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Origins of American Government

Origins of American Government Review

SS.7.C.1.1

Recognize how Enlightenment ideas including Montesquieu’s view of Separation of Power and John Locke’s theories related to natural law and how Locke’s Social Contract influenced the Founding Fathers.

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Enlightenment Philosophers:

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  • John Locke – Developed the theory of Natural Law, Natural Rights, rights people are born with, a government can’t take away. They
    are Life, Liberty, and Property. He influenced the declaration of rights in the Declaration of Independence.

  • Montesquieu – Talked about Separation of Powers, dividing the government power among the legislative, executive, & Judicial branches. His ideas influenced the Constitution of the U.S., specifically Articles I, II, and III

 

 

SS.7.C.1.2

trace the impact of the Magna Carta, English Bill of Rights, Mayflower Compact, and Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” had on the colonists’ view of government.

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Important documents that impacted the colonists’ view of government

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  • Magna Carta: A document that King John was forced to sign in 1215, limiting the king’s power. It forbade him from placing certain taxes on the nobles without their consent and established trial by jury of peers, Other ideas: Rule of law and limited government. It set forth major legal ideas like the laws apply to everyone including the rulers.

  • English Bill of Rights: Protected the civil liberties of citizens and Parliament: Right to bear arms, free elections, no cruel and unusual punishment.

  • Mayflower Compact: The first agreement for self-government in America. It brought the idea of laws being created for the good of the people. It was signed on board of the Mayflower and set up a government for Plymouth colony. Main ideas: Self-government and self-rule, social contract, local government.

  • Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense”: Written to persuade colonist to split with England. Thomas advocated for independence, government with three branches, representative government with an elected leader.​

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SS.7.C.1.3

Describe how English policies and responses to colonial concerns led to the writing of the Declaration of Independence

 

Colonial concerns leading to the writing of the Declaration of Independence.

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  • Colonists felt the English government should treat them as equal citizens

  • Laws and taxes were placed on the colonists’ without their consent 

  • Colonists’ began to organize themselves in opposition to the unfair treatment

  • Discontent with foreign rule from Great Britain, want self-government, to gain self-liberties. no taxation without representation

  • Colonists protested against King George abusive taxation by stating: “No taxation without representation

  • Stamp Act: Act on paper/ playing cards

  • Townshend Acts: Tax on paint, cloth, glass etc.

  • Boston Massacre: First deaths of revolution, people thought colonist’ protesters were murdered and was used as propaganda against the British.

  • Tea Act: Forced the colonists’ to buy English tea from the British Tea Company- Led to Boston Tea Party

  • Intolerable Acts- Closed Boston Harbor, series of acts that angered the colonists and they form Committees of Corresponding to attack debt collectors

  • Quartering Act- Colonists must house soldiers (led to 3rd amendment)

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It all led to the writing of the:

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Declaration of Independence: 1776, signed on the 4th of July by the Second Continental Congress. It dissolved (ended) the colonists’ dependence and ties with Great Britain. Declared independence from Great Britain

 

 

SS.7.C.1.4

Analyze the ideas (natural rights, role of government) and complaints set forth in the Declaration of Independence.

 

Parts of the Declaration of Independence

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  • 1st Part- Preamble – It explains why the Continental Congress drew up the Declaration of Independence

  • 2nd Part – Declaration of Natural Rights – The second part, lists the natural rights. It explains that in a republic, purpose of government is to protect the natural rights of its citizens

  • 3rd Part- List of Grievances – Lists the colonists’ complaints against the British government. Notice that King George III is singled out for blame.

  • 4th Part – Resolution of Independence by the United States- Declares that the colonists’ are “Free and Independent States” with full power to make war, to form alliances, and to trade with other countries.

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