The Ideological Foundation for the Creation of the United States Building A New Nation The Ideological Foundation for the Creation of the United States

European Ideas Significant to the Creation of the United States

Ideology system of ideas guiding individuals or institutions and the actions they take. Ideas from the past are still alive, influencing today’s world. Individuals and societies are often defined by what they believe, and they can easily be transformed by new ideas. The United States is defined, in part, by big ideas. We can’t fully understand the United States without looking at the ideas that shaped its creation.

Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) Significant Ideas: Human beings are motived by self-interest and naturally desire power Government is the weapon that human beings use to protect themselves from violent death. People will abandon their rights to any government that provides peace and security. People should not be allowed to protest against a government that provides peace and security.

John Locke (1632-1704) Significant Ideas: They (people) are governed by natural law. “Property” refers not only to material possessions, but also life and liberty. The main reason human beings unite and form a government is for the preservation of their property. Since government has the power to limit freedom, the government must obtain its power from the consent of the governed. The people have the right to alter or abolish their government if the government violates the trust of the people or does not protect the rights of the people.

The Enlightenment

Adam Smith (1723-1790) Significant Ideas: Human beings are creatures of self-interest. Individuals are controlled by an “invisible hand” that guides them, according to their skills and talents, to fulfill the needs and desires of society. The natural result of a free market system is the creation of new products and services at a better quality and price. The economic system is self-regulating when left free of government intervention and the formation of monopolies.

Developments in Colonial Religious Ideas

New England Puritans Significant Ideas: Although good behavior cannot earn a soul salvation, the ability to be good is evidence that an individual is one of God’s elect. Government officials should act according to God’s law. Church and state are united in function—they both serve God—but separated in power. An educated citizenry is necessary for individuals to interpret the meaning of Scripture Puritans must live their lives in a way that the world can see that they are God’s chosen people.

Roger Williams (1603-1683) Significant Ideas: Christians should not use force to prohibit people from worshiping as they please Freedom of thought requires toleration of all groups. The elimination of religion from government offers the world a prospect of peace. The king does not legitimately own the land.

Religion in the American Colonies

Significant Groups: Quakers: Quakers in Pennsylvania did not believe in forcing a population into religious uniformity. Roman Catholics: The Maryland Toleration Act of 1649 allowed religious freedom for all Christian Trinitarians Anglicans: In 1632, the House of Burgesses passed legislation requiring uniformity of religion throughout the colony.

The Great Awakening (1730s – 1760s) Significant Ideas: The Great Awakening emphasized the consequences of eternal damnation stemming from human sinfulness. Religion was extended to the poor, to blacks, and to people in newly settled areas. This phenomenon increased the desire for religious freedom and a separation of church and state.

Colonial Resistance to Great Britain and the “Old World”

Thomas Paine (1737-1809) Significant Ideas: A system based on a hereditary succession to power does not insure good and wise rulers. No form of government is legitimate that does not rest on the consent of the governed. All citizens are equal in their rights. The people have a natural right to live under a government of their own choosing In a world overrun with oppression America is an “asylum for mankind

The Declaration of Independence (1776) Significant Ideas: All men are created equal The rights of the people should be protected by a government The people have the right to alter or abolish a government

The Creation of the United States

George Washington (1732-1799) Significant Ideas: The United States must establish a strong and permanent union of the states. Constitution should be successful in preventing a single individual or political faction from having too much power. Americans should beware of political parties. Americans should beware of geographical divisions. The United States should cultivate peace and harmony with all nations. Americans should act in a way that will inspire human beings for generations

James Madison (1751-1836) Significant Ideas: The most significant danger in a republican form of government comes from united majorities using government to protect their interests. In a large society the people naturally divide into numerous interest groups, and a despotic majority is less likely to form. A bill of rights should be added to the Constitution to calm the fears of those who fear the power of the United States government. Church and state should remain separate. Education protects society against those who threaten liberty.

The Development of American Political Party Ideology

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) Significant Ideas: The government should follow the will of the majority in all cases. the national constitution should allow the states to be the final judge of federal laws. Freedom of expression is the best way to destroy errors of opinion. political leaders should be reminded now and then that the people still possess their spirit of resistance Cities unleash social forces that corrupt morality.

Alexander Hamilton (1755-1804) Significant Ideas: Government officials should form public policy for the common good without having to satisfy the passions of the people All Americans will benefit from a strong federal government than can maintain peace and protect national security. All human beings possess the right to personal freedom and safety. The United States should promote both agricultural production and manufacturing.

Quick Write: Choose one of the Essential Questions below for your writing. You will have 5 minutes to write a specific, relevant and accurate response based on the information from this presentation and your knowledge of history. Of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke, the political philosopher who most shaped United States history was John Locke. Support, modify, or refute this statement. Considering the Puritanism of New England, the Christian revivalism of the Great Awakening, and the rationalism of the Enlightenment, the colonial idea that most shaped United States history was New England Puritanism. Support, modify, or refute this statement. To what extent, if any, were ideas of individual freedom and representative government established in colonial society before the American Revolution? How might one account for the U.S. Constitution surviving over 200 hundred years and becoming the oldest written constitution in the world? Of Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson, the political philosopher who most shaped United States history was Alexander Hamilton. Support, modify, or refute this statement. To what extent, if any, have the ideas of self-government and personal liberty promoted by the United States in the late 1700s had an impact on other nations and societies?