Mini-Project: Ideals of the Declaration of Independence & Ideals of the Unites States Constitution

Mini-project: The Declaration of Independence Answer: John Locke

Mini-project The Declaration of Independence Question I: What philosopher(s) did Thomas Jefferson most apparently base the “Declaration of Independence” on? p. 80 “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, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”

Mini-project: The Declaration of Independence Question II: What ideas tell you it is Locke? (7 pts) “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, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”

Mini-project: The Declaration of Independence answers Question II: What ideas tell you it is Locke? “All men are created equal” “they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,” “among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” “to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men,” “deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,” “whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it,” “to institute new Government, ….to effect their Safety and Happiness.”

Mini-project Constitution Preamble list the six goals of the United States Government and Union p. 84, Preamble to the Constitution of the United States of America “We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

Mini-project Constitution Preamble list the six goals of the United States Government and Union p. 84, Preamble to the Constitution of the United States of America “We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

Six purposes of the United States Government and Union. “to form a more perfect union” (strong nation) “establish justice” (courts) “insure domestic tranquility” (police, safety) “provide for the common defense” (military) “promote the general welfare” (prosperity) “secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity”

Articles of the US Constitution 1. 1787; 1789 2. V 3. III 4. VI 5. II 6. IV 7. I

Amendments of the US Constitution There are 27 amendments as of 2016.

First Amendment: Freedom of thought/belief/opinion/speech/press; no official religion of the nation. Important because it protects an individual’s ability to think and do for themselves.

Fourth Amendment Right to privacy Important because it protects the individual from random invasion by the government

Fifth Amendment “habeas corpus”, no arrest w/o a crime; right to remain silent Protects individual from random arrest and torture to force a confession.

Ninth Amendment People still have rights though they may not be expressly written in the Constitution. Ensures that future questions of rights held by citizens can be dealt with in a reasonable manner.

Tenth Amendment Powers not expressly written in the Constitution as federal powers are to be held by the states or individuals. Protects the rights of states and individuals to make many decisions that are not expressly held by the national government.

Thirteenth Amendment Forbids slavery Guarantees freedom of all people in the united states from bondage.

Fourteenth Amendment Defines citizenship; Provides federal protection of individual rights from harmful state legislation; defines elections of officers Important because it requires the federal government to protect US citizens from unfair decisions in their states.

Twenty-sixth Amendment Citizens who are 18 years or older may vote Allows more young people to participate in the politics of their city, state, and the nation

James Madison, federalist Madison believes that one government protect the nation and the people. “the Union, as our bulwark against foreign danger, as the conservator of peace among ourselves, as the guardian of our commerce and other common interests…”

Patrick Henry, anti-federalist Henry does not trust any person who becomes a politician. “and that the preservation of our liberty depends on the single chance of men being virtuous (honest) enough to make laws”