1. Philosophy of the Revolution

2. Ideology Religious (Puritanism & Calvinism)
Higher law for civil authority
When laws contradict God’s laws, DON’T obey

3. Ideology Radical British philosophy
Government is to protect man from each other
Hobbs- government is created to correct the wrongdoings of the state
Government is run by corruptible men; must be protected from its members
British system: aristocracy, monarchy, common men

4. Colonial Mindset
More faithful to the constitution then was the English government
Problems with the English Constitution
Colonial charters and constitutions were written documents
English POV: these documents were flexible & elastic
American POV: fixed definitive bodies of principals

5. John Locke
Men have “natural rights”- limit the power of the government
Government created to protect these rights
Social contract
Citizens give up power in return for protection
Government agrees to use its power to protect the “natural rights”

6. Taxation Fundamental right Power to take away property
Government derive its powers from the consent… THUS England CANNOT tax the colonists without representation
If this is done, the people have the right to open a new contract… AKA a new government
REVOLUTION IS COMING!!!

7. Virtual vs. Direct Representation
Virtual- Parliament represents the interests of the empire as a whole
Direct- each representative represents the interest of a group of people from a particular area
Example: colonial assemblies & religious congregations
Colonists DO NOT want to be represented in Parliament

8. Nature of Sovereignty
England believed in one unitary system where sovereignty could NOT be divided
Colonists saw themselves as divided sovereignty (federalism)
Parliament legislates the empire; colonial assemblies legislate the colonies
Succumb to British rule or… REBEL
Colonists are polarized… NO COMPROMISE

9. Sides *American Revolution was a minority revolution*
Patriots (supporters for independence)
Merchants affected negatively by the taxes
Planters
Laborers, tradesmen, small farmers who wanted less restriction
Antagonists of British rule

10. Sides Loyalists- British supporters British office holders
Merchants who were not as affected by the tax
Lawyers who had British clients
Anglican ministers
Natives and slaves
Recent British immigrants

11. Sides
1/3 Patriots
1/5-1/4 loyalists
2/5-3/5 WHO CARES…

12. Was the American Revolution preventable???
The American Revolution was fought not to gain freedom, but to conform it
Was the American Revolution preventable???