AMERICAN BEGINNINGS
Ideas Behind the Revolution
John Locke People have the natural right to life, liberty, and property Society based on a social contract a. agreement in which people consent to choose and obey a government so long as it safeguards their natural rights. b. If government violates the contract people have the right to revolt.
Limited Government Basic to English Law Magna Carta- 1215 a. limited the power of the King b. guaranteed due process, speedy trial, and trial by peers c. King subject by rule of law 3. English Bill of Rights a. reinforce limitations of King’s power
Thomas Paine’s – Common Sense Pamphlet attacking King George and the monarchy Justification for independence a. allow America to trade more freely b. allow America to create a better society 1. free of tyranny 2. equal social/economic opportunities for all
Declaring Independence Thomas Jefferson wrote final draft Unalienable Rights: God given rights, cannot be taken away a. Life b. Liberty c. Pursuit of Happiness
Declaration of Independence (Continued) 3. “All Men are Created Equal” a. politically equal 1. do not have same ability or wealth 2. Did not embrace women, Native Americans, African-American slaves. 3. July 2, 1776- completed Declaration of Independence
John Hancock John Hancock Patriot of the American Revolution. He served as president of the Second Continental Congress . He is remembered for his large and stylish signature on the Declaration of Independence, which became a symbol of defiance in the colonies
Declaration of Independence 4. July 4, 1776: Declaration of Independence adopted by the Continental Congress.
THE CONSTITUTION
The Federalist Papers The Federalist Papers are a series of 85 articles and essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay promoting the ratification of the United States Constitution.
13th, 14th, 15th Amendments 13th – Slavery is illegal in the United States 14th- All persons born in the United States are citizens and guaranteed protection of the laws. 15th- Rights of citizens to vote shall not be denied by race, color or previous condition of servitude.
Alexis de Tocqueville was a French political thinker who visited the United States and is best known for his works Democracy in America. Tocqueville saw democracy as an equation that balanced liberty (individualism) and equality (egalitarianism), as well as for the community (populism).
“Out of many, one.” E Pluribus Unum Why is this motto on the Great Seal of The United States?