Declaration of Independence Notes

What is the Declaration of Independence? A document that declared the United States an independent nation. A document that declared the United States an independent nation.

When was the Declaration of Independence Written? 1776 by Thomas Jefferson. It was officially signed on July 4 th, by Thomas Jefferson. It was officially signed on July 4 th, What holiday is that?

What are the Main Ideas Expressed in the Declaration? Natural Rights Natural Rights Rights all people have that cannot be taken away. They include life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness Rights all people have that cannot be taken away. They include life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness Self-Government Self-Government People should be able to create their own government and it should protect their natural rights. People should be able to create their own government and it should protect their natural rights.

Where did Thomas Jefferson get the ideas of Self-Government and Natural Rights? An Enlightenment thinker named John Locke. An Enlightenment thinker named John Locke. Some wording came from a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine called “Common Sense” Some wording came from a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine called “Common Sense”

What are the FourSections of the Declaration of Independence? Use your friend (textbook) to come up with what each of these sections means or why it was important. (Page 154). You have 10 minutes. The Preamble The Preamble Natural Rights Natural Rights List of Grievances List of Grievances Resolution of Independence Resolution of Independence

What are the Four Sections of the Declaration of Independence? The Preamble The Preamble Explains why the Continental Congress is writing the Declaration (When in the course of human events…) Explains why the Continental Congress is writing the Declaration (When in the course of human events…) Natural Rights Natural Rights Declares that all people have natural, unalienable (can’t be surrendered) rights. Government has to protect these rights. Declares that all people have natural, unalienable (can’t be surrendered) rights. Government has to protect these rights.

What are the Four Sections of the Declaration of Independence? List of Grievances List of Grievances Colonist’s complaints against King George III. Include; heavy taxes, no representation in government (Parliament) Colonist’s complaints against King George III. Include; heavy taxes, no representation in government (Parliament) Resolution of Independence Resolution of Independence Actually declares the colonist “Free and Independent States” Actually declares the colonist “Free and Independent States”

Enlightenment Notes

The Enlightenment A movement of intellectuals beginning around 1650 that started in France and spread across Europe Tried to use the power of reason to reform society and advance knowledge. Promoted learning and opposed abuses in Church and gov’t. Philosophers included Benjamin Franklin & Isaac Newton

So Why are We Studying This? Big influence on Thomas Jefferson and the American Revolution Big influence on Thomas Jefferson and the American Revolution Influences can be seen in; Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, French Declaration of Rights and the Polish- Lithuanian Constitution. Influences can be seen in; Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, French Declaration of Rights and the Polish- Lithuanian Constitution.

All humans were selfish and wicked, therefore governments must keep order. All humans were selfish and wicked, therefore governments must keep order. People should hand over their rights to a strong ruler. This is called a social contract. People should hand over their rights to a strong ruler. This is called a social contract. Ruler need total power (an absolute monarchy). Ruler need total power (an absolute monarchy). This powerful government is what he called a leviathan (sea monster). He titled his book Leviathan (1651). This powerful government is what he called a leviathan (sea monster). He titled his book Leviathan (1651). Thomas Hobbes

John Locke People were reasonable (though selfish) and had the natural rights to life, liberty, and property. Purpose of government is to protect these natural rights. Government power comes from the consent of the people.

Voltaire Wrote more than 70 books of political essays, philosophy, and drama. Wrote more than 70 books of political essays, philosophy, and drama. Used satire against his enemies, especially the clergy. Used satire against his enemies, especially the clergy. Beliefs: Beliefs: Tolerance Tolerance Reason Reason Freedom of religious belief Freedom of religious belief Freedom of speech Freedom of speech “I do not agree with a word you say but will defend to the death your right to say it.” “I do not agree with a word you say but will defend to the death your right to say it.”

Montesquieu Believed Britain was the best-governed and most politically balanced country of his own day. Proposed the “separation of powers” between executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government. Proposed “checks and balances.”

Jean-Jacques Rousseau Passionately committed to individual freedom. Passionately committed to individual freedom. Believed man was born free and good but easily corrupted. Believed man was born free and good but easily corrupted. Believed the only good government was the “general will” or direct democracy. Believed the only good government was the “general will” or direct democracy.

Cesare Bonesana Beccaria Beliefs Beliefs Laws existed to preserve social order, not avenge crime. Laws existed to preserve social order, not avenge crime. Accused should receive speedy trials. Accused should receive speedy trials. Torture should never be used. Torture should never be used. Degree of punishment should match seriousness of crime. Degree of punishment should match seriousness of crime. Capital punishment (death penalty) should be abolished. Capital punishment (death penalty) should be abolished.

Mary Wollstonecraft Women should be equally educated along with men. Women should be equally educated along with men. Women should enter professions traditionally dominated by men like medicine and politics. Women should enter professions traditionally dominated by men like medicine and politics. Wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Woman Wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Woman

Mary Shelley Daughter of Mary Wollstonecraft. Mistress and later wife of poet Percy Bysshe Shelley. Author of Frankenstein in the summer of 1816, Later published in 1818.

Frivolous But Interesting Information

Climate and the writing of Frankenstein April 1815, Mount Tambora on the island of Sumbawa, Indonesia erupts. This was the world’s largest eruption in 1,600 years. (7 on the Volcanic Explosivity Index) April 1815, Mount Tambora on the island of Sumbawa, Indonesia erupts. This was the world’s largest eruption in 1,600 years. (7 on the Volcanic Explosivity Index)

Climate and the writing of Frankenstein (continued) Immense amounts of volcanic dust ejected into the atmosphere. Immense amounts of volcanic dust ejected into the atmosphere. In the summer of 1816 temperatures in northern Europe, Canada, and the northeastern United States were at record lows. Crop failures occurred when a May frost destroyed crops already planted. In the summer of 1816 temperatures in northern Europe, Canada, and the northeastern United States were at record lows. Crop failures occurred when a May frost destroyed crops already planted has since been called “The Year Without a Summer.” 1816 has since been called “The Year Without a Summer.”

Climate and the writing of Frankenstein (continued) Effects of this volcanic winter throughout the world Effects of this volcanic winter throughout the world Westward migration from the colder New England states in the United States in search of the richer soil of the upper Midwest Westward migration from the colder New England states in the United States in search of the richer soil of the upper Midwest Food shortages, rioting and looting of food stores in Europe which was also recovering from the effects of the Napoleonic Wars Food shortages, rioting and looting of food stores in Europe which was also recovering from the effects of the Napoleonic Wars Storms and abnormal rainfall in Europe causing massive flooding of rivers Storms and abnormal rainfall in Europe causing massive flooding of rivers Unusually low temperatures, including summer snowfall in China causing famine Unusually low temperatures, including summer snowfall in China causing famine Brown and red snow falling in Hungary and Italy from the presence of volcanic ash in the atmosphere Brown and red snow falling in Hungary and Italy from the presence of volcanic ash in the atmosphere

Climate and the writing of Frankenstein (continued) Inventions sparked by this volcanic winter Inventions sparked by this volcanic winter Velocipede (now called bicycles) invented because of a lack of grain to feed horses Velocipede (now called bicycles) invented because of a lack of grain to feed horses Chemist Justus von Liebig, who experience this famine as a child, researched and introduced chemical fertilizers into agriculture. Chemist Justus von Liebig, who experience this famine as a child, researched and introduced chemical fertilizers into agriculture.

Climate and the writing of Frankenstein (continued) The Shelley’s (Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin calling herself Mary Shelley though she is not yet married to Percy) spend the summer with Lord Byron at his villa by Lake Geneva in Switzerland. The weather being too cold to carry out normal summer activities, the group reside indoors staying up all night in intellectual discussions. They often sit around the fire reading German ghost stories. Illustration from the 1831 edition.

Climate and the writing of Frankenstein (continued) Lord Byron suggests that to entertain themselves indoors each of them write his or her own supernatural tale. Lord Byron suggests that to entertain themselves indoors each of them write his or her own supernatural tale. During this time Mary Godwin conceived of the idea for Frankenstein. During this time Mary Godwin conceived of the idea for Frankenstein. Therefore, being shut in due to the weather caused by a volcanic winter brought about the occasion of the writing of this famous novel. Therefore, being shut in due to the weather caused by a volcanic winter brought about the occasion of the writing of this famous novel. Boris Karloff as the Monster in 1931.