FOUNDATIONS:
BACKGROUND TO AMERICAN
HISTORY
The Big Questions:
• What do the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution,
and the Bill of Rights say?
• What has been the importance of these three documents to
American history?
• What qualities led to America’s exceptional success as a
democratic republic?
• How did the characteristics of American culture found by John
de Crevecoeur compare to those later identified by Alexis de
Tocqueville?
The American Revolution
(in a nutshell)
• After the French and Indian War (17541763) the British Gov’t. had a huge debt
• To help pay this, they imposed a series of
new taxes on the colonists (Stamp, Tea,
Townshend)
• Colonists had no representation and saw
this as a violation of their rights (Taxation
without Representation)
Early events of the Revolution
• Boston Tea Party (1773) – protesters
(disguised as Indians) threw tea off British
ships in Boston harbor
• British soldiers and colonists fired on one
another at Lexington and Concord (1775)
• The Second Continental Congress
appointed George Washington to
command the Continental Army
Supporters of the Revolution
• Jonathan Trumbull, Sr. –
Governor of Connecticut
who supported the
colonists and spoke
against English abuses
• John Peter Muhlenberg –
Protestant minister who
enlisted over 100 men
into the Continental
Army. Part of the “Black
Regiment”. Rose to the
rank of General
The Declaration of Independence
• A “Committee of Five” was appointed by the 2nd Continental
Congress to draft a Declaration of Independence, but the
committee decided Thomas Jefferson should write most of it.
• Final was issued on July 4, 1776
• It freed the colonists from Britain, but also put forward a
theory of government
• Many ideas were borrowed from John Locke, such as the idea
of protection of unalienable, or natural, rights.
• Argued that ordinary citizens had the right to overthrow an
oppressive gov’t. if it failed to protect their rights
• Listed grievances against King George III and tyrannical rule.
Signers of the Declaration of
Independence
Signers of the Declaration were representatives from all 13
colonies (there were 56 in all). Signing was an act of treason
and was punishable by hanging
• John Hancock – most recognizable signature. A prosperous
merchant from Boston (president of the Continental
Congress)
• Benjamin Rush – a physician, educator, and humanitarian.
Sometimes known as the “Father of American Medicine”, a
pioneer of physiology and psychiatry, proposed a national
public university to train public servants, favored female
education, and established and financed the oldest AfricanAmerican church in the country.
Signers continued…
• Charles Carroll of Carrollton – one of the wealthiest men in
the colonies, he helped finance the Revolution with his own
money. Argued for armed resistance. Helped get recognition
for the acceptance of the Roman Catholic religion in
America.
• John Witherspoon – Scottish immigrant who became a
leading member of the Continental Congress and believed
the colonies were ready for independence. A Presbyterian
clergyman, he eventually became president of what is now
Princeton University.
THE U.S. CONSTITUTION
• Replaced the weak first constitution, The Articles
of Confederation
• The Constitutional Convention met in
Philadelphia in 1787, decided to abandon the
Articles, and wrote a new constitution
• Established the basic structure of our national
government
• Sought to defend the nation’s interests and
promote its general welfare
• Made federal law supreme over state law
The Federalist Papers
• A series of essays arguing strongly for ratification of
the Constitution
• John Jay
• Absent during the signing of the Declaration, but
helped negotiate the peace treaty with England
• Wrote three of the essays in the Federalist Papers
• Appointed first Chief Justice of the Supreme
Court
• Became governor of New York (introduced penal
reform, abolition of slavery, and extensive road
and canal projects)
The Bill of Rights
• First 10 amendments to the Constitution
• Approved by members of the first congress in
order to get the Constitution ratified
• Came into effect in 1791
Individual rights for all:
• 1st Amendment – Freedom of speech, religion,
press, assembly
• 2nd Amendment – Right to bear arms and
maintain a militia
• 3rd Amendment – Prohibits quartering of troops
Continued…
Rights of the accused:
• 4th Amendment – protects against
“unreasonable” search and seizures
• 5th Amendment – “due process of law”, ensures
indictment, grand jury, protection from double
jeopardy and self-incrimination
• 6th Amendment – fair and impartial trial for
criminal charges, trial by jury, and representation
by lawyer
• 7th Amendment – same as 6th for civil cases
• 8th Amendment – protects against excessive bail
and cruel and unusual punishment
Continued…
• 9th Amendment – Rights not specifically
mentioned are held by the people
• 10th Amendment – All powers not mentioned in
the Constitution as belonging to the federal
government are reserved for the states or the
people
Assignment
• Create an illustrated story book of the Bill of
Rights
• Make sure you include all 10 amendments
• Define the amendment (tell what rights it
provides for or protects)
• Include a picture that describes the
amendment
Five Values of America’s Success as a
Constitutional Republic
• Egalitarianism – social equality (regardless of wealth
, power, intelligence)
• Populism (popular sovereignty) – participation of the
common people in politics with a goal of peace and
prosperity
• Liberty – protection from tyrannical government
(rule of law)
• Individualism – freedom to flourish without
hereditary distinctions (the “American dream”)
• Laissez-Faire – a hands off approach to the economy
(no government interference in business)
THE EVOLUTION OF MID-NINETEENTH
CENTURY AMERICA, 1830-1865
• In the early 19th century, the three main sections of
the U.S. were affected very differently by industry
(North, South, West)
• These differences eventually led to the Civil War
(1861-1865)
• After 4 years the North was able to defeat the South
due to its greater population and resources
• Following the Civil War, a group of important
amendments were passed
• Northern armies occupied the South during
Reconstruction
“Civil War Amendments”
• 13th Amendment – abolished slavery
• 14th Amendment – guaranteed ALL citizens “due
process rights” and “equal protection” of the
laws from state governments
• 15th Amendment – prohibited denying
individuals their voting rights based on race
GROWTH OF THE NATION
• Federal gov’t. secured its supremacy over states
• The Great Plains were opened to settlement
• New railroad lines criss-crossed the nation
• The Northeast accelerated its industrial growth
The notion that Americans stand together is
expressed in the motto of the Great Seal of the
U.S. “E Pluribus Unum” (out of many comes one)
Our national motto “In God We Trust” has been
used on coins since 1864.
Assignment:
• Don’t forget to write a summary for your Cornell
notes
• Create a storyboard of the Foundations:
Background to American History notes/power
point
• Choose any four topics
• Each section will have a subtitle, summary,
picture, and question
• This will go on the left side of your interactive
notebook, and will be for a grade.