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Enlightenment and the Rise of Democratic IdeasCaroline KublinEDSC 307History-Social Science Content Standard 11.1

The American RevolutionLasted from 17751783The 13 colonies joined together to defend their respective self-governance and manage the armed conflict against the British to gain independenceLead to the formation of the Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of IndependenceAdopted on July 4, 1776Announced that the thirteen American colonies were now independent states and no longer a part of the British EmpireWritten by Thomas JeffersonWe hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men 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. These words are the influence of the Enlightenment Period. What do these words mean to you?Articles of ConfederationEstablished in 1781The first constitution of the United StatesThe Articles set the rules for making war and negotiating diplomatic agreements, and the Union shall be perpetual. George Washington and Alexander Hamilton felt that the Articles lacked the necessary provisions for a sufficiently effective government. There was no president or executive agencies or judiciaryThere was no tax base.There was no way to pay off state and national debtsIn 1788, with the approval of Congress, the Articles were replaced by the United States Constitution and the new government began operations in 1789.

The ConstitutionAdopted 1787The supreme law of the United States and is the framework for the organization of its government.It defines the relationship of the federal government with the states, citizens, and all people within the United States.The Constitution has been amended twenty-seven times; the first ten amendments are known as the Bill of Rights.A powerful bicameral legislature with a House and a SenateAn executive chosen by the legislatureA judiciary, with life-terms of service and vague powersThe national legislature would be able to veto state lawsInfluences from Montesquieu, who emphasized the need to have balanced forces pushing against each other to prevent tyranny. This in itself reflects the influence of Polybius's 2nd century BC treatise on the checks and balances of the constitution of the Roman Republic. British political philosopher John Locke was a major influence, and the due process clause of the Constitution was partly based on common law stretching back to Magna Carta (1215). [This information was adapted from: Wikipedia Constitution]5Where did the ideas come from that lead to the formation of the Bill of Rights?The English Bill of Rights (1689) was an inspiration for the American Bill of Rights.The focus is on religious freedom, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly.The right to bear arms, protection against double jeopardy, and protection against self-incrimination.Rights reserved to the States.

ACTIVITYGet into small groups (4 people) to a group and create your own Bill of Rights.Answer the following questions:What rights are important to you and why? Write them down.What influences your decision on what is important? Past experience, family heritage, etc.Vote for one person from the group to read these rights to the class. What influenced your decision to vote for them to present?Stay in small groups and discuss the following questions presented in the power point. Put your ideas in the KWL handout.

Importance/Contributions/Value of the Influence of the Enlightenment Period What do think the impact of these documents have upon our lives today?Some examples are the right to vote, own property, choice of profession, right to an education

What if a different kind of government was established socialist or communist?More revolutions?More discontent?Extreme poverty and extreme wealth?Elimination of the middle class?Other ideas?

What could the next step be in our democratic process of government?Should non-native born citizens be eligible for the presidency?Should bicameralism give way to tri-cameralism or quad-cameralism?Expansion of the 2-party system and give other parties an opportunity at the presidency?Right of citizens extended to non-citizens?Other thoughts?ConclusionWhat do you think is the most important aspect of our democratic society?Which document encapsulates that and why?Where do you think we will be in another 200 years?

Resourceshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Revolutionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Constitutionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Declaration_of_Independence

Topic The US Enlightenment and Founding Documents

What I KnowWhat I Want to KnowWhat I Learned

1. Ex. The Constitution and Declaration of Independence are the founding documents of the United States.2. A democratic form of government allows for opportunity.3. Democratic form of government allows for the flow of new ideas.4. The Bill of Rights protects people.

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10.1. Ex. How did they come about and how were they created?2. What does this mean to you?3. What if a different kind of government was established socialist/communist?4. Where did the ideas come from that lead to the formation of the Bill of Rights?

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10.1. Ex. The Declaration was signed in 1776 and the Constitution was created in 1787. A series of thinkers contributed to these documents including John Locke, Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine and James Madison that brought forth Enlightenment ideas to influence the direction of these documents.

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