Overview
This lecture covers the origins of American political thought, focusing on Enlightenment influences, British traditions, and the actions by Great Britain that led to the American Revolution and the founding principles of the United States.
Roots of American Political Thought
- Colonial beliefs about liberty and self-government had deep European roots, especially from Enlightenment thinkers.
- John Locke's philosophy emphasized natural rights—life, liberty, and property—as God-given and unalienable.
- Magna Carta (1215) established early protections for life, liberty, and property for English citizens.
- The English Bill of Rights (1689) further listed citizens' liberties, influencing later American documents.
- Locke's social contract theory argued government is created by people's consent to protect rights, and can be changed if it fails this purpose.
- Colonists adopted the idea that government must be limited and based on representative self-government.
Traditions of Self-Government in the Colonies
- Early American colonies practiced representative government, such as Virginia’s House of Burgesses (1619) and the Mayflower Compact (1620).
- By the 1700s, all colonies had legislatures elected by male colonists.
- Colonists viewed these representative bodies as essential to political liberty and self-rule.
British Actions and Rising Colonial Resistance
- After the Seven Years’ War (1763), Britain restricted westward settlement and imposed new taxes to pay war debts.
- The Proclamation of 1763 forbade colonial settlement west of the Appalachians.
- Parliament's taxes (like the Stamp Act and Townshend Acts) were implemented without colonial consent, violating the principle of "no taxation without representation."
- Colonists rejected "virtual representation" in Parliament, demanding direct representation instead.
- The Boston Massacre (1770) and Boston Tea Party (1773) symbolized colonial outrage against British oppression.
- The Coercive (Intolerable) Acts (1774) severely restricted Massachusetts’ self-government, uniting colonies in opposition.
Declaration of Independence and Revolution
- The First Continental Congress (1774) coordinated colonial opposition; the Second Continental Congress (1775) managed the war effort and justified rebellion.
- The Declaration of Independence (1776), drafted by Thomas Jefferson, claimed government exists to protect natural rights and listed British violations.
- The document asserted colonists' right to create a new government when denied basic rights.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Natural Rights — Rights to life, liberty, and property believed to be inherent and unalienable.
- Social Contract — An implicit agreement where people consent to government in exchange for protection of rights.
- Magna Carta — 1215 English charter guaranteeing legal protections for citizens.
- English Bill of Rights — 1689 act listing rights of English citizens, influencing American political ideals.
- Virtual Representation — British idea that Parliament represents all subjects, even without direct voting rights.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review and compare the Declaration of Independence and the Declaration of Sentiments as suggested in the "Link to Learning" section.