The Founding Fathers Knew Citizenship Was a Duty. Here’s What That Means
The article discusses the founding fathers' vision of citizenship as a duty rather than a privilege. It highlights the importance of civic engagement and self-improvement in maintaining a democratic society. The influence of the American Revolution on global movements for freedom and equality is also emphasized.
- ▪In 1776, the concept of citizenship was emerging as a desire for self-governance grew among the people of British North America.
- ▪The founding fathers believed that citizenship required active participation in the community and personal growth.
- ▪The American Revolution inspired numerous global revolutions, demonstrating the lasting impact of the founders' ideas on democracy and rights.
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American Icons The Founding Fathers Knew Citizenship Was a Duty. Here’s What That Means The American Revolution filmmaker Ken Burns on the founders' radical idea that changed the world By Ken Burns Ken Burns Illustration by VICTOR JUHASZ May 19, 2026 I n 1776, the notion of citizenship was a new idea. But there were now some people living on the East Coast of British North America who wanted to be citizens, not subjects, as most human beings had been throughout history. They knew that it would require self-improvement in order to earn and maintain that right. It’s the beginning of an American catechism that revolves around two ideas, utterly misunderstood for the past 250 years.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Rolling Stone.
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