What Do the First Four Presidents Have in Common?

George Washington's likeness is carved in Mount Rushmore, South Dakota.

The first four presidents of the United States are some of the most unforgettable. George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison were giants in the founding of the country, helping to craft the Declaration of Independence, defeat the British in the Revolutionary War and create a new government. There are many similarities among the quartet.

Helped Craft America's Great Documents

John Adams, the second president, helped lead the push for the Declaration of Independence.

America's first four presidents, George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, were instrumental in creating the two great documents which began the country: The Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, which was spearheaded by Adams during the Continental Congress and signed by both men on July 4, 1776. Washington was away at the time, leading the Continental Army, while Madison was still in the Virginia Legislature. Madison and Washington, however, were key figures during the Constitutional Convention in 1787. Washington served as the convention's president, while Madison proposed the first plan for a three-branch, Federal government.

Were Born in the American Colonies

While some of the other Founding Fathers came from outside America, most notably Alexander Hamilton, who was born in the West Indies, and Robert Morris, who was born in England, the first four presidents were all native-born Americans. Washington, Jefferson and Madison were all Virginians, while Adams was from Massachusetts.

Had Legislative Experience

Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States, influenced and worked with all the others.

Before entering the presidency, all of the first four presidents had some experience with the early legislative process in the American colonies. Washington was head of the Constitutional Convention, while Jefferson served in the Virginia House before crafting the Declaration. Adams served as a Massachusetts delegate to the Continental Congress, and also served as president of the U.S. Senate while vice president under Washington. Madison began his career in the Virginia legislature before moving on to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Had Deep Ties to Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson, the third president, is a connecting factor between the first four presidents. Jefferson served as secretary of state under Washington and then ran against Adams in the election to be the second president. The election was close with Adams winning, so Jefferson served as his vice president. The pair also worked closely together on the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson served as a mentor for Madison, his fellow Virginian, before seeing Madison succeed him as President.

References

• The White House: George Washington
• The White House: John Adams
• The White House: Thomas Jefferson
• The White House: James Madison

Resources

• National Archives: Founding Fathers