From Arbroath to Independence: Scotland's Surprising Influence on America's Founding Fathers

When people discuss America’s Founding Fathers and the ideas that shaped the United States, the Scottish influence is rarely mentioned, yet it runs surprisingly deep. Many of the founding leaders had Scottish roots, and some of the core philosophies behind the American Revolution were shaped by ideas that emerged from the Scottish Enlightenment and centuries of Scottish thought on liberty and governance. In fact, the Declaration of Independence itself has strong philosophical parallels with Scotland’s own Declaration of Arbroath, written nearly 450 years earlier. Understanding the influence of Scottish heritage on the Founding Fathers and these philosophical links sheds new light on the birth of the United States.

Many of America’s Founding Fathers were either Scottish, Scots-Irish (Ulster Scots), or directly descended from Scottish families, giving them a deep connection to Scotland’s history and values. Almost half of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were of Scottish ancestry. This Scottish connection was more than just heritage it was part of the mindset that valued independence, education, and resistance to tyranny.

One of the most influential Scottish figures among the Founding Fathers was John Witherspoon. Born in Scotland, Witherspoon was a Presbyterian minister and prominent figure of the Scottish Enlightenment before moving to the American colonies in 1768. As president of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton), he mentored several future leaders, including James Madison, who would go on to become the "Father of the Constitution." Witherspoon’s teachings focused on the moral and intellectual principles essential for governance, inspired by his Scottish roots and religious beliefs. As the only clergyman to sign the Declaration of Independence, Witherspoon’s Scottish values, particularly his commitment to liberty and justice, left a lasting mark on America.

John Witherspoon

Another prominent Founding Father with Scottish roots was Alexander Hamilton, whose father was Scottish. Although born in the West Indies, Hamilton’s upbringing and beliefs reflected his Scottish heritage, especially his views on government and fiscal responsibility. As the first Secretary of the Treasury, Hamilton built the foundations of the American economic system and believed in the importance of a strong central government, an idea rooted in the belief that a unified government could provide stability and prosperity a view that was influenced by the orderly yet flexible principles emerging from the Scottish Enlightenment.

Alexander Hamilton

James Wilson, a key contributor to the drafting of the U.S. Constitution and an original Supreme Court Justice, was also born in Scotland. Educated in Scots law, Wilson brought his understanding of legal theory to America, shaping the foundational principles of justice and popular sovereignty the idea that the authority of government derives from the people. His role in promoting democracy and a balanced government structure reflects ideas that were common among Scottish thinkers of the time.

In the 18th century, the Scottish Enlightenment became a hub of revolutionary thought on human nature, society, economics, and government. Thinkers such as David Hume, Adam Smith, and Francis Hutcheson were central to this movement, which directly influenced the Founding Fathers. These philosophers were sceptical of absolute power and promoted reason, equality, and individual rights values that would resonate deeply with the American revolutionaries.

Adam Smith was one of the most influential figures of this movement, known as the "father of modern economics." His book, The Wealth of Nations, published in 1776 the same year as the Declaration of Independence became foundational for economic policy in the new nation. Smith’s ideas on free markets, individual initiative, and the benefits of competition influenced Alexander Hamilton and the direction of American economic thought. The principle that markets should be largely free from excessive government intervention became a cornerstone of the American economy.

Adam Smith

David Hume, a philosopher and historian, argued that human nature, though flawed, could be elevated through reason and sound governance. His scepticism of unchecked power and his ideas on the separation of powers influenced the Founders’ views on establishing a government with checks and balances. Hume’s ideas contributed to the U.S. Constitution’s emphasis on a balanced government that avoids placing too much power in any single branch.

David Hume

Francis Hutcheson, another figure of the Scottish Enlightenment, introduced concepts of natural rights and happiness that had a profound influence on Thomas Jefferson. Hutcheson’s belief that every individual has a right to pursue happiness and that government should promote the well-being of its citizens became a cornerstone of Jefferson’s vision for America, most famously expressed in the Declaration of Independence as the “unalienable rights” to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

One of the most fascinating links between Scottish thought and American independence is found in the Declaration of Arbroath, written in 1320. This document, often considered Scotland’s declaration of independence from England, was signed by Scottish nobles and sent to Pope John XXII as a plea to recognise Scotland’s independence and right to self-governance. Like the American Declaration of Independence, the Declaration of Arbroath is a passionate assertion of the right to liberty and a rejection of tyranny.

The Declaration of Arbroath famously includes a clause that states, “It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.” This powerful statement mirrors the resolve found in the American Declaration, where Jefferson wrote about unalienable rights and the pursuit of happiness. Both documents emphasise that true freedom is a fundamental right worth defending, regardless of the cost.

Another similarity lies in the idea of government by consent. The Declaration of Arbroath asserted that the people had the right to choose their leader and, if necessary, remove a king who did not uphold their interests a radical concept for the time. Similarly, the Declaration of Independence states that governments derive “their just powers from the consent of the governed” and that the people have the right to “alter or to abolish” a government that becomes destructive of their rights.

The parallels between these documents reveal how the principles of Scottish resistance and self-governance influenced the American Founders’ thinking. The Declaration of Arbroath’s emphasis on the people's will as the foundation of legitimate government was groundbreaking for its time, and these ideals found new life in the American colonies centuries later.

Scotland’s contributions to the founding of the United States extend beyond individual ancestry and philosophical inspiration. The values, teachings, and historical examples from Scotland provided a framework for the Founding Fathers as they crafted a nation dedicated to