meet the founding fathers an interactive history lesson by randy bealer
TRANSCRIPT
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
Use this button to return to the previous slide.
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