Articles and Declaration seminar AP government 9/6-9/7

Enlightenment With your small groups Discuss your excerpts – consider the following: Natural Rights of man Each individual born with natural rights such as life, liberty, property Rights that we had in a “state of nature” (before there was civilization) Rights that no one, not even the government, should take away without a good reason Social Contract Established relationships between individuals/citizens and governments Based on mutual consent Role of government in society/role of citizens in society Definition of liberty As a small group, come up with an ideal form of government trying to utilize all ideas presented.

The Enlightenment from England Thomas Hobbes Leviathan Society inherently evil and thus requires a strong central government ex. absolute monarch John Locke Second Treatise on Civil Government Society inherently good State of nature (natural rights) - life, liberty, property Consent of the governed Right to overthrow

The French Philosophes Baron de Montesquieu Spirit of the Laws Checks and balances Separation of powers Rousseau On the Social Contract Citizens must give their rights up to the “general will” of the people Even if they disagree with it

What does it all mean? The Social Contract Representation and taxation Constitutional rule Sovereignty and self-government Revolution Creation of declaration of independence – An instrument of propaganda Internal Audience External Audience Militias (Texas, Montana, Idaho)

Failure of a government Read the articles of confederation. Take notes on the graphic organizer Articles of confederation Unicameral congress (9/13) Currently bicameral (Lower versus upper house) Executive Branch Judicial Branch Division of power Amending the articles Sovereignty Goal: League of friendship versus unification

Shay’s rebellion Washington: Jefferson to Madison “We have probably had too good an opinion of human nature in forming our confederation. Experience has taught us, that men will not adopt and carry into execution measures the best calculated for their own good, without the intervention of a coercive power.” Jefferson to Madison “I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical.”

A failed government cont… What challenges were faced by citizens under the articles? Financial challenges Commercial challenges Currency challenges Civil disorder Founders had liberty as a core principle. The douglass paradox how can the paradox be philosophically justified?