American History 10 Mr. Riddlebarger Historic Documents American History 10 Mr. Riddlebarger

Sources of Information Primary and Secondary Sources The use of both in the study of history includes an analysis of their credibility (whether or not they are believable). To determine this, check for: Qualifications and reputation of author Agreement with other sources Perspective or bias of the author Accuracy and internal consistency Circumstances in which the author prepared the source

Thesis The main point you present in a report Provides a meaningful interpretation of the past by telling the reader the manner in which historical evidence is significant in some larger context.

The Enlightenment The Enlightenment was a movement of ideas that occurred in Europe between 1680 and 1790. The rejected blindly following tradition, authority or church teachings. The free exercise of reason and the direct observation of nature Natural Rights: Belief that natural law gave each person certain basic “natural rights” that could not be taken away. Right to personal freedom and to own property Social Contract: Citizens enter into a social contract with their ruler to protect their rights. If the ruler violated this “social contract” by failing to protect their rights, then the people had a right to overthrow that ruler & create a new government. Rejection of divine right

Declaration of Independence Written in 1776 (largely by Thomas Jefferson) Approved July 4 Explains the reasons (grievances) colonial leaders decided to break away from Great Britain A series of events since French-Indian War which the colonists deemed were tyrannical acts destructive of their rights Connections to Enlightenment ideals?

Articles of Confederation The document that created the first central government for the United States. 1777 Several critical problems: No separate executive branch Lack of separate Judicial branch Difficult to pass legislation and to amend the Articles Government struggled to pay Revolutionary War debt Shay’s Rebellion

US Constitution 1787; replaces Articles of Confederation Required 9 states to ratify Enlightenment connections?

Federalist Papers The US Constitution is a big departure from the Articles of Confederation Proponents and opponents of the Constitution attempted to sway opinion Proponents- for ratification = Federalists Opponents- against ratification = Anti-Federalists New York was a key state in the debate Essays published in papers by proponents are known as the Federalist Papers Issues debated included National taxation Benefits of strong national defense Distribution of powers Citizen rights Anti-Federalist articles looked at taxation, use of a standing army, national power vs. state power, protection of people’s rights

Bill of Rights Derived from English law Magna Carta Constitutional protections of rights, trial by jury, habeas corpus, cruel and unusual punishment Influenced by: Enlightenment ideals, Colonial experiences, early self-governing experiences, ratification of Constitution Natural rights: life, liberty, property

Northwest Ordinance Adopted in 1787 by 2nd Continental Congress Provided a means for admitting new states to the Union (from Northwest Territory) Subsequently used as the nation expanded further west A bill of rights protecting religious freedom, the right to habeas corpus, trial by jury and other individual rights Precursor for Bill of Rights to Constitution Established a precedent for governing the United States

Republic Key components of: Supreme power is held by the citizens Citizens are entitled to vote Elections are held for government officers and representatives of the citizens Elected officers and representatives are responsible to the citizens Elected officers and representatives govern according to the law