Thesis: The American Revolution was justified by the colonists based on the ideals of previous forms of government, philosophers and leaders, and traditions used previously in other forms of government.
A. Introduction
B. Justification of Independence
1. Heavy taxation on commodities imported into the colonies a. Stamp Act, Sugar Act, Townshend Acts,
2. Idea that government should be based on a democratic and republic type of society- Thomas Paine’s Common Sense a. Argued that colonists were basing their fundamentals of government on the ideas of an aristocratic and monarch form of government 3. Experience of republicanism under “virtual representation” rule of Britain a. parliament argued that they had the best intentions for the entire empire, rather just just focusing on the success and prosperity of Britain C. Philosophies #1
1. Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson were followers of deism a. Believed that God created society/universe, but then abandoned this society to create a new society 2. John Locke’s ‘Two Treatises of Government’, published in 1690 a. Locke rejected the claim that kings and queens had the “divine right” to rule others 3. Jefferson’s interpretation of Locke’s work and virtues a. Based government on basis that governments should be created among free people as social contracts b. self-evident truths “life, liberty, and property”–natural law D. Philosophies #2
The Essay on Politics Government Society Political
... in the ways in which to create the ideal society. An ideal society is in practice a rather difficult ... the public sector. Our and any other government is based on politics and the policies of the ... in the linear diagram have representation of some form in Britain, whether it be through recognised ... National Assistance, and National Health Service (NHS) Acts were passed, the last of these being the ...
1. Previous living style in aristocratic society
a. Some early colonists believed that an aristocratic form of government is bad; however, there should still be different social classes in society 2. Democratic form do government
a. Town meeting style gatherings
b. Checks and Balances/Different branches of government 3. Dream
to end royal hierarchy and get out from under monarch rule a. List of grievances against the Crown listed in the Declaration of Independence b. Thomas Paine Common Sense
E. Conclusion
