Enlightenment & America
Our Political Beginnings
What is a Government? Defined: The institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies. It is made up of those people who exercise its powers, all those who have authority to control over people
Basic Concepts of Government Earliest French settlers bring knowledge of established political system Modeled from English system of government Many of these ideas come from outside of England, however 1. Ordered Government 2. Limited Government 3. Representative Government
Magna Carta
The Great Charter Signed by King John of England in 1215. Included fundamental rights: Trial by jury Magna Carta (cont.) Due process of law Private Property Established the principle that the power of the monarchy was not absolute.
The Petition of Right
The Petition of Right 1628 King Charles asks Parliament for tax raises Parliament refuses until Petition of Right is signed by the king
Petition of Right (cont.) Limited the king s power even more. Stated that even the king had to obey the law of the land. King could no longer: Imprison or punish any person without a lawful judgment of his peers. Impose martial law (rule by the military). Raise taxes without the permission of parliament.
The English Colonies What ideas influenced the first colonial governments? Hebrews- (Ten Commandments) laws based on morals Greeks- (direct democracy) everyone participated directly (smaller society) Romans- (Classical republic) elect people to represent you. People practice civic virtue. Promotion of the common good. Moral education.
The English Bill of Rights (Created during the Glorious Revolution.) Established: Trail by jury Due process No cruel punishment No excessive bail or fines Right to bear arms Right to petition
Changing Idea: Scientific Method Old Science Scholars generally relied on ancient authorities, church teachings, common sense, and reasoning to explain the physical world New Science In time, scholars began to use observation, experimentation, and scientific reasoning to gather knowledge and draw conclusions about the physical world
The Enlightenment in Europe Main Idea: A revolution in intellectual activity changed Europeans view of government and society
Enlightenment A new intellectual movement that stressed reason & thought and the power of individuals to solve problems Also known as Age of Reason People wanted to find a government to better serve people & poverty End intolerance & injustice
Changing Idea: The Right to Govern Old Idea New Idea A monarch s rule is justified by divine right Divine right: God-given right to rule A government s power comes from the consent of the governed
Two Views on Government Thomas Hobbes Humans = selfish & wicked Leads to violence & disorder Government = absolute monarchy to control people - people will agree to prevent disorder (social contract) - government will protect by keeping world peaceful & orderly (law & order)
Two Views on Government John Locke Government = to protect rights of people -People have natural right to life, liberty, & property -People have right to rebel against government that violated or failed to protect -Power of government comes from people DEMOCRACY
Philosophes & Reason Philosophes: French philosophers discussing politics & ideas Believed that people could apply reason to all aspects of life From wealthy & middle class that challenged power of governments & churches Many thrown in jail or censored when published
Philosophes Voltaire Fought for tolerance, reason, freedom of religion and speech
Montesquieu Separation of Powers (3 Branches of Government) Executive Branch Carry out laws Legislative Branch Make the laws Judicial Branch Interpret the laws No one person or group would be able to gain too much power: Checks & Balances
Rousseau Individual Freedom Direct Democracy: people agree to give up some freedom in favor of common good (Social Contract) An agreement among free individuals to create a society and a government Beccaria Criminal Justice Laws exist to preserve social order No torture or capital punishment (death penalty) Fair & speedy trial Punishment should fit the crime Opposite of Hobbes-an agreement between a society & its government Agrees w/locke: legitimate government comes from the consent of the governed (people)
Impact of Philosophes Inspired French & American Revolutions Fundamentals of U.S. Declaration of Independence French, U.S. & Latin American Constitutions Bill of Rights & French Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen
Legacy of the Enlightenment Belief on Progress Discoveries & advances of Scientific Revolution gave people confidence that human reason could solve social problems Secular (non-religious) Outlook questioning openly religious beliefs & teachings of the Church tolerance of all religions Rise of individualism Use own ability to judge what is right or wrong Government should promote peoples best welfare
Diderot s Encyclopedia A large set of books to which many leading scholars of Europe contributed articles Angered the French Government & Catholic Church Said to undermine royal authority, encouraged the spirit of revolt, and fostered moral corruption, irreligion, and unbelief
The Enlightenment & the American Revolution Main Idea: Enlightenment ideas helped spur the American colonies to shed British rule and create a new nation
Britain & Its American Colonies By mid-1700s, colonists had been living in America for nearly 150 years 13 colonies with own governments Less British & more as citizens of the colony they lived in, but had to obey British law Navigation Act Prevented colonists from selling product to anyone except Britain -Pay high taxes on French & Dutch goods Thirteen Colonies George III of England
Americans Win Independence Britain expected the colonists to pay the huge war debt from the French & Indian War Stamp Act: colonists had to pay a tax to have an official stamp put on official printed material Taxation without Representation -Boston Tea Party: colonists revolted when Britain put tax on tea When Britain closed Boston Harbor, colonists formed the First Continental Congress
Justifying Independence When the King didn t listen to the colonist demands, the colonists formed the Second Continental Congress Battle of Lexington & Concord began the American Revolution under the command of George Washington
Second Continental Congress issued the Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson Main Ideas from John Locke Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson & John Adams
We 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 (Locke said property instead of happiness) Locke: people have the right to rebel against an unjust ruler (King George s abuses on the colonists)
Declaration of Independence: A 3 part series Part 1: The opening Explanation of how the colonies are using Enlightenment thinking, especially natural rights and the social contract, to look at how they are being treated. Part 2: Grievances List of problems the colonists have against their rights with the rule of tyrannical King George III and British Parliament Part 3: Independence is declared We are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown
Success for the Colonists 1. Americans motivation for fighting was much stronger than that of the British since they were defending their homeland
2. Overconfident British generals made several mistakes 3. Time was on the side of the Americans -too expensive for the British 4. The Americans had help! -The French did not care about Americans, but hated the British so much, they aided the Americans with troops, supplies and money Statue of Liberty: A gift from the French for gaining independence
Americans Create a Republic Articles of Confederation: -Established United States as a republic Republic: a government in which citizens rule through elected representatives (form of democracy)
A Weak National Government States held most of power with a weak national government No executive or judicial branches One branch: Congress with each state, regardless of size, received one vote New laws must be passed by 9 of the 13 states Could only request monetary contributions from states, not allowed to tax States issued own money different from national currency Some states placed tariffs on trade between states
A NEW CONSTITUTION THE FEDERAL SYSTEM: Federal: power is divided between the national and state governments & people vote for their representatives 3 Branches of Government Legislative= Congress: House of Representatives & Senate Executive=President Judicial=Supreme Court Checks & Balances: Each Branch checks actions of other 2 branches
First 10 Amendments to the Constitution to protect people s basic civil rights
Enlightenment Ideas & the U.S. Constitution Enlightenment Idea U.S. Constitution LOCKE A government s power come from the consent of the people Preamble begins We the people of the United States to establish legitimacy Creates representative government Limits government powers MONTESQUIEU ROUSSEAU Separation of powers Direct democracy Federal system of government Powers divided among three branches System of checks and balances Public election of president and Congress VOLTAIRE BECCARIA Free speech, religious toleration Accused have rights, no torture Bill of Rights provides for freedom of speech and religion Bill of Rights protects rights of accused and prohibits cruel and unusual punishment