The abolitionists didn’t hold enough sway. While some argue that there were seven, based upon whatever criteria, there were far more people involved in the founding of the country. Due to the pre-industrial economics of the time, slavers had significant financial influence. The US Civil War was seen as inevitable by the likes of Thomas Paine, another abolitionist and founder - not codifying universal suffrage was just kicking the can down the road.
I view it as similar to Romulus, people love to simplify historical figures to fit in a neater narrative. Rather than understanding the dozens of leaders involved in the creation of the United States, it’s easier to just assign it to 7 figureheads. Eventually maybe people will start thinking Washington was raised by bald eagles!
The abolitionists didn’t hold enough sway. While some argue that there were seven, based upon whatever criteria, there were far more people involved in the founding of the country. Due to the pre-industrial economics of the time, slavers had significant financial influence. The US Civil War was seen as inevitable by the likes of Thomas Paine, another abolitionist and founder - not codifying universal suffrage was just kicking the can down the road.
I view it as similar to Romulus, people love to simplify historical figures to fit in a neater narrative. Rather than understanding the dozens of leaders involved in the creation of the United States, it’s easier to just assign it to 7 figureheads. Eventually maybe people will start thinking Washington was raised by bald eagles!