The principles and ideas concerning government in America were influenced by Great Britain, the Enlightenment, and ancient history. The historical experiences of Ancient Greece and Rome shaped the concepts of democracy and a republic, which in turn inspired Enlightenment thinkers to explore them. Among these philosophers, John Locke’s ideas on natural rights, social contract, and popular sovereignty had the greatest impact on Americans.
Educated American colonial leaders extensively studied governments and history. The American government’s foundations can be traced back to Great Britain, as the colonies were under British rule and many colonists were British citizens. Great Britain had already incorporated many of these ideas into its own government, such as restricting the monarch’s power in order to empower elected officials who would advocate for the people’s interests. Refer to the following chart for a condensed overview of the ideas that influenced the colonists’ perspectives on government.
Ideas About Government Text Version Ancient Greece Idea: Direct democracy Citizens vote directly on political issues and laws in this form f government. Governments In ancient Greece came closest to direct democracy because all the people defined as citizens could vote on decisions. Note that women and slaves could not vote, but at the time it was the most democratic government known. Ancient Rome Idea: Republic This is a form of government where the citizens elect representatives to make laws. In a large, populous, and diverse society such as ancient Rome, a republic was more efficient for government decisions.
The platform offered a chance for individuals who would otherwise be left out of decision-making, as is typical in direct democracy where only those present can vote. The concept of natural rights was introduced during the Enlightenment era and philosopher John Locke articulated this idea. These inherent rights, such as life, liberty, and property, are essential to every person and cannot be taken away by any government. Comprehending these principles has led to the establishment of rights that protect personal welfare, belongings, and the ability to shape one’s own future without interference.
The concept of a social contract asserts that a government is considered legitimate if it has the consent of the people, meaning that the people agree to its existence and give permission for it to rule. The social contract also states that if the people no longer give their consent, they have the right to withdraw it, abolish the current government, and establish a new one.
Another idea known as popular sovereignty holds that the ultimate authority lies with the people rather than the government. This principle is upheld in direct democracy where citizens have the power to directly vote and make decisions.
A republic can embody this principle when the people grant power to elected representatives. The governance in the American colonies underwent change as they were settled in the ass’s, with charters from Great Britain outlining their purpose and governance. While some colonies were established as economic ventures, others aimed to forge a distinct society. For nearly 200 years, the colonies operated with minimal oversight from Great Britain, yet most colonists identified as British citizens.
The French and Indian War, fought on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, caused a shift in British policy. Great Britain, burdened by debt from the war, looked to the colonists for financial assistance since some of the debt was incurred while defending their colonies. However, the colonists refused to accept and resisted the taxes and policies imposed upon them. They viewed these actions as not only a major alteration in their governance but also an insult to their identity as British subjects.
Taxes and trade restrictions inflicted harm upon merchants, leading them to increase prices for other colonists who patronized them. The colonists lacked representation in the British Parliament, thus concluding that Great Britain did not possess the consent of the colonists to govern. The colonists’ interests were not advocated for by anyone in Great Britain, and the king prohibited them from appointing a representative. Up until the mid-1700s, Great Britain attempted to satisfy the colonists by abolishing or modifying a recent policy, only to introduce another one that continued to obstruct the colonial interests.
The tensions between the colony and the crown escalated when British troops increased their presence after the war, resulting in an armed rebellion in Massachusetts. The Boston Massacre occurred as colonists and soldiers engaged in a fight, resulting in the death of five colonists. In opposition to a tea tax, colonists dumped British tea into the Boston harbor, an act known as the Boston Tea Party, which angered the British king and Parliament and led to the closure of the harbor. As a response to these and other events, the colonists started arming themselves for defense.
Colonial leaders responded to the situation by organizing a meeting called the First Continental Congress in 1774. Their intention was to find a solution to their disagreements with the British government. However, their petition requesting the reopening of Boston harbor and repeal of acts was disregarded by the king. Subsequently, conflict erupted between colonists and British soldiers in Lexington and Concord, near Boston, in April 1775. The Second Continental Congress then held a session where they sent out the Olive Branch Petition, aiming to seek an end to hostilities from soldiers.
The king remained silent because he believed that the colonists had no legitimate claim to petition him or the Parliament. Some colonists, particularly those whose economic survival relied on trade in major ports like Boston, began to feel that drastic measures were necessary. In early 1776, Thomas Paine authored a pamphlet entitled Common Sense, which argued for independence based on Enlightenment principles. The pamphlet not only held King George III accountable for the issues in the American colonies but also questioned the authority of the British government and monarchy.
The text explores the reasons behind the colonists’ desire to declare independence from Britain. It suggests establishing a government that is grounded in popular sovereignty and governed by a written constitution. While not all colonists were in favor of separating from Great Britain, the pamphlet garnered widespread readership and persuaded numerous individuals to back independence. In 1776, Thomas Jefferson received instructions from a committee to compose the Declaration of Independence. Collaborating with other leaders, he revised the document which was subsequently approved through a vote on July 4th, 1776.
Resentment towards British rule in colonial America grew during the late ass’s due to taxes imposed by Britain, leading to angry protests that escalated into violent confrontations and sparked the first battles of the American Revolution in 1775. At first, about one-third of colonists openly advocated for independence, another third opposed it, and the remaining third remained indifferent. However, public sentiment began to shift as Thomas Paine, an Englishman who had recently arrived in America and authored pamphlets, started exerting his influence.
“Common Sense,” a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in January of 1776, faced difficulty in finding a typesetter due to its potentially treasonous content. However, it was eventually published by a rebel printer. The pamphlet spanned across 47 pages and aimed to argue for American independence by criticizing the idea of British monarchy ruling over the colonies. Its impact was far-reaching as it was read aloud in various public and private settings such as street corners, taverns, parlors, pulpits, and schools. This widespread dissemination ultimately led to a member of the Continental Congress proposing the concept of independence on June 7, 1776.
Richard Henry Lee, a tobacco planter from Virginia, put forth a resolution declaring that the united colonies are now sovereign states and have severed their allegiance to the British monarchy. To draft a formal Declaration of Independence, Congress appointed a team of five individuals including Benjamin Franklin and John Adams. However, the esteemed members declined the task deeming it insignificant in terms of history and instead entrusted Thomas Jefferson with its composition due to his youth at 33 years old.
Jefferson spent 48 hours working tirelessly in his rented room on the second floor to compose the initial version of the most enduring protest document in the history of the free world. His remarkable words were inspired by John Locke, a 17th-century British philosopher. Only weeks before, Mason had asserted in the introduction to the Virginia Constitution that all individuals possess inherent rights, such as life and liberty, and are equally free and independent.
The Declaration of Independence is not groundbreaking; its arguments needed to be familiar and comprehensible for it to become a powerful document of justification. After nine intense hours of debate, Congress passed the resolution for independence, leading to the adoption of “the United States of America” by the 13 English colonies.
On July 2nd, 1776, John Adams believed this vote for independence would be remembered in history. Two days later, on July 4th, Jefferson’s drafted text was approved by delegates.
About a month later, the Declaration of Independence was finalized for signing by all members of Congress. John Hancock, as president of Congress, was the initial signatory. In under 40 words, Jefferson encapsulated the ideals of the new nation in the opening statement: “We believe these truths to be obvious: that everyone is equal and possesses inherent rights bestowed by their creator, including life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.” The declaration’s structure and organization.
Although Thomas Jefferson and other leaders did not expect the fame of the Declaration of Independence, they considered it less significant in comparison to creating a new government and striving for independence. Nevertheless, it continues to represent cherished principles of American governance and serves as inspiration for nations seeking autonomy. The Declaration of Independence consists of three vital elements.
The Declaration of Independence is comprised of three parts:
1. Introduction: This section presents the motives for its formation and the colonists’ convictions regarding the purpose of government, serving as compelling proof of their principles and ideas.
2. Grievances against King George III: In this part, the colonists list the actions taken by King George III that they believed violated their rights and governmental principles.
3. Declaration of Independence: Within this segment, the colonists officially declare the United States as an independent nation and clarify its consequences for their relationships with Great Britain and other nations.
Introduction: The text version introduces and explains the reasons for writing, including the belief that breaking away from a ruling country should involve providing a notification of the reasons. It also describes the colonists’ beliefs about government, such as John Locke’s natural rights and social contract theory.
List of Grievances: The text presents a list of 29 complaints that the colonists have against King George III. These complaints include taxation without representation, the requirement to house British soldiers in their homes, restrictions on colonial trade, and the shutting down of colonial legislatures. The list also includes the various attempts made by the colonists to seek redress from the king for their problems.
According to the Formal Declaration, due to grievances and inaction from the king or Parliament, the colonies will now be deemed as “Free and Independent States.” They will govern themselves and no longer show loyalty to Britain or follow its laws. Instead, they will establish their own states. The colonists vow to protect the Declaration of Independence with their lives, wealth, and honor. This upholds the principle of the Social Contract.
The colonists were of the belief that King George III had not fulfilled his responsibility to safeguard the people and their inherent rights. The list of grievances serves as proof of his failure in this regard. The preamble to the Declaration of Independence reiterates the purpose of government, which is founded on social contract theory. This theory asserts that individuals establish a government to protect their rights. Government exists solely because people either desire it or grant permission for designated leaders to govern.
The main idea of the text is that individuals have the power to overthrow a government if it fails to protect or denies their rights. In doing so, they can create a new version of the Declaration of Independence. The quote emphasizes the importance of explaining why one is separating from another group based on political connections and asserting an independent and fair position in accordance with natural laws and the will of God while respecting different perspectives.
Explanation: When a group wants to terminate their political connections with another nation, it is essential for them to articulate the justifications for the separation.
Quote: We firmly believe these truths are self-evident: every person is born with equal status and possesses inherent rights that cannot be deprived, such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Explanation: These facts are readily apparent: Every individual is inherently equal and endowed with specific rights bestowed by their Creator. These rights encompass the right to existence, freedom, and the pursuit of happiness.
Quote: Governments are established among individuals to safeguard these rights. Their authority derives from the consent of those they govern.
Explanation: Governments are established to protect individuals’ rights, and they derive their authority from the people they govern. Quote: “If any government becomes destructive to these purposes, it is the people’s right to change or remove it and establish a new one.” Explanation: If a government violates these rights, individuals have the right to modify or eliminate it and create a new government. Popular Sovereignty: How Does the Declaration of Independence Reflect Popular Sovereignty?
The concept of popular sovereignty asserts that the people possess the ultimate authority and power in government. In a republic or representative democracy, elected leaders are entrusted with making daily government decisions on behalf of individuals. However, individuals have the ability to withdraw their consent and transfer it to new leaders. Although most individuals are not directly involved in government operations, they still grant legitimacy to it. Benjamin Franklin clarified the idea of popular sovereignty when he said, “In free governments, the rulers are the servants and the people their superiors and sovereigns.” The colonists strongly believed that they were still British citizens entitled to the same rights as those living in Great Britain itself. Since they had no participation in policy-making and played no role in imposing taxes on the colonies, they argued that they had not given their consent. Their rallying cry of “No taxation without representation” originated from this notion of consent and authority source. As they lacked representation in Parliament, the Declaration of Independence served as their proclamation that Great Britain’s government no longer possessed legitimate power over the colonies.
The king prohibited the colonial legislatures from convening, thereby hampering any potential public reaction to the king’s policies. The Declaration of Independence articulates the reflection of natural and individual rights. According to the social contract principle, it is the responsibility of the government to safeguard its citizens and their rights. John Locke characterized natural rights as encompassing “life, liberty, and estate,” emphasizing that every individual inherently possesses these rights solely by virtue of being human. These rights are unalienable, indicating that no government or individual can deprive individuals of them.
He used the term estate, synonymous with property, to convey the idea that individuals have the freedom to support themselves and meet their own needs. When the Declaration of Independence was drafted by Jefferson, he expanded this concept by including the right to pursue happiness, recognizing that property ownership was not always essential for self-sufficiency. Historians acknowledge that slavery was commonplace during that era, particularly in the Southern colonies. Women were excluded from direct participation or influence in political affairs, instead relying on male family members. The phrase “all men are created equal” continues to generate discourse in contemporary society.
Most Americans would interpret “all men” to mean all humans, although it may have originally referred to only free males who were at least 21 years old. The concept of equality and the recognition of natural rights, including political rights, were different during the 18th century, but they were gradually evolving. At that time, the Declaration of Independence was seen as a foundation for abolishing slavery in the colonies, especially in the North. Over time, the language of this document and the phrase “all men” came to be understood as encompassing both men and women of all ethnicities and nationalities.
The principles of social contract, popular sovereignty, and natural rights are evident throughout the Declaration of Independence. The document states, “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.” This affirms that individuals have inherent rights given by God, not by any government or law. This idea aligns with the concept of natural rights proposed by philosopher John Locke. Furthermore, the Declaration includes Locke’s concept of social contract, stating, “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.” This means that when a government fails to protect people’s natural rights, they have the right to change or replace it. The document also addresses the abuses suffered by the colonists under King George III’s rule, stating, “The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.” Here, it is asserted that King George III has repeatedly violated the colonists’ rights in an attempt to establish absolute tyranny.They accuse him of being a tyrant, an evil leader who misuses power. In order to prove their claims, they will provide a list of his specific actions for people to consider. The colonists needed to convince people that their cause was just. One specific grievance states that he has refused his Assent to Laws, particularly those that are considered the most wholesome and necessary for the public good. Out of the 29 grievances, 27 of them begin with “He has,” emphasizing King George III’s actions that resembled tyranny according to the colonists. Another complaint is directed towards his control over the Judges in the colonies, making them dependent on his will alone for their offices’ tenure and the payment of their salaries.
If the king disagreed with their decision on a case, he had the power to dismiss them or reduce their salary. According to them, due to their dependency on the king for their jobs and income, it was impossible for them to render fair judgments. The document states that King George III has renounced his duties towards the colonists. This was evident when he labeled them as rebels and withheld British protection from them. Additionally, they portray the initial conflicts of the American Revolution as the king waging war against them. They further lament that both sides have disregarded justice and kinship.
In order to accept the required separation, we must acknowledge that it designates our division from the British people and consider them as enemies in war and friends in peace. This accusation also points out that the British people and Parliament have disregarded the concerns of the colonists. Although sharing cultural and familial ties, the colonists have chosen to distance themselves from both the British people and the king. Numerous delegates were greatly disturbed by the lack of support from either Parliament or the general population of Britain. As a result, we, the representatives of the United States of America…
Here they give a name to the new nation… “Solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States” They announce that the colonies are free and independent, no longer subject to the British king.
The Declaration of Independence consists of an introduction, a list of grievances, and a formal statement of independence.
It is true that the principle of natural rights originated in the Enlightenment.
It is also true that King George III’s colonial policies showed increasing respect for the principle of popular sovereignty over time.
