The Declaration of Independence

Homework & My Questions Every presentation will have several “my questions” that are key to each unit and, in turn, are questions that will help you with writing assignments and will appear on exams. When you are assigned homework, you are expected to answer at least two of these questions using the notes and the presentation I provide and also come up with one question you still have after reading and listening to the presentation. Also, complete the vocabulary pyramids on the homework sheet I provide.

My Q’s What is the purpose of the list of grievances in the Declaration of Independence? What was the Enlightenment? What is the difference between natural rights and the social contract theory? Explain how one grievance in the DOI demonstrates the ideas of natural rights or social contract. Come up with your own question. Complete Vocab Pyramids.

Founding Documents Although this course is American History 1877-Present, the first few weeks or so of class will be devoted to looking at three of the founding documents of America that were written well before They are:  The Declaration of Independence  The Constitution  The Northwest Ordinances So the real question is why are we looking at these documents if they were written before 1877? Or, in other words, why are they so important to study?

The Importance of the Founding Documents The Declaration of Independence: It justifies why the United States became a country and motivates America to live up to the DOI’s standards. The U.S. Constitution: It lays out how the U.S. government functions. The Northwest Ordinance: It continues to provide the framework for how territories of the United States can become states and it set many precedents that the country still adheres to today. All three documents not only influenced many significant actions in American history but also continue to impact our society today.

Literacy & The Enlightenment Literacy and education during the 1600s & 1700s allowed American colonists to participate in an explosion of new ideas and beliefs going on in Europe called the Enlightenment. Throughout the colonies, the literacy rate was close to 50% among males. In England at the same time, the literacy rate was only 33%. Food For Thought: What is the literacy rate today in America?

The Enlightenment The Enlightenment was a movement that embraced ideas that stated that human reason, science, and natural rights should control governments and human actions. The questionable actions of kings, queens, church officials, and the wealthy began to be criticized tremendously for the first time. Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and many of the signers of the Declaration of Independence believed in the Enlightenment wholeheartedly.

John Locke: Enlightenment Philosopher The ideas of Locke were especially influential in America. He professed that all humans have the same natural rights of life, liberty, and property. He stated that a government represents a “social contract” between the ruler and the people.

Locke’s Social Contract According to the social contract, the government— which is given its power by the people—must ensure peoples’ natural rights are not violated. Locke declared that if their rights are violated, the people have an obligation to overthrow the government. In summary, people give the government power in return for protection and fairness.

Locke’s Religious Views Locke believed in Christianity, but he also believed that the individual should decide what is correct about their respective church. Benjamin Franklin, influenced by Locke’s unique beliefs on religion, hopped from church to church in Philadelphia and contributed money to each of them. Followers of the Enlightenment like Franklin, Jefferson, and Thomas Paine did not believe in miracles since they believed that God did not intervene on earth.

Declaring Independence Throughout 1776, American leaders debated whether or not to declare their freedom from Britain. As war intensified, Independence was inevitable and the Continental Congress selected Jefferson to write the DOI. Jefferson, taking notes from Locke, argued that the English government had violated the colonists’ rights and the colonists had to create a new government. This is a prime example of social contract theory.

A List of Grievances Perhaps the most important part of the DOI is the list of 27 grievances (a reason to complain) that justify America’s decision to break off from Britain. Here are just two of these grievances: - “He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.” - “He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the Lives of our people.”

Grievances Explained - “He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.” This grievance was listed because the King—without the permission of the local government—sent the British army to Boston to stop the destructive protests occurring there. This is a perfect example of social contract theory in action. Americans believed that the PEOPLE held the power to decide whether or not they wanted the British army to come or not. When the King does not ask for their consent (permission), Americans see this as a reason to overthrow the corrupt government leading them.

Grievances Explained - “He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the Lives of our people.” In other words, the Americans were upset with what was occurring early on in the Revolution. By the time the DOI is signed is 1776, the Revolution has been going on for a year already. And the British had actually burnt houses and killed many people. This grievance demonstrates the violations of natural rights by the King. The British were taking away the “life, liberty, and property” or the Americans early in the Revolution.