American Revolution Ideology of Liberty

Bell Ringer Activity Scenario One: Scenario One: –Your school recently implemented a rule that each student is required to pay a $2.00 service charge for every tardy they have during the course of the semester. This policy is made without the student body’s knowledge or consent. You attempt to voice your opinion to the administration, but they tell you the policy is non-negotiable. What is your response?

Scenario Two: Scenario Two: –Your school recently implemented a policy for school uniforms. Each female student is required to wear a pleated-skirt, white polo top, and dress shoes. Each male student is required to wear pleated-khakis, a white polo top, and dress shoes. You attempt to discuss the new policy with your administration, but they maintain that the uniform standard will not be adjusted nor changed. What is your response?

Scenario Three: Scenario Three: –Your school recently decided to drop several after-school programs to accommodate for the high expenses of secondary education. The programs selected include all dance courses, musical programs, and all sports’ teams. You are a member of one of these groups and want to discuss the implications of the new policy, but the administration ignores your pleas. What is your response?

Actual versus Virtual Representation Actual Representation Actual Representation –Focuses on being physically present  For example: In a court case, the defendant has to be physically present before the judge. Virtual Representation Virtual Representation –Others represent you  For example: In the scenarios from the beginning of class, the interests of the students were formally represented through the administrative body.

Class Discussion During the “Bell Ringer” activity, how did you feel having others represent your interests? During the “Bell Ringer” activity, how did you feel having others represent your interests? How did being virtually represented impinge on your personal liberty? How did being virtually represented impinge on your personal liberty?

Main Points from Excerpts Samuel Pitt’s speech on the Stamp Act: Samuel Pitt’s speech on the Stamp Act: –Rejoices in America’s open resistance. –Compares the colonists to slaves, in that they are oppressed by Great Britain. –Focuses on the injustice of virtual representation. James Wilson’s excerpt: James Wilson’s excerpt: –Denounces the principle of virtual representation. –Questions the nature of the British and their supposed “right” to govern the American colonists.

Common Sense During the 1770s, Thomas Paine advocated for American independence in his pamphlet, Common Sense. His document inspired many colonists to take up the cause of liberty. During the 1770s, Thomas Paine advocated for American independence in his pamphlet, Common Sense. His document inspired many colonists to take up the cause of liberty.

Common Sense “There is something exceedingly ridiculous in the composition of monarchy; it first excludes a man from the means of information, yet empowers him to act in cases where the highest judgment is required. The state of a king shuts him from the world, yet the business of a king requires him to know it thoroughly” (Paine, Thomas Common Sense. New York:Dover Publications, Inc) “There is something exceedingly ridiculous in the composition of monarchy; it first excludes a man from the means of information, yet empowers him to act in cases where the highest judgment is required. The state of a king shuts him from the world, yet the business of a king requires him to know it thoroughly” (Paine, Thomas Common Sense. New York:Dover Publications, Inc)

Common Sense “For all men being originally equals, no one by birth could have a right to set up his own family in perpetual preference to all others for ever, and though himself might deserve some decent degree of honors of his cotemporaries, yet his descendants might be far too unworthy to inherit them” (Paine, Thomas Common Sense. New York:Dover Publications, Inc) “For all men being originally equals, no one by birth could have a right to set up his own family in perpetual preference to all others for ever, and though himself might deserve some decent degree of honors of his cotemporaries, yet his descendants might be far too unworthy to inherit them” (Paine, Thomas Common Sense. New York:Dover Publications, Inc)

Common Sense “We have boasted the protection of Great Britain, without considering, that her motive was interest not attachment; that she did not protect us from our enemies on our account, but from her enemies on her account” (Paine, Thomas Common Sense. New York:Dover Publications, Inc) “We have boasted the protection of Great Britain, without considering, that her motive was interest not attachment; that she did not protect us from our enemies on our account, but from her enemies on her account” (Paine, Thomas Common Sense. New York:Dover Publications, Inc)

Common Sense “Ye that oppose independence now, ye know not what ye do; ye are opening a door to eternal tyranny” (Paine, Thomas Common Sense. New York:Dover Publications, Inc) “Ye that oppose independence now, ye know not what ye do; ye are opening a door to eternal tyranny” (Paine, Thomas Common Sense. New York:Dover Publications, Inc)

Common Sense “When William the Conqueror subdued England, he gave them law at the point of the sword; and until we consent, that the seat of government, in America, be legally and authoritatively occupied, we shall be in danger of having it filled by some fortunate ruffian, who may treat us in the same manner, and then, where will be our freedom?” (Paine, Thomas Common Sense. New York:Dover Publications, Inc) “When William the Conqueror subdued England, he gave them law at the point of the sword; and until we consent, that the seat of government, in America, be legally and authoritatively occupied, we shall be in danger of having it filled by some fortunate ruffian, who may treat us in the same manner, and then, where will be our freedom?” (Paine, Thomas Common Sense. New York:Dover Publications, Inc)

What is the meaning of liberty?