Thomas Jefferson gets all the credit for the Declaration of Independence, but Benjamin Franklin and John Adams were equally important in gaining passage by the Continental Congress. Meanwhile, George Washington was raising an army. And, the hard work continued after the war with Alexander Hamilton keeping the country solvent, John Jay forming a centralized government, Sam Adams governing Massachusetts and James Madison authoring the Constitution.

Eight men made the difference in not only surviving the Revolutionary War with England, but surviving independence itself to remain one nation. Learn how each was a major piece of the puzzle that formed the United States.  

The class will include discussion on Washington, Jefferson, Jay and Madison owning slaves, the reasons why and their eventual disposition. Also, we'll discuss presidential policies on American Indians.  

Instructor Rick Snider has 10 years experience teaching presidents to students of all ages, including high school. A Washington journalist of 42 years with major media publications, Rick also has 10 years as a licensed tour guide who specializes in presidential monuments and themes. He's an author of nine books, including three on historical topics, and is a regional publisher of seven history books. Rick is related to five U.S. presidents (James Garfield, William Howard Taft, John F. Kennedy and George H.W. Bush and son George W. Bush) along with presidential assassin John Wilkes Booth.