Were the Founding Founding Fathers (of the US) political terrorists?

Question

This is how the US government defines political terrorism: Violent criminal behavior designed primarily to generate fear in the community, or substantial segment of it, for political purposes.

What do you guys think? Any evidence to back up your outlandish claims?

Answer 1

Based on what define as terrorism then yes. Considering that we were under British rule, then they were also treacherous traitors. They caused violence against their government and civilians that didn't support their cause.

So by definition, yes.

Answer 2

No. The rebellion was a 'grass roots' groundswell, fueled by the pamphlet titled, 'common sense'.

Answer 3

For all intents and purposes, many of the people that participated in the early moments of revolution were political terrorists-- tarring and feathering, among other much crazier, methods were used to "terrorize" tax collectors and get a point across-- and it may seem especially true since the revolt was against a relatively benign colonial ruler (it was more a revolt of principle and theory, than an overthrow of an actual oppressive body-- most of the population still considered themselves good British gentlemen during and after the revolution).

Most of the Founding Fathers themselves, however (like most vanguards) didn't actually take part in messing with tax collectors or even condone the madness-- and their writings were less angry, and more stern with sense of serious finger wagging.

Except Sam Adams. Dude was crazy.

Answer 4

The founding fathers were not terrorist because they were under British rule, therefore not fitting the US definition of terrorism because there wasnt a US government.

They were freedom fighters, so if you want to try to make a point without pissing people off, you might ask" isn't it funny that both the founding fathers and Al Qaeda call themselves freedom fighters?"

But, by your logic, anyone who fights for liberty is a terrorist! I think the real terrorist are those who are willing to take innocent lives to fulfill their selfish goals...(cough cough..Bushcough)

Answer 5

You Norton are a mentalcase!

Answer 6

The Founding Fathers didn't resort to 'violent criminal behavior.' They mostly wrote letters, treatises, and speeches. Some served in the war, while others argued more quietly from their armchairs. To be sure, there were political terrorists on both sides during the Revolution. For most part, the Founders were not those individuals.

Answer 7

No, it was the British that were going from town to town and creating problems. They also tried to take away guns so they could easily control the population by being the only armed group.

Answer 8

It depends on the goals and the perspective, it is a fine line between freedom fighters and terrorists isn't it. Americans revolting would be considered terrorists today by our government despite the instructions in the Declaration of Independence.

Answer 9

Your question gets to the heart of a dilemma that the US goverment faces...how to make a definition of terrorism that doesn't include us, the United States...so for example, the REagan administration charged Ed Peck to lead a task force on terrorism and they could not agree to any single defintion.  Edward Peck explains : "We produced about six, and each and every case, they were rejected, because careful reading would indicate that our own country had been involved in some of those activities."

Even your definition,which is part of what's in the US criminal code,  is not exact to the one used by the CIA or the US Army Code...That shows how much opinions diverge on how to define terrorism.

As for the Founding Fathers, similar concerns arise....so for example, did the founding fathers instill "fear" into the native american community with violent behavior? Absolutely.  In 1779, George Washington basically ordered the destruction of Iroquois lands...he destroyed dozens of iroquois towns and burned their crops, instilling tremendous fear to the native americans...they called him "Town Destroyer" in fact.  I believe one quote, if memory serves, is that Washington described the natives as 'wolves though they are shaped like men"...

And many people also believe that the Founding Fathers...were involved in terrorism as regards the black population, namely their support for the instituion of slavery...plenty of violent tactics employed there as well...

Finally, there was the post REvolutionary war treatment of the Loyalists which involved threats of violence and the confiscation of property.  Under the US criminal code, it is the THREAT or use of violence that constitutes terrorism...So maybe, to some, that falls under the canopy of terrorism as well...

So, to answer your question, I think it is possible to construe many acts of government, including those of founding fathers as "terroristic", but it is depending on the definition as well.