
Founders’ Concept of Liberty
The Founding Fathers prioritized freedom from arbitrary rule and self-governance. Their experiences with religious persecution shaped their views. John Jay’s grandfather, a Huguenot, returned from a voyage to find his family gone and homes occupied by soldiers. Many fled from fines, imprisonment, and execution under British rule.
The Pilgrims sought escape from religious persecution, bringing ideals of self-governance and individual responsibility to America. Slavery was a reality the Founders grappled with, despite their fight for liberty. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson owned slaves while condemning the practice.
The Founders sought a government with checks and balances to protect against human nature’s darker tendencies. Madison argued that even taxation with representation could be tyrannical. Washington stressed the importance of citizens knowing their rights and distinguishing lawful authority from oppression.
Economic freedom was also crucial to the Founders’ concept of liberty. They saw America as a place where industrious individuals could flourish without aristocratic constraints, though this came with the responsibility to maintain families and communities.

Economic Independence
The Founding Fathers viewed economic independence as fundamental to a free society. They believed in the right to support oneself through labor, talents, and abilities. James Madison considered property to include one’s faculties and the right to use them freely.
"The pursuit of happiness" in the Declaration of Independence meant the right to work toward well-being and fulfillment.
The Founders valued the dignity of honest labor and merit-based achievement, contrasting with the British aristocratic system.
- Economic mobility was central to America’s vision
- No aristocrats to serve
- Emphasis on economic independence didn’t mean radical autonomy
- Citizens expected to be responsible for families and contribute to communities
The contradiction between valuing economic independence and profiting from slavery underscored the Founders’ understanding of liberty’s weight and meaning. They aimed to create a society where such contradictions could be resolved through striving for a more perfect union.
George Washington highlighted the importance of teaching Americans to value their rights and stay vigilant, recognizing that an economically independent citizenry was less likely to succumb to oppressive rule.

Political Self-Government
The Founders feared direct democracy could lead to mob rule. They designed a system of political self-government that balanced popular input with institutional safeguards. The Electoral College was created to temper the excesses of direct democracy and prevent foreign interference in American politics.
James Madison feared the “mischiefs of faction” and argued for a republic where elected representatives could mitigate the excesses of the populace. The federal government’s structure, with its system of checks and balances, was designed to prevent overreach and tyranny.
Key Elements of Political Self-Government:
- Senate originally selected by state legislatures
- Stable legislative body contrasting populist House of Representatives
- Emphasis on reason and deliberation over momentary passions
- Dependence on a disciplined, informed electorate
- Representatives expected to refine the will of the people
This system of self-government was built as a political framework to safeguard against human fallibility and fervor, ensuring liberty and order could coexist.

Independence of Will
The Founders saw independence of will as the pinnacle of liberty, built on economic and political independence. They believed self-reliance was a moral duty that allowed individuals to cultivate their ethical selves and participate in informed self-governance.
Mercy Otis Warren’s description of the Boston assembly highlighted individuals of integrity whose “independency of mind” withstood external pressures. This independence of will was seen as crucial for a resilient republic where citizens pursued the common good over personal gain.
Economic freedom was viewed as essential for moral and political autonomy. Alexander Hamilton recognized that not all could exercise an unencumbered will, leading to the Constitution’s deliberative structures.
The Founders aimed to create a culture celebrating virtues like self-reliance and commitment to collective well-being. Their vision of liberty was a dynamic process of ethical self-governance, with independence of will serving as the ultimate safeguard against tyranny.

The Role of Virtue in a Republic
The Founders saw virtue as crucial for America’s success. They believed a thriving republic needed citizens who were educated, self-reliant, and committed to the common good.
Washington argued that an educated populace was vital to defend against tyranny. Adams saw virtue as necessary to sustain the government they designed. For the Founders, virtue meant a public character encompassing:
- Duty
- Honor
- Concern for the common good beyond self-interest
Education was key. Franklin and Jefferson advocated for public education to produce informed citizens who could guard their freedoms and hold government accountable. The Founders also valued self-reliance, seeing economic independence as enabling people to act on conscience rather than necessity.
They were wary of demagoguery and designed mechanisms like the Electoral College as safeguards. Virtue also involved civic qualities like courage, honesty, and putting public good above personal gain.
The Founders envisioned Americans as virtuous, self-reliant, educated citizens capable of sustaining their hard-won freedoms. Maintaining this ideal requires ongoing effort and vigilance from each generation.

Historical Documentation and Interpretation
Understanding the Founders’ intentions requires examining the documents they left behind. Letters, diaries, and essays provide insight into their thoughts and motivations.
Primary source materials are crucial for grasping the Founders’ ideas. Reading Hamilton’s Federalist Papers or Jefferson’s letters offers direct access to their views, unfiltered by modern interpretation.
Washington’s correspondence charts his evolution from British subject to reluctant commander-in-chief. These documents inform today’s constitutional debates in courtrooms and legislatures.
"Preservation and digitization efforts by organizations like the NHPRC have made these documents widely accessible. Modern technology allows for a more comprehensive view of the Founders' communication networks."
Making these archives freely available amplifies the Founders’ voices amid modern misinterpretation. Universal access democratizes historical understanding, making their intentions a shared heritage.
Primary sources play a key role in debates about constitutional originalism versus interpretivism. When Supreme Court justices consult the Federalist Papers, they’re seeking to align with the Constitution’s original intent.
Preserving and studying these documents isn’t just academic – it’s about maintaining the republic’s foundation. The Founders entrusted us with their blueprint for a free society, and understanding it is crucial for our ongoing journey toward a “more perfect union.”1

The Founders’ vision for liberty was shaped by their experiences and principles. Their balance of economic and political independence aimed to produce citizens capable of contributing to a resilient republic. This independence of will remains the ultimate safeguard against tyranny, reflecting the enduring wisdom of their vision for America.