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22.4:The American Revolution
By the end of class you will be able to explain how
the enlightenment in Europe gave way to the
American Revolution!
Changing Idea: Colonial Attachment to
Britain
Old Idea:
• American colonists
considered
themselves to be
subjects of the
British king
New Idea:
• After a long train of
perceived abuses by
the king of England,
the colonists
asserted their right
to declare
independence
The Influence of the Enlightenment
• Declaration of Independence:
• Written by Thomas Jefferson
• Based on ideas of John Locke
• Argument for natural rights: “All men are
created equal…with certain unalienable
rights…life, liberty and the pursuit of
happiness”
• People have the right to rebel against an
unjust ruler: “whenever any form of
Government becomes destructive…it is the
Right of the People to alter or to abolish it…”
American Revolutionary War
1776 – 1781 (Win our rights of freedom)
• British Colonists vs. Britain
• Why were the colonists successful?
• Colonist were highly motivated
• Overconfident British Generals made
mistakes
• Costly war for Britain…fighting 3,000 miles
away.
• France helped the colonist sending 7,800
French soldiers to help out
The Enlightenment and the CONSTITUTION
Enlightenment thinker and
ideas:
LOCKE:
government’s power
comes from consent of people
How it is used in the U.S.
Constitution
Begins with “we the people of the
United States,” to establish legitimacy;
creates representative government
The Enlightenment and the CONSTITUTION
Enlightenment thinker and
ideas:
How it is used in the U.S.
Constitution
LOCKE:
government’s power
comes from consent of people
Begins with “we the people of the
United States,” to establish legitimacy;
creates representative government
MONTESQUIEU:
Power divided among three branches of
government, checks and balances
separation of powers
The Enlightenment and the CONSTITUTION
Enlightenment thinker and
ideas:
How it is used in the U.S.
Constitution
LOCKE:
government’s power
comes from consent of people
Begins with “we the people of the
United States,” to establish legitimacy;
creates representative government
MONTESQUIEU:
Power divided among three branches of
government, checks and balances
ROUSSEAU:
Public Election of President and
Congress
separation of powers
Democracy
Direct
The Enlightenment and the CONSTITUTION
Enlightenment thinker and
ideas:
How it is used in the U.S.
Constitution
LOCKE:
government’s power
comes from consent of people
Begins with “we the people of the
United States,” to establish legitimacy;
creates representative government
MONTESQUIEU:
Power divided among three branches of
government, checks and balances
ROUSSEAU:
Public Election of President and
Congress
separation of powers
Direct
Democracy
VOLTAIRE:
Free speech,
religious tolerance
U.S. Bill of Rights provides for freedom
of speech and religion
The Enlightenment and the CONSTITUTION
Enlightenment thinker and
ideas:
How it is used in the U.S.
Constitution
LOCKE:
government’s power
comes from consent of people
Begins with “we the people of the
United States,” to establish legitimacy;
creates representative government
MONTESQUIEU:
Power divided among three branches of
government, checks and balances
ROUSSEAU:
Public Election of President and
Congress
separation of powers
Direct
Democracy
VOLTAIRE:
U.S. Bill of Rights provides for freedom
of speech and religion
BECCARIA:
U.S. Bill of Rights protects rights of
accused and prohibits cruel and unusual
punishment
Free speech,
religious tolerance
Americans Create a Republic
•
New government based on:
1. Checks and balances (three separate parts of
government, checking actions of the others)
2. Federal System (Power divided between
national and state governments)
3. Bill of Rights (first ten amendments to the
constitution; basic legal rights freedom of
speech, press, assembly, etc.)
*The Constitution and the Bill of Rights both
put enlightenment ideas into practice!
• Do you think the American Revolution
would have happened if there had not
been an age of Enlightenment? Why or
why not? Explain your answer in at
least 3-5 complete sentences please!