Essential Question:
What ideas and events laid the foundation for the American Revolution?

Important European Ideas o Magna Carta

Document signed by the King of England in 1215

1 st limit to his power
 Guaranteed some basic rights:

Trial by jury

King could not tax without permission from Parliament o Enlightenment

Period of great ideas in Europe that influenced American ideas on government o English Bill of Rights
 Expanded the ideas of the Magna Carta

Further limited the power of the English monarchy

Increased rights of citizens o John Locke

English thinker
 Humans have 3 natural rights:

Life

Liberty

Property
 Social contract

Agreement between people and the government
 If the government fails to protect the people’s rights, the people have the right (or duty) to change it or overthrow it o Baron de Montesquieu

French thinker
 Separation of powers into 3 branches of government

Colony o Definition: a territory established by a nation to increase its wealth o Reasons English citizens moved to North American colonies:
 Financial
 Religion

To start a new life


Pilgrims o Sailed to America on the Mayflower in 1620

Signed the Mayflower Compact

Agreed to majority rule

Helped establish the idea of self-government in the colonies

French and Indian War (1754-1763) o Britain v. France

Each side had Native American allies o Fighting for control of North America o Part of a worldwide war between European nations called the Seven
Years’ War o British victory

Gained control over all territory east of the Mississippi River

Very expensive war

Leads to the American Revolution