Documents that Led to the Ideology of the U.S. Government

Speed Review! What is a social contract? What did John Locke believe people had the right to do if the social contract was broken? Who thought people were generally wicked? True or False: John Locke supported Authoritarianism.

Who knows the story of Robin Hood?

The legend of Robin Hood originally was about a man named Robert Hood! He existed but some of the other characters may not have. It takes place in Nottingham, England around 1190-1194 A.D. The King of England, King Richard I, (“the Lionheart”) was gone fighting in the Crusades (a war over Europe to support Christianity) *true!*

While King Richard I was gone, he instituted William Longchamp (similar to a modern day Prime Minister) to take the duties of the throne while he was gone. Taxes went up due to supporting the Crusades and allowing King Richard to keep fighting. The majority of the public was supportive!

King Richard’s brother, John, had a reputation for treachery and he tried to take the throne while Richard was gone. Robin Hood, or Robin of Locksley, was a yeoman (higher in class than a peasant but lower than a landowner). He fought against high taxes and the tyranny of John. Sherriff of Nottingham was a supporter of John and the biggest enemy to Robin Hood. He tried everything he could to have Robin be killed! *legend?* (Robin was a threat!)

Robin Hood felt that the King’s position had too much power. He “robbed from the rich and gave to the poor” because the people of England were being treated poorly and taxed too high. Robin, and his band of men, fought against the Sherriff and his men, collecting money at random

Movie Clip- https://www. youtube. com/watch

QUESTION! What excuses do the people make as to why they shouldn’t fight? How is this an example of why governing is easy in an Autocracy? (i.e. why are democracies difficult?)

QUESTION! How are these ideas Robin Hood speaks about similar to John Locke’s ideas?

Locke mainly focused on opposition to authoritarianism Locke wanted each person to use reason to search after truth rather than simply accept the opinion of authorities or be subject to superstition.

King Richard came back from the Crusades and the rule went back to him and the majority of the people were happy…. But not long later, he died. The rule then went to King John (uh oh!)

The noblemen, or barons, were upset with King John and his tyranny. Tensions grew and the King found himself stuck with little control in a civil war. The noblemen forced King John to sign a document limiting his power in 1215 AD….. The Magna Carta!

In return for King John signing the document, the rebellious barons renewed their oath of allegiance to King John Ending the immediate threat of civil war.

The Magna Carta, or The Great Charter, was the first time that citizens fought for more rights and wanted to put limits on royal authority. It was a step closer to modern democracy. It implied that the king was subject to the law, not above it. This was a revolutionary idea at the time!

QUESTION! How is the Magna Carta an example of a Social contract?