answer!

Jefferson presided over the purchase of the Louisiana Territory that doubled the

size of the country.

Congratulations

You have completed this lesson on the Founding Fathers.

Exit

Portrait of Benjamin Franklin Engraved by J. Thomson, 1805

From an Original Picture by J.A. Duplessis