THE SOLs The ideas of John Locke Common

THE SOL’s: The ideas of John Locke & “Common Sense” shaped the Declaration of Independence Unifying ideas for American democracy Differences between colonists separating from Britain Reasons the colonies won the Revolutionary War

� On the front page of your packet, put these in order of importance, according to you: � Happiness � Owning a House/Car � Health � Money � Freedom � Family � Religion

� What does it mean to “enlighten”? � The Enlightenment Period, which began in Europe (1600 s-1700 s), saw the development of new ideas about the rights of people and their relationship with their ruler/leader � John Locke: Enlightenment philosopher influenced the American belief in selfgovernment

� All people are free, equal, and have “natural rights” � Natural rights: life, liberty & property

� All power resides in the people, and they enter into a “social contract” with the govt to protect their rights � In return, the people obey the laws of their govt, creating a “ordered liberty” � Govt powers are limited to what the people allow it to have � If govt becomes a threat to people’s rights, the people can overthrow it

� These are radical thoughts – why? � It challenged old practice of dictatorial rule by kings, emperors, and tribal chiefs � So, does Locke’s beliefs reflect what we have in America TODAY? ?

� Thomas Paine was an English immigrant in America who produced a pamphlet known as Common Sense � What did it say? � It challenged the rule of the King of England over the American colonists � It was read by many colonists (mid 1700 s), and contributed to a growing sentiment for independence from Britain

� The ideas of Locke & Paine influenced the writings of the Declaration of Independence � Who stole the ideas? � Thomas Jefferson (VA) � Quotes: � “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all mean 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” � “That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute a new Government…” � Have you heard this before? ?

� The key principles of the Declaration of Independence increased political, social & economic participation in America for years to come � Creates equality, liberty & pursuit of happiness in this country

� The rivalry in North America between the British & French lead to the French & Indian War – the French were driven out of Canada and lands west of the Appalachian Mountains

� Effects of the French & Indian War: � Britain took several actions that angered the American colonies that would start the American Revolution � These are: � 1. Proclamation of 1763: nobody could settle west of the Appalachian Mts. � 2. Stamp Act, Tea Act, Sugar Act: new taxes to help pay for war costs

� Resistance to British rule in the colonies mounted, leading to war: � 1. The Boston Tea Party (1773)– colonists dumped a shipment of tea into the harbor in protest of the Tea Act � “No taxation without representation!” �Some were dressed as Indians for disguise

� 2. The First Continental Congress was called, all colonies participated except Georgia �This one is the 1 st time the colonies acted together as

� 3. Boston Massacre – British troops fired on anti-British demonstrators after they threw rocks and snowballs

� 4. War began when the “Minutemen” of Massachusetts fought a brief skirmish with the British troops at Lexington & Concord

� The colonists were divided into 3 main groups during the Revolution: � 1. Patriots: �Wanted complete independence from Britain �Inspired by Locke & Paine �Led by the words of Patrick Henry (VA) – “give me liberty, or give me death!” �Provided the troops for the American army, led by George Washington (VA)

� 2. Loyalists (Tories): �Remained loyal to Britain bc of culture and economic ties �Believed that taxing the colonists was justified to pay British troops for protecting Americans

� 3. Neutrals: �Many colonists who tried to stay uninvolved in the war

� Factors leading to colonial victory: � Diplomatic: � 1. Benjamin Franklin negotiated a Treaty of Alliance with France � 2. The war was not popular in Britain � Military: � 1. George Washington – general of the American army �Great military skills and leadership

� Americans benefited from the help of the French army & navy at the Battle of Yorktown, where the war ended with an American victory

� Battle of Yorktown (1781)

� British General Lord Cornwallis surrenders to George Washington