1. America’s Founding Ideals and Colonial Roots

2. An ideal is a principle or standard of perfection that we are always trying to achieve.

3. 1. All Americans are equal.
a. strongly disagree
b. mildly disagree
c. mildly agree
d. strongly agree

4. 2. Americans have all the freedoms they deserve.
a. strongly disagree
b. mildly disagree
c. mildly agree
d. strongly agree

5. 3. Some Americans have more rights than others.
a. strongly disagree
b. mildly disagree
c. mildly agree
d. strongly agree

6. 4. All Americans have the same opportunities to succeed in life.
a. strongly disagree
b. mildly disagree
c. mildly agree
d. strongly agree

7. 5. Wealthy people have a more powerful voice in American democracy than do others.
a. strongly disagree
b. mildly disagree
c. mildly agree
d. strongly agree

8. Quickwrite #1
Are we, as a nation, upholding those ideals today? Explain your response
Are there any ideals that you think should be added?

9. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.—That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. —Thomas Jefferson, Declaration of Independence, 1776

10. Americas Founding Ideals Notes
Glue the foldable on page 6 in your notebooks
You will read and complete the “Definition” and “Influence of Ideal in 1776 and Today” columns
On the folded tab, write out the phrase in the Declaration of Independence where this ideal is located

11. Gallery Walk You and your partner will be assigned a placard
Read the placard, examine the primary source and complete the correct section in your packet connecting what you see to an American ideal

12. 1. What four words describe the people in the painting?
2. These people are on a ship. Where might they be going? Why might they be traveling there?
3. The men are signing a document called the Mayflower Compact. What do you think the document might be about?
4. Five founding ideals of the United States are equality, rights, liberty, opportunity, and democracy. Which of these ideals seem to be represented in the painting? Support your answer with specific details from the painting.
5. What details in the painting seem to contradict the founding ideals? Explain your ideas.

14. “Rights of Englishmen”
The idea that people are entitled to certain rights and freedoms is rooted in English history
Magna Carta 1215-due process, no taxes without consent, laid the foundations for Parliament, monarch is not above the law
English Bill of Rights 1689-only Parliament had the power to tax, individual rights, no cruel and “unusual punishment”, trial by jury

15. Right to Self-Government
House of Burgesses VA legislature
Albany Plan of Union 1754-drafted by Ben Franklin. Proposed a confederation, or alliance, used Iroquois League and ancient Greece as models
Was rejected by Parliament as a threat to its authority

16. Freedom of Religion
Colonies all wanted right to self-govern but were divided by religion
Many colonists had escaped religious persecution in Europe, ex: Puritans in MA, Catholics in MD, Quakers in PA
Acts of Religious Toleration passed by proprietor in MD, no Christian could be in any way “troubled” because of practicing his/her religion
Did not apply to non-Christians, Jews suffered prejudice and could not vote or hold office

17. Right to Free Expression
Zenger Trial press should have the freedom to print the truth and this freedom is a right that should be protected
1734 John Peter Zenger was arrested for publishing “seditious libels” –rebellious statements that are false or damaging-about the Gov of NY
Judge told jury to consider only whether Zenger had published the remarks without regard to their truthfulness
Zenger’s attorney, Alexander Hamilton, argued that free people “have a right publicly to remonstrate- against the abuses of power in the strongest terms”
Zenger was found not guilty

18. Right to Think Freely Great Awakening 1730s- religious revival
Traveling preachers toured colonies attracting crowds
Encouraged people to question authority and think for themselves
As they became more freely speaking about religion, this would translate to politics as well

19. • In the rectangle, create an advertisement encouraging British settlers and indentured servants to come to the colonies. Use simple images and a few phrases to make your message clear. • On the left, write what an American Indian might be thinking about the colonists that your advertisement will bring to North America. • On the right, write what an enslaved African might be thinking about your advertisement.