APS
Day
4
Agenda
Goal – to understand that American history and experiences during the
colonial era led to specific beliefs about life and government. The
Declaration of independence is s statement of the fundamental political
philosophies Americans believe
Warm-up – identify the 5 key ideals of democracy, identify the differences
between the two types of democracy
1.
Colonial history and how it developed into a set of American political
values – read handout and summarize each point – summarize the key
ideals that answer: what ideas about life and government developed
during this time?
2.
Locke and his beliefs turn into American ideals found in the Declaration
of Independence
3.
What are the principles of government articulated in the Declaration of
Independence?
1. Read Declaration of Independence on p 40 of your text book
2. Identify why the Continental Congress issued this Declaration
3. Identify the 4 philosophies about government and the people
articulated in this document.
4. Explain the source of these political beliefs.
5. Do Americans still believe all or some of these political
philosophies? What specific evidence do you have to support your
conclusion?
Democracy
– Substantive democracy goes well beyond the process of determining policy
and who makes policy. Substantive democracy must include underlying
democratic values often embodied in a constitution that defines the
specific goals and values of a government like civil rights (values
protected by actions of gov’t) and liberties (values gov’t is prevented from
limiting) all of which relate to:
1. minority rights being protected even while majority rules
2. competitive elections,
3. equal participation,
4. equal political freedom,
5. civil society,
6. Individual worth
7. free access to information,
8. contingent consent,
9. compromise
10. rule of law,
11. chance for alternation of power
Colonial History
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
1607  need
Americans
were
primarily
British. Had
beliefs
that government
People
to have
a say
in government
and
government
needs toshould
be
be limited and people should have some say. Based on Magna Carta and
limited
English Common Law.
Coloniesenterprise
were mainly
business ventures.
Neededistonecessary
be organized
to bea
Private
– capitalism.
Government
to create
profitable.environment
Religious colonies
needed
rulescan
consistent
with their religions.
“secure”
so that
business
flourish.
Colonists
created
theirbe
own
for protection
Government
should
as LOCAL
close togovernments
the people mainly
as possible
– local of life and
PROPERTY.
government . Purpose is to protect life and property
Each
had
local governments
for local issues,
Colonial
governments
Needcolony
to have
different
levels of government
forand
different
purposes
like for
larger
issues
likeand
relations
with Britain,
and protection
from invaders
like
property
rules
protection
at the trade,
local level,
conflict between
localities
Spanish,
French
Indians.
to be solved
byand
states
and foreign issues to be addressed by national gov’t.
King
and Parliament
were
the official
of colonies
and passedand
a series
Government
that is far
away
is less government
able to enforce
laws effectively
of
laws, mainly
about trade.
laws were not enforced often or with much
unstable
government
is alsoBut
ineffective.
vigor for many reasons like distance and British government instability
Essentially,
colonies
were own
left alone
forthrough
their own
localgovernments
and colonial
Americans the
canAmerican
effecgtively
run their
affairs
local
governments
tofrom
run their
localespecially
and colonial
affairs.
These people
governments
with the input
the own
people,
those
educated
who all
had
some form
democratic
component
understood
theofbasics
of humanity
and where
politicsthe people had a voice in their
own governing. Also, the Americans who participated in government often had
read the political philosophers and believed in the natural rights philosophy.
Colonial History
7. After
French
and
Indian
War, Britain
needed
to recoup
Peoplethe
need
to have
a say
in government
and
government
needsits
to be
financialTaxes
losses
while
to maintain
over
thea
limited.
areincurred
unpleasant
andtrying
can only
be createdownership
if the people
have
American
The British
strictlybe
enforced
its their
lawsown
and affairs.
passed
say
in their Colonies.
creation. Local
people should
free to run
new laws like taxes and the Declaratory Act. Americans were very
angry because they had ruled themselves for 150 years, and now
they were being told they had to obey the King and Parliament.
8. Government
As the British
Government
its control
over
that
uses force toattempt
achieveto
itsfurther
goals isexpand
bad, especially
if the
the colonies,
the American
leaders began to argue that
goals
are not supported
by thepolitical
local people.
British actions were contrary to British and American political ideals
and traditions.
9. At
first Americans
justvery
wanted
the
to back
off and
return to
Government
should be
limited
in British
its actions,
especially
regarding
past
laissez
faire
governance.
private
business
activity.
10. Britain
did have
not back
off, and
sent troops
to enforce
its authority.
The people
the right
to change
government
if it becomes
abusive,The
but
sending
of the
troops
ledfor
to athe
military
conflicts
Lexington
only if it has
been
abusive
long
time and
has notatlistened
to itsand
Concord
andpeople
Boston.
conflicts led to
2nddecisions
Continental
people. The
can These
elect representatives
to the
make
for them.
Congress, which created the Declaration of Independence
Declaration of Independence
When in the Course of human
events, it becomes necessary for
one people to dissolve the
political bands which have
connected them with another,
and to assume among the powers
of the earth, the separate and
equal station to which the Laws
of Nature and of Nature's God
entitle them, a decent respect to
the opinions of mankind requires
that they should declare the
causes which impel them to the
separation.
Translation of Declaration in Modern
English
At any point when a group of people in a
colony wish to gain their independence
from their mother country and become a
sovereign country like Spain or France or
Britain, the rebels demanding this
independence must demonstrate that they
are respectful people to the rest of the
world.
Mostly this is because the American
colonists knew that they could not win a
war for independence without allies, and
alliances would be hard to come by unless
they demonstrated that they were not just
common thugs and terrorists. Also, they
wanted to demonstrate their respect so that
trading partnerships with the rest of the
world could develop after independence
Declaration of Independence
Philosophies and rationale for
Revolution and Independence
1. We hold these truths to be selfevident, 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. –
2. That to secure these rights,
Governments are instituted
among Men,
Translation of Philosophies and
rationale for Revolution and
Independence
1. We Americans have lived for
150 years governing ourselves
and our experience has shown
that all men get three
fundamental rights from God –
life Liberty and the pursuit of
happiness (in lockean theory =
property)
2. governments have the sole
purpose to protect people’s
rights
Declaration of Independence
Philosophies and rationale for
Revolution and Independence
3. deriving their just powers from
the consent of the governed, -4. That whenever any Form of
Government becomes destructive
of these ends, it is the Right of the
People to alter or to abolish it, and
to institute new Government, laying
its foundation on such principles
and organizing its powers in such
form, as to them shall seem most
likely to effect their Safety and
Happiness.
Translation of Philosophies and
rationale for Revolution and
Independence
3.
4.
governments get their powers from
the agreement of the citizens who
have to follow the governments rules
(in Lockean theory = Social Contract)
Sometimes government not only does
not protect people, but that the
government itself abuses the people’s
rights, takes away their liberty,
property or even their lives –
essentially breaking the social
contract. In this situation, if
government breaks the social contract
so badly that people are abused, then
the people have the right to overthrow
the government and create a new
government that the people like.