America’s Founding Ideals and Colonial Roots

An ideal is a principle or standard of perfection that we are always trying to achieve.

1. All Americans are equal. a. strongly disagree b. mildly disagree c. mildly agree d. strongly agree

2. Americans have all the freedoms they deserve. a. strongly disagree b. mildly disagree c. mildly agree d. strongly agree

3. Some Americans have more rights than others. a. strongly disagree b. mildly disagree c. mildly agree d. strongly agree

4. All Americans have the same opportunities to succeed in life. a. strongly disagree b. mildly disagree c. mildly agree d. strongly agree

5. Wealthy people have a more powerful voice in American democracy than do others. a. strongly disagree b. mildly disagree c. mildly agree d. strongly agree

Quickwrite #1 Are we, as a nation, upholding those ideals today? Explain your response Are there any ideals that you think should be added?

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.—That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. —Thomas Jefferson, Declaration of Independence, 1776

Americas Founding Ideals Notes Glue the foldable on page 6 in your notebooks You will read and complete the “Definition” and “Influence of Ideal in 1776 and Today” columns On the folded tab, write out the phrase in the Declaration of Independence where this ideal is located

Gallery Walk You and your partner will be assigned a placard Read the placard, examine the primary source and complete the correct section in your packet connecting what you see to an American ideal

1. What four words describe the people in the painting? 2. These people are on a ship. Where might they be going? Why might they be traveling there? 3. The men are signing a document called the Mayflower Compact. What do you think the document might be about? 4. Five founding ideals of the United States are equality, rights, liberty, opportunity, and democracy. Which of these ideals seem to be represented in the painting? Support your answer with specific details from the painting. 5. What details in the painting seem to contradict the founding ideals? Explain your ideas.

“Rights of Englishmen” The idea that people are entitled to certain rights and freedoms is rooted in English history Magna Carta 1215-due process, no taxes without consent, laid the foundations for Parliament, monarch is not above the law English Bill of Rights 1689-only Parliament had the power to tax, individual rights, no cruel and “unusual punishment”, trial by jury

Right to Self-Government House of Burgesses 1619- VA legislature Albany Plan of Union 1754-drafted by Ben Franklin. Proposed a confederation, or alliance, used Iroquois League and ancient Greece as models Was rejected by Parliament as a threat to its authority

Freedom of Religion Colonies all wanted right to self-govern but were divided by religion Many colonists had escaped religious persecution in Europe, ex: Puritans in MA, Catholics in MD, Quakers in PA Acts of Religious Toleration 1649- passed by proprietor in MD, no Christian could be in any way “troubled” because of practicing his/her religion Did not apply to non-Christians, Jews suffered prejudice and could not vote or hold office

Right to Free Expression Zenger Trial 1735- press should have the freedom to print the truth and this freedom is a right that should be protected 1734 John Peter Zenger was arrested for publishing “seditious libels” –rebellious statements that are false or damaging-about the Gov of NY Judge told jury to consider only whether Zenger had published the remarks without regard to their truthfulness Zenger’s attorney, Alexander Hamilton, argued that free people “have a right publicly to remonstrate- against the abuses of power in the strongest terms” Zenger was found not guilty

Right to Think Freely Great Awakening 1730s- religious revival Traveling preachers toured colonies attracting crowds Encouraged people to question authority and think for themselves As they became more freely speaking about religion, this would translate to politics as well

• In the rectangle, create an advertisement encouraging British settlers and indentured servants to come to the colonies. Use simple images and a few phrases to make your message clear. • On the left, write what an American Indian might be thinking about the colonists that your advertisement will bring to North America. • On the right, write what an enslaved African might be thinking about your advertisement.