How did the Founding Fathers view the role of the federal government?

The Founding Fathers of the United States had a clear vision for the role of the federal government in the new nation they were creating. They believed in a limited federal government that would primarily be responsible for national defense, foreign affairs, and ensuring the protection of individual rights. The Founders were deeply concerned about the potential for government tyranny, and sought to create a system of checks and balances that would prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful.

Many of the Founders were influenced by the Enlightenment philosophy of John Locke, who argued that the role of government was to protect the natural rights of individuals, including life, liberty, and property. This idea was reflected in the Declaration of Independence, which declared that all men are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, and that governments are instituted to secure these rights.

The Constitution, which was drafted in 1787, reflected the Founders' vision for a limited federal government. It created a system of separated powers, with three branches of government—the legislative, executive, and judicial—each with its own unique powers and responsibilities. The Constitution also included a Bill of Rights, which provided additional protections for individual rights.

Overall, the Founders believed that the federal government should have a limited role in the lives of individuals and that most powers should be left to the states and to the people themselves. They believed that a strong federal government was necessary to provide for the common defense and to promote the general welfare, but they were wary of giving too much power to the central government.