Focus Questions What is a revolution? Are people justified in choosing revolution as a solution to political and social problems? What social and economic situations exist in America today and could they lead to a revolution? Do you think a revolution would be likely in the United States? Why or Why not? How does our system of government prevent the need for a revolution?

Enlightenment Philosophers Influences of the Declaration I. Enlightenment Ideals A. Historical Documents II. French Enlightenment Philosophes A. Rousseau B. Voltaire C. Physiocrats III. English/Scottish Enlightenment Philosophes A. John Locke B. Adam Smith

I. Enlightenment Ideals Enlightenment Ideals – Equality, Questioning Tradition, Self-Rule, Freedoms Deism – Natural law and reason God created the world and let things happen naturally without interference Separation of Church and State Laissez-Faire – “Let them do as they please” Rationalism – reason is the source of knowledge (using your mind to come to a conclusion that makes sense)

I. Enlightenment Ideals Reasons for enlightenment thinking – Influenced by the Scientific Revolution – questioning accepted beliefs Wanted to find a way to improve society (Reason, Natural Law, Hope, Progress)

A. Historical Documents Documents influencing the Declaration – Magna Carta English Bill of Rights Colonial American Documents – Virginia Constitution, Virginia Declaration of Rights Magna Carta considered a bill of rights for medieval England establishing that the King was not above the law very influential on the development of similar bills of rights, such as the first 10 Amendments to the United States Constitution right to habeas corpus, a clause protecting the freedom of the church, and other clauses which spelled out the rules for due process of law

Jean-Jacques Rousseau French Philosopher A. Rousseau Jean-Jacques Rousseau French Philosopher Works: The Social Contract Teachings: Through a contract society agrees to be governed Government receives power from the people General-will represents what is best for everyone, not just some (Majority Rules) Women should be taught to be good mothers and wives Believed people were naturally good but evils of socieity especially unequal distribution of property corrupted them Felt individual desires should be subordinate to the community good -unlike others of the time

Voltaire Author/French Philosopher B. Voltaire Voltaire Author/French Philosopher Greatest philosopher of Enlightenment Works: Pamphlets, letters, essays, novels Led to fame and wealth Teachings: Criticized Christianity (Catholicism) Religious toleration “All men are brothers under God” Targeted corrupt officials and idle aristocrats Detested slave trade and deplored religious prejudice Was imprisoned and forced into exile Fought for freedom of speech fought for reforms such as freedom of religion and the right to a fair trial.

French group of economists Teachings: E. Physiocrats Physiocrats French group of economists Teachings: Society benefits when people are allowed to do what they want economically (businesses charge own prices, people buy what they want) Government should stay out of economic matters Laissez Faire: allowing business to operate with little or no govt. interference François Quesnay

Essay Concerning Human Understanding Teachings: A. John Locke John Locke English Philosopher Works: Essay Concerning Human Understanding Teachings: People are born with a blank mind “Tabula Rasa” People are shaped by their experiences, environment change environment --- change society People were basically reasonable and moral Natural Rights: rights all humans had from birth…life, liberty, property Argued: People created govt. to protect their natural rights and best govt. had limited power and accepted by all citizens. Rejected Absolute Monarchy If govt. fails to protect peoples rights, people had right to overthrow govt.

Adam Smith Scottish Economist/Philosopher B. Adam Smith Adam Smith Scottish Economist/Philosopher Works: The Wealth of Nations Teachings: State should not interfere in economic matters Three Roles of Government: 1. Protect society from invasion (Army) 2. Defend citizens from injustice (Police) 3. Keep up public works (Roads, Canals, things private individuals can’t afford) Free market should regulate business activity Invinted: Supply and demand idea

BIRTH OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC Thomas Paine : author Common Sense Navigation Acts: Britain regulated trade in colonies Why Problems started: 7 years war, French & Indian war drained England treasury. -Taxes increased -Strictly enforcing Navigation Acts

EARLY FIGHTS Boston Massacre: British soldiers shoot into crowd of colonist for throwing snowballs at them Boston Tea Party: to protest tax on tea 1st Continental Congress: Philadelphia -to draw up grievances and send letter to Parliament -Set up 1st continental army –George Washington 2nd Continental Congress: -declared independence -Thomas Jefferson –main author of Declaration of Indp -Locke ideas main ones used Popular Sovereignty

AMERICAN REVOLUTION Britain : had soldiers in colonies -offered freedom to slaves who fought colonist -Loyalist Colonist: knew the land - fighting for personal reasons -Guerilla tactics Turning Point: Battle of Saratoga (colonist win) -persuaded France to help colonist (hated England) -supplied, soldiers, war ships and supplies Treaty of Paris: British defeated at Yorktown forced to surrender - 2yrs later signed treaty to end war - recognized independence -US land all the way to the Mississippi River

CONSTITUTION Articles Of Confederation: to weak Federal Republic: power divided between Federal (national) govt and states Separate branches: Executive Judicial Legislative Bill of Rights: 1st 10 amendments to constitution

“In general, the art of government consists in taking as much money as possible from one class of citizens to give to the other.” Dictionnaire Philosophique, 1764 Do you agree with this statement? Why or Why not? What do you believe the role of government should be? Give at least THREE examples. Why do you think the above listed items are the role of government? Do you believe there should be more government control in your life or less? Give an example of why more government control is beneficial. Give an example of why less government control is beneficial.