What was a key philosophy held by the founding fathers?

Answer 1

The central thesis behind the formation of the Federal government was clearly stated in the Declaration of Independence. From the Declaration of Independence: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. It was again stated in the Preamble to the Constitution. It was also concisely expressed by James Madison who was a principle author of the document. The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States: We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. "All power is originally vested in, and consequently derived from, the people. That government is instituted and ought to be exercised for the benefit of the people; which consists in the enjoyment of life and liberty and the right of acquiring property, and generally of pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety. That the people have an indubitable, unalienable, and indefeasible right to reform or change their government whenever it be found adverse or inadequate to the purpose of its institution." - James Madison There is no clear "central thesis." The founding fathers' main goal was to create a federal government that was strong enough to run the country, yet not so strong as to infringe individuals' rights. They accomplished this with a system of checks and balances.Also, the government needed to be flexible to adapt as the times change. The amending process provides a way for the Consitution to adapt - when it was written, the country was a small farming country, now, it is three times its original size and is completely industrialized. So, the central thesis of the founding fathers might have been to create a functioning government.