Ch 2 :Focus (Secs 3-4-5)

1. What was the “real revolution” of the American Revolution?

2. British Colonies to a Federal Republic- How did that

happen?

Revolution

• From Latin revolvere = “to revolve”• A sudden, radical , or complete change.• Forcible overthrow of a government or social

order for a new system.• A fundamental change in way of thinking

about or visualizing something.

What was the “Real Revolution”?

“The Revolution was effected before the War commenced. The Revolution was in

the minds and hearts of the peoples, opinions, sentiments, and affections of the

people, was the real American Revolution.”

–John Adams, 1818

What caused the evolution from British colonies to United States?

Charter / Proprietary / Royal British Colonies Declaration of Independence Independent States Articles of Confederation Confederation Constitution U.S. Federal Republic

3 types of Colonies

• 1. Charter- -Founded by groups seeking escape from Religious persecution.-Self- governing, created first representative legislatures.-Allowed a wide scope of freedom from Britain.-Little communication & coordination with British Parliament.

2. Proprietary Colonies

• Organized by a proprietor, to whom the King had made a grant of land. (Like a landlord)

• Land could be settled and governed as the proprietor chose.

• Governor was appointed by the proprietor, the legislatures were representative in form, but appeals of decisions went to the king.

• Proprietor was extremely loyal to the King!• Ex: William Penn (Pennsylvania) Lord Baltimore (Maryland – haven for Catholics)

3. Royal Colonies

• Subject to the direct control of the crown/ parliament.

• By 1776 all but Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, & Connecticut were royal colonies.

• Charter colonies had their charters revoked when the King was unhappy with their government actions.

• King replaced their governors and suspended their legislative bodies.

• Often martial law was imposed. (British troops sent in to maintain order)

Discussion Question #1

A. Where did the Revolution begin?Charter colonies? Proprietary colonies? Royal colonies? Why????B. Which type of colony was more likely to remain loyal to the King?

Why?

The Declaration of IndependenceAdopted by the 1st Continental Congress; Committee of 5

(Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson)

• Written by Thomas Jefferson.• Jefferson included a reference to slavery in original

declaration; it was omitted before the declaration was adopted.

• Written like a lawyer’s brief: 1. The law 3. evidence / arguments 2. The question 4. conclusion / position

An indictment lists the formal charges or “crimes”

• According to the Declaration of Independence, what crimes did the King commit?

• Discussion Question #2:• List 3 “crimes” committed by the King.• Why did Jefferson blame the King and not

Parliament?

Declaration of IndependenceQuestion Jefferson

Dec. of IndependenceLocke2nd Treatise of Govt. pg 784

1. Natural/Unalienable rights What are they? Who / where do they come from?2. Why are governments formed? What is the purpose of govt.?

3. When do people have the right to change or do away with the govt?

Major Themes of the Declaration of Independence

1. “We hold these truths to be self-evident.”2. “All men are create equal”3. “…endowed by their Creator with certain

unalienable rights Life, liberty and the pursuit of

happiness”4. “To secure rights”5. “Consent of the governed”6. Whenever any form of gov’t is

destructive of the security of natural rights.

7. Prudence: Long-established gov’t shouldn’t be overthrown for “light & transient causes”

Experience: Men are more disposed to suffer while evils are sufferable than to right themselves

1. Self evident truths2. Human Equality3. Natural Rights

4. Purpose of Gov’t5. Measure of Justice6. Right of Revolution7. Limits to the right of revolution

Locke’s Ideas

1. Natural law / rights=-State of perfect freedom, governed by the laws of nature.-“free, equal & independent”2. Why Govt?-the preservation of their property.-form communities to be safe and protect property.-ruled by the majority3. Trade-off?-Freedom from living in fear for preservation of their “lives, liberties and estates (property).

Discussion Question #3

Find 3 examples- and-Compare what Jefferson says with what Locke says -For ex- Jefferson says, “All men are created equal” & Locke says…….“….By nature, all men are free, equal and independent.”

Jefferson’s changes to Locke’s ideas

1. Natural law = individual rights come from state of equality (from God or nature), not through an agreement with the King. (Magna Carta)

2. Inalienable rights = life, liberty & the pursuit of happiness, not, life, liberty & (estates)property.

3. Consent of the governed= right of revolution 4. Revolution is a right and an obligation!

The “Critical Period”

• From Dec of Ind to Constitution.• First national government= The 2nd continental

congress. 1. established the first official national

government, 2. instructed the states to abolish charters and

write constitutions. 3. conducted the war for independence. 4. Established the “Articles of Confederation”

Why were the Articles of Confederation “bad”?

• Video clip: By Crash Course US History The Constitution, the Articles and FederalismStop at 4:30

The Articles of ConfederationVideo Notes

1. The 1st United States government was_____.2. Problem with the Articles= not a framework for govt. but a

____________.Problems with the Articles: 3. Structure:4. Making decisions:5. Powers:6. Passing amendments:

7. Why were the articles “deliberately weak”?8. Why was the govt under the Articles a “complete disaster”?9. What was the significance of Shay’s rebellion?

The Articles of Confederation

• “Firm league of Friendship”• 1 house legislature- no executive or judicial branch• Each state had equal representation.• Congress had power to declare war & establish foreign policy

BUT…..• Congress could not- regulate trade or commerce or could not levy taxes (only borrow or ask states for money) ***************************To pass laws required 9/13 states to approve

= “super majority”To amend the Articles required unanimous consent.

What was the real revolution?

•The change in beliefs regarding

the role & purpose of government.

So how did the Constitution solve these problems?

• Constitution Scavenger Hunt - #2