Independence

• Thomas Paine’s Common Sense persuaded Americans to fight for independence as well as liberty

• Paine and other leaders promoted the Revolution as an opportunity for self-government by the people

• more conservative republicans wanted to retain political hierarchy without monarchy.

• Chapter 8 Study Guide II, Question I.7

• Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence deepened the meaning of the struggle by proclaiming its foundation in self-evident and universal human rights.

Key Concepts

• The independence movement was fueled by established colonial elites, as well as by grassroots movements that included newly mobilized laborers, artisans, and women

• Colonial resistance rested on arguments over the rights of British subjects, the rights of the individual, and the ideas of the Enlightenment

• Enlightenment philosophers and ideas inspired many American political thinkers to emphasize individual talent over hereditary privilege.

• (This is also an outgrowth of unique American circumstances)

• John Locke– 17th century political theorist– Second Treatise of Civil Government, 1690– Social contract theory– People have a right to life, liberty and property– Governments are formed for the purpose of

protecting these natural rights

• Jean-Jacques Rousseau– On the Social Contract

Declaration of Independence

• July 2, 1776– Adoption of Richard Henry Lee’s motion for

independence• July 4th

– Declaration of Independence approved– Invoked natural rights as well as British rights to

justify independence

• Many new state constitutions and the Articles of Confederation, reflecting republican fears of both centralized power and excessive popular influence, placed power in the hands of the legislative branch and maintained property qualifications for voting and citizenship

• Chapter 9 Study Guide, Questions I.5 and I.6

NJ Constitution 1776

• Governor, Legislative Council and General Assembly

• Qualifications for office– For Legislative Council- worth one thousand pounds

proclamation money, in real and personal estate– For Assembly- worth five hundred pounds

proclamation money, in real and personal estate• Qualifications for voting– all inhabitants of this Colony, of full age, who are worth

fifty pounds proclamation money

• No established religion• No religious discrimination for holding office

as long as Protestant

The Articles of Confederation

• Problems?– Ch.9 Study Guide, questions II.1, II.4

• Positive Aspects?– Ch.9 Study Guide, questions II.3, II.6

Quotes• Read quotes– Place in context– Analyze point of view– To what larger issues/questions/themes do they

relate?

Shays’ Rebellion