Important People Who Helped Form the United States
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George Washington
- He was the first President from 1789 to 1797.
- He led the Continental Army and helped win the Revolutionary War from 1775 to 1783.
- He also set the rule that presidents can only serve two terms, which is still followed today.
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Thomas Jefferson
- He wrote the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
- He supported individual freedoms and believed in keeping religion separate from government.
- He helped the country grow by making the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, adding about 827,000 square miles of land.
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Benjamin Franklin
- He was an important diplomat who got help from France during the Revolutionary War, which was key to winning.
- He helped write the U.S. Constitution in 1787 and the Bill of Rights in 1791.
- He encouraged public education and new scientific ideas, shaping American values.
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John Adams
- He strongly supported independence and said, “the known world is in arms against us.”
- He was the main negotiator for the Treaty of Paris in 1783, which acknowledged U.S. independence.
- He believed in having a balanced government, which led to the idea of checks and balances.
These important figures helped create the United States through their leadership, ideas, and support for basic rights and government principles.