Final answer:
The Founding Fathers include key figures like John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson, among others who were essential to establishing the United States and its government.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term Founding Fathers generally refers to a group of influential individuals who played pivotal roles in American history, particularly during the nation's founding period. Prominent among these are seven key figures identified by historian Richard B. Morris in 1973:
John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and George Washington. Hamilton, Jay, and Madison were also the authors of The Federalist Papers, which were instrumental in the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.
While these seven are the most well-known, other important Founding Fathers include James Wilson, Roger Sherman, and George Mason.
Additionally, the term can also encompass a broader group of people beyond the Signers and the Framers, including anyone who contributed to winning American independence and the establishment of the United States.