As the player generates Liberty BellsLiberty Bells, Founding FathersFounding Fathers are elected to the Continental Congress. The Founding Fathers are historical figures who played a more or less important part in the conquest of the New World. Each Founding Father grants the player a new bonus or ability, or causes a certain event to occur, much like the ``Wonders of the World'' in the Civilization series. At the beginning of the game, you will need only a few Liberty Bells to elect a Founding Father to the Continental Congress, but as the game progresses this number may increase to many hundred Bells.
Adam SmithAdam Smith (1723-1790), better known as the Father of Modern
Economics, penned several texts pertaining to Economic theory,
including, ``The Wealth of Nations'' his most famous text. As soon as
Adam Smith joins the Continental Congress, the player is allowed to
build factories, which produce 1.5 units of manufactured goods for
each unit of raw material consumed. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Smith
Jacob Fugger IIJacob Fugger II (1459-1525) was an extremely wealthy German
merchant and banker who amassed a fortune with family partnerships and
stock holdings in the mining industries. As soon as Jacob Fugger joins
the Continental Congress, all BoycottsBoycotts currently
in effect are dropped. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacob_Fugger
Peter MinuitPeter Minuit (1580-1638) bought what later became known as
Manhattan Island from Native Americans for about 60 Dutch guilders. He
later colonized the Delware Bay area as well. As soon as Peter Minuit
is elected to the Continental Congress, the Indians no longer demand
payment for their land. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Minuit
Peter StuyvesantPeter Stuyvesant (1592-1672) was appointed Governor General
of the New Netherlands, which, after a British invasion he could not
stop, became New York. With the election of Peter Stuyvesant, the
construction of Custom Housecustom houses becomes
possible. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Stuyvesant
Jan de WittJan de Witt (1625-1672) was a great Dutch statesmen. He
represented the merchants and a encouraged industry and commerce. He
also negotiated several important treaties for the Dutch to end wars
with England. As soon as Jan de Witt is a member of the Continental
Congress, trade with foreign colonies becomes possible.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_de_Witt
Ferdinand MagellanFerdinand Magellan (1480-1521) was one of the greatest
explorers to navigate the globe. Magellan was first to circumnavigate
the globe and cross the Pacific Ocean. Magellan's election to the
Continental Congress increases the movement of all naval vessels by
one, and the time to sail between Europe and the New World is
reduced. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferdinand_Magellan
Francisco de CoronadoFrancisco Vázquez de Coronado
(1510-1554) was the first European explorer to see the Grand
Canyon. Though he never found the golden cities he searched for, his
mapping of the area now called the Southwestern US was important to
further exploration. As soon as Francisco de Coronado joins the
Continental Congress, all existing colonies become visible on the
map. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francisco_V�zquez_de_Coronado
Hernando de SotoHernando de Soto (1496-1542) was the first European to
explore Florida and the southeastern US. He also held a prominent
role in conquests of Central America. If Hernando de Soto is a member
of the Continental Congress, the exploration of Lost City
RumoursLost City Rumours always yields a positive result, and all land
units have an extended sight radius. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hernando_de_Soto_(explorer)
Henry HudsonHenry Hudson (1565-1611) was an English navigator who
explored and mapped a large area of the northeastern North American
continent. Many waterways in that region are named in his honour. His
original goal was to find the famed Northwest Passage. The election of
Henry Hudson to the Continental Congress doubles the output of all
Expert Fur TrapperFur Trappers. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Hudson
Robert La SalleRobert La Salle (1643-1687) was the first European to travel
the length of the Mississippi river, while on a mission to set up
numerous trading posts along its banks. He later claimed the whole
basin as Louisiana in honor of the French King. Later, he explored
several of the Great Lakes. If Robert La Salle is a member of the
Continental Congress, all colonies gain a stockade as soon as their
population reaches three colonists. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_La_Salle
Hernan CortesHernán Cortés (1485-1547) was a famed Spanish
conquistador who overthrew the Aztec Empire and claimed Mexico for
Spain. As soon as Hernán Cortés joins the Continental Congress,
conquered native settlements always yield treasure (and in greater
abundance) and the King's Galleongalleons transport it
free of charge. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hernan_Cortes
George WashingtonGeorge Washington (1732-1799) was the general who lead the
colonial army to victory over the British to gain independence for the
colonies. This victory and his leadership led to his being named the
new nation's first President. If George Washington is a member of the
Continental Congress, any soldier or dragoon who wins a combat is
automatically upgraded to the next possible
level. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Washington
Paul ReverePaul Revere (1734-1818) was the famed rider of colonial
America who mounted his horse and rode through the countryside
alerting colonists that British soldiers were coming. He was captured
during the ride and later released when his captors believed they were
in grave danger and their prisoner might slow them down. With Paul
Revere a member of the Continental Congress, a colonist automatically
takes up any stockpiled muskets and defends an otherwise undefended
colony if it is attacked. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Revere
Francis DrakeFrancis Drake (1542-1596) was a great English sea captain,
the first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe and a hero in the
fights against the Spanish Armada. The presence of Francis Drake in
the Continental Congress increases the combat strength of all
Privateers by 50%. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Drake
John Paul JonesJohn Paul Jones (1741-1792) was hailed as a great sea
captain in America, and uttered the famous words "Sir, I have not yet
begun to fight" while fighting the British at sea. He later watched
his ship sink to the bottom of the ocean from the deck of a British
vessel. As soon as John Paul Jones is elected to the Continental
Congress, a FrigateFrigate is added to your colonial
navy for free. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Paul_Jones
Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson (1743-1826), a powerful voice of
patriotism, was credited with writing the Declaration of
Independence. He later became the 3rd President of the US. The
election of Thomas Jefferson to the Continental Congress increases
Liberty Bell production in colonies by
50%. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Jefferson
PocahontasPocahontas (1595-1617) was a peacemaker between early
Jamestown settlers and the Native Americans. She is credited with
sending food and other supplies to starving colonists there during
harsh times. She later converted to Christianity and married an
Englishman. When Pocahontas joins the Continental Congress, all
tension levels between you and natives are removed and Indian alarm is
generated half as fast. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pocahontas
Thomas PaineThomas Paine (1737-1809) inspired colonists with his pen at
the urging of Benjamin Franklin. He published a pamphlet, "Common
Sense", guiding the thoughts of patriots all over the colonies. The
election of Thomas Paine to the Continental Congress increases Liberty
Bell production in all your colonies by the value of the
Taxestax rate at the moment he
joins. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Paine
Simon BolivarSimón Bolívar (1783-1830) is remembered as a great
leader in the struggle for South American independence from
Spain. Bolívar freed what is now Venezuela and later became its
first President. When Simón Bolívar joins the Continental
Congress, the Sons of Liberty membership in all existing colonies is
increased by 20%. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Bolivar
Benjamin FranklinBenjamin Franklin (1706-1790), a heavy contributor to the
Declaration of Independence, was one of the voices of the
Revolution. He traveled extensively between Europe and the colonies,
and gained the support of the French in the war. As soon as Benjamin
Franklin is elected to the Continental Congress, the King's foreign
wars no longer have effect on relationships in the New World, and
Europeans in the New World always offer peace in
negotiations. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Franklin
William BrewsterWilliam Brewster (1567-1644) was the Puritan leader of the
Plymouth colony in New England. As soon as William Brewster joins the
Continental Congress, criminals or indentured servants no longer
appear on the docks and you can select which immigrant in the
recruitment pool to move to the docks. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Brewster_(Pilgrim)
William PennWilliam Penn (1644-1718), a close friend of the Duke of
York, was granted the land that is mostly Pennsylvania, Delaware, and
New Jersey. He governed the Quaker colony for several years to provide
a haven to fellow Quakers. The election of William Penn increases
cross production in all colonies by 50%. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Penn
Father Jean de BrebeufFather Jean de Brébeuf (1593-1649)
befriended the Huron Indians and converted many to Christianity. He
died at the hands of the Iroquois who had finally defeated their
enemy, the Hurons. With Jean de Brebeuf a member of the Continental
Congress, all missionaries function as
experts. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_de_Brebeuf
Juan de SepulvedaJuan Ginés de Sepúlveda (1781-1872)
was a Spanish theologian who spoke out for the conquest of Indian
lands and forced evangelization of the natives. The election of Juan
de Sepulveda to the Continental Congress increases the chance that a
subjugated Indian settlement will ``convert'' and join a
colony. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Gines_de_Sepulveda
Bartolome de las CasasBartolomé de las Casas
(1474-1566) was a Catholic Priest who traveled the Indies converting
Indians and chastising Spain for their treatment of the Natives. When
Bartolomé de las Casas joins the Continental Congress, all existing
Indian converts become free
colonists. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bartolome_de_las_Casas
The Birth of a Nation