CHY 4U1 – Image Analysis
The American Revolution – Signing the Declaration of Independence
Discussing the Illustration:
1) The American Revolution has been described as a the most “conservative revolution” in
history. Look up the definition for “Conservative” and prove or refute the above statement
based on what Americans wanted to “conserve” as stated in the Declaration of
Independence, and how successful they were in their endeavour.
2) Jefferson turned to the idea of “Natural Rights” and contract theory of government
popularized by Enlightenment thinkers such as Rousseau and Locke, when he was writing
the Declaration of Independence. Explain why he used these particular concepts.
3) Both Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin have been referred to as Enlightenment
Thinkers and have been compared to their various contemporaries in continental Europe.
Why?