Vocabulary:

Ideological Origins: This refers to the ideas behind the American Revolution

Video Clip:

This is a clip that shows the path toward declaring independence!
Other Links:
Do you like music? They did back then, too. Click here to go to a page where you can listen to music from the Revolutionary War!

 

Vocabulary:
Revolutionary Generation: refers to the people who were in the American Colonies between 1763 and 1781

Natural Rights: the notion that all people have rights because they are born with them, and they apply to ALL people

Video Clip:

Principles of the Declaration of Independence

More Notes:
The belief in Europe during the Age of Exploration and Colonization was that the Kings were next to God, and it was expected to simply do what they were told. However, this came into question as people began to wonder, what does our government owe us in return for this obedience?

Well, it seemed to many that having a government, even a King, was alright if that government protected the people's rights and property. But what if the government did NOT protect those rights?

 Other Links:
Go to the Founding Fathers web page to learn more about these great men!

 

Vocabulary:

Enlightenment: a period of time in the 17th and 18th centuries that saw a renewed interest in science and reason

Video Clip:

Oliver Cromwell and John Locke

More Notes:
Understand here, that enlightenment was going on during the Colonial Age. America had its share of enlightenment thinkers, including Ben Franklin who was the most recognized American thinker in Europe.

Even though many of our ideas are based on John Locke, who was not American, he was not even around when Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence!

Other Links:
This link reviews the key themes and ideas of the Age of Enlightenment!

Vocabulary:
social contract: this is the agreement between the people and the government- there is an exchange- people follow the rules in return for protection

ordered liberty: a set of laws for the people to follow which do not infringe on their natural rights- basically, people are not completely free, but have some freedoms

limited government: the idea that the government is accountable to the people and is not "all powerful"

 

Other Links:
Take a closer look at John Locke.
More Notes:
John Locke was not the ONLY social contract theorist. However, we associate him with the addition of the concept of natural rights. Doesn't "life, liberty and property" sound allot like "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness"? Jefferson never claimed that the Declaration of Independence was full of his own ideas... He simply placed them in the context that these are the ideas that are believed in by the people of the Americas.

Vocabulary:
sovereignty: refers to the right of the government to rule the people-- sort of like legitimacy

radical: thought that advocates fundamental (or basic) change in the order of things

 

Other Links:
This site examines the history and development of the Social Contract Theory - the basis of our government today.
More Notes:
Like any contract, if it is broken there is a problem. Suppose people do not obey the law which breaks the contract... They would be arrested and charged with a crime and punished. By the same rules, if the government does not protect the people, their property or their rights, this also violates the contract. Punishment for the government would include an alternate government (change) or abolishment of the government!

Vocabulary:
pamphlet: this would be a published essay, usually paperback and in a "smaller" form, that could be read easily

Video Clips:

Thomas Paine

Common Sense
More Notes:
Thomas Paine was NOT born in the American colonies, he was born in England. His role was more of an agitator- many who read his pamphlet were inspired to become patriots. Calling his work "common sense" allowed people to think these ideas truly were natural. Paine completely blasted the King- accusing him basically of all of the problems in the colonies. Paine challenged the colonists to take up the fight and he attacked anyone who would not turn against the King, saying that they "had the hearts of cowards".

Other Links:
Click here to learn more about Thomas Paine, and you can even read excerpts from his writings!

More Notes:
Jefferson is recognized as the "author" of the Declaration of Independence. However, he was assisted by others on the committee which included Roger Sherman, William Livingston, John Adams and Ben Franklin. The picture above shows the men discussing an early draft of the document!

Jefferson borrowed heavily from John Locke. As mentioned earlier, the ideas of the Social Contract theory and Natural Rights came from Locke. Again, Jefferson never claimed these as his own ideas, but rather the beliefs of the Americans!

Jefferson also borrowed heavily from Thomas Paine. If you read the full text of the Declaration of Independence, you will find that the bulk of the work actually lists the grievances (complaints) against the King! Jefferson seems to have followed the same complaints that were noted in "Common Sense".

Since America's Declaration of Independence, many other nations have used our document as a model as they attempted to break from their mother countries.

Video Clip:

Jefferson Writes the Declaration
Other Links:
Click here and go to one of the most comprehensive sites dedicated to the Declaration of Independence. It has all kinds of links to learn about the men who signed it, and you can even compare the original draft to the final copy!

Vocabulary:
perceived: refers to what is believed, how someone "sees something" and interprets it

 

Other Links:
Drafting the Declaration of Independence was no easy task by itself. Click here to learn more about the difficult process!
More Notes:
The "perceived unfairness" comes in the comparison of the two points of view- colonists and the British. In many instances, the British felt that they were justified by their actions which the colonists felt were intolerable. By the same token, the British were appalled by some behaviors of the colonists, who felt that they did nothing wrong. Neither side seemed willing to listen to the other, and that's when things turn violent.

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