ROOTS OF AMERICAN DEMOCRACY

Chapter 2

What started it all?????

The Enlightenment Was a cultural movement that used science and reason to influence all aspects of life.Got People thinking about ………

The Enlightenment

Thinkers:1. John Locke

Believed all people were born: free, equal, and independent

Created: Natural Rights: Life / Liberty / Property Social Contracts: is an agreement among the people in a society

2. Baron de Montesquieu Believed a government should be divided into branches & each branch should have a different job and be equal to the others

The Enlightenment hit England

1. The Magna-Carta Limit the Kings power and gave rights to the Nobles

Eventually all Citizens ………..

2. The Glorious Revolution Parliament removed King James II

Parliament becomes stronger than king / queen

3. English Bill of Rights Guaranteed:

Free elections / fair trials / no cruel punishment

The English Colonies

Plymouth: Started by: The Pilgrims Created: The Mayflower Compact

Written plan for government 1st Democracy in America

Jamestown: Started by: Virginia Company Created: The House of

Burgesses First Representative Assembly

(Legislature)

Mercantilism A nations power depends on its

wealth! Country must become self-sufficient

Move to Independence

1. Proclamation of 1763 – ended the French and Indian War Created war dept in England

2. Stamp Act – taxation of the use of stamps on the colonists3. Quartering Act – required colonists to house British troops4. Declaratory Act – taxed the colonists for everything5. Townshend Act – Required colonists to carry British receipt on

purchasesBoston Massacre – “No taxation without representation”6. Tea Act – Only allowed colonists to buy one brand of tea

East Indian TeaBoston Tea Party – colonists destroyed 342 chests of tea7. Intolerable Act – Restricted colonists civil rights

Thomas Paine Writes:

Common Sense”

Argues:1. It is simple common sense to stop

following the “Royal Brute”2. Wants complete independence

Unifies the Colonists

Colonists Unify 1st Continental Congress

Founding fathers wanted to establish a political body to represent American interests in the colonies/challenge the British

Formed a Militia American Revolution Begins

English “loyalists” vs. Colonists “Patriots” First Battle – Lexington & Concord

2nd Continental Congress Founding fathers decided to part ways with

the British Wrote the Declaration of Independence

Colonists vs. British

Colonists British Advantages• Fought @ home• Great decision making by generals • Reason to fight: FREEDOM• French Alliance provided: Money Navy Troops• Time: the longer the war dragged on the more likely the British would give up• Underdog

Advantages•Well trained Army/Navy•Wealthy Nation •Strong Government

Disadvantages:• No/Untrained Solders• No/Weak government • Shortage of food & ammunition

Disadvantages• Fought far away from home• Hostile territory• Solders didn’t want to fight• No support from England

The Purpose of Government

1. Protect the rights of the people

2. Based on the consent of the governed

3. On have the power that the people give it