1. Unit 1 U.S. History Foundations of Our Constitutional Republic
Celebrating Freedom

2. *Declaration of Independence (1776)
List of grievances (complaints) sent by colonies to King George III of England.
-Written by Thomas Jefferson. Stated that “all men were created equal” and that they had “unalienable” rights that could not be taken away (such as life, liberty, pursuit of happiness).
-Government’s legitimate power can only come from the consent of the governed.
-Delegates from each of the 13 colonies officially adopted it July 4, 1776.

3. Ideas Behind the Revolution
John Locke – English philosopher. Believed people had natural rights to life, liberty, and property. If govnt violates natural rights, people should overthrow the govnt. Influenced ideas in Dec. of Independence.
Thomas Paine – wrote Common Sense, a pamphlet attacking King George III. Argued independence would allow colonists to create a better society with equal social & economic opportunity for all.
Common Sense widely read & influential in American colonies.

4. Articles of Confederation (1781-1787)
First form of government for the United States.
State governments had more power than the national government.
National government very weak.
Did not have the power to tax
No executive branch (President) to enforce laws
No judicial branch (Supreme Court) to settle legal disputes
All 13 states had to agree to amend (change) Articles.
Constitution (signed in 1787)
Delegates from each state met to amend the Articles of Confederation, but instead created a new document.
New government based on Federalism – power is divided between state and national governments.
Separation of Powers – checks and balances prevented any one of the three branches of government (executive, judicial, and legislative) from gaining too much power.
It is a “living” document that can meet the changing needs of Americans.

5. Bill of Rights added to Constitution
Bill of Rights added to Constitution. First ten amendments spelled out personal liberties guaranteed to all citizens.
1st Amendment: guarantees citizens rights to freedom of
religion, assembly, press, petition & speech. RAPPS!
2nd & 3rd Amendments state that the govt. can not deny citizens the right to bear arms and private homes do not have to take in troops during peacetime.
4th Amendment: prevents the search of citizens’ homes without proper warrants.
5th – 8th Amendments: guarantee fair treatment for individuals accused of crimes.
9th & 10th Amendments: place limits on the powers of the federal government.
These liberties and freedoms applied to white men. There was no protection for Native Americans, slaves, or free blacks. Women were not mentioned.
By 1791, remaining states ratified (approved) the Constitution a.k.a. “The Supreme Law of the Land”
George Washington made first President of U.S.

6. Constitutional Issues:
Two main views on the Constitution:
Strict Construction: The Constitution is “AS IS." Allows for limited change. Using The Constitution in the literal sense. Thomas Jefferson believed if the Constitution does not say the Government CAN, then it CAN’T!
2. Judicial Interpretation: Also known as Loose Construction. Using The Constitution in this way would allow for government to “bend the rules” to fit their circumstance. Allows for the Constitution to change with the times. Alexander Hamilton believed if the Constitution does not say the Government CAN’T, then it CAN!
Thomas Jefferson
Alexander Hamilton

7. John Hancock
Founding Father whose faith strongly shaped his view of the world and his actions. A life-long member of the Brattle Street (Congregationalist) Church in Boston, Hancock frequently used biblical arguments to justify America’s revolt against England.
First to sign Declaration of Independence
Best remembered for his large, flamboyant signature on the Declaration of Independence (“John Hancock” is synonymous with “signature”)
First President of the Continental Congress
Helped finance the American Revolution (was one of Massachusetts’ wealthiest merchants)
Led Massachusetts convention to ratify the U.S. Constitution
Elected the state’s first governor 7

8. John Jay
Outspoken, deeply religious Founding Father from New York. His contributions played an important role in our early republic.
President of the Continental Congress from 1778 to 1779
Served as an ambassador to Spain and France during American Revolution
First Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court
Authored the Federalist Papers - (along with James Madison and Alexander Hamilton) a series of essays published throughout the United States to rally support for ratification (passage) of the Constitution.
He clearly connected his Protestant beliefs to the moral good of the new United States and openly advocated for a "Christian nation." 8

9. Dr. Benjamin Rush
Prominent Founding Father, physician, educator, and an advocate for Christianity in public life and education.
Fought for the Patriot cause & an active member of the Sons of Liberty
Signer of the Declaration of Independence
Member of the Convention of Pennsylvania - adopted the Constitution
Doctor considered to be the “father of American medicine”
Advocated that the government provide a free public education for all with an emphasis on Christian morals (use Bible as a textbook!) 9

10. John Witherspoon
Founding Father from New Jersey, and only active clergyman & college president to sign the Declaration of Independence.
Presbyterian minister from Scotland
Came to the U.S. in 1768 to become president of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University)
Wrote several essays in support of Independence from Great Britain
Elected member of Continental Congress
Signer of the Declaration of Independence 10

11. Charles Carroll
Founding Father from Maryland, Carroll’s two main passions in life were the American Revolution and his Faith.
Was the only Catholic to sign the Declaration of Independence
Elected member of Continental Congress
Strongly believed that “Without morals a republic cannot subsist any length of time” 11

12. John Peter Muhlenberg
Founding Father famous for his patriotism, commitment to winning the war for independence from Britain, and his deeply held religious convictions.
Resigned position as a Lutheran minister at beginning of American Revolution to serve in Continental Army
Commissioned brigadier general of the Continental Army in 1777
Led army during Battle of Yorktown
After Constitution was signed, served as a member of Congress from Pennsylvania 12

13. Jonathan Trumball
Founding Father who cherished the Puritan values of hard work, loyalty, and faith.
Very religious – initially studied to become a preacher before becoming a merchant and politician
As Governor of the colony of Connecticut ( ), he was the only colonial governor to support the American Revolution
Later, served as Governor of Connecticut ( ). Only person to be governor of both a colony and state
Connecticut supplied about 60% of the manpower, food, clothing, shoes, munitions for the Continental Army
Became a close confidant of General George Washington 13

14. Alexis de Tocqueville Young French aristocrat & social scientist.
Traveled throughout the United States in
the 1830s to better understand the growing
ideas of liberty & equality in our young nation.
Published Democracy in America in 1835,
and identified 5 unique “American” values that were crucial to the success of our constitutional republic.
Liberty – freedom
Egalitarianism – promotion of the belief in the equality of all people politically, socially, & economically
Individualism – belief in the rights & dignity of each individual, also strong sense of self-reliance
Populism – grass-roots democracy, working-class activism
Laissez-faire – belief that the government should intervene as little as possible in economic affairs

15. The U.S. has two mottos: E Pluribus Unum – “Out of Many, One”
-The U.S. is a “melting pot” of people,
but we are all one nationality.
We are AMERICANS!
2. In God We Trust –
- Is a line from
The Star
Spangled Banner.
- Dates back to the
nation’s early documents.
- The nation is trusting
something bigger than itself.

16. Discussion Questions:
In what ways can average Americans participate in our democracy?
How can you help to fulfill the ideals of our founding documents and build a “more perfect union”?