AN AMERICAN ENLIGHTENMENT?

The Coming of the American Republic

The 18th-century American Enlightenment was a movement marked by an emphasis on rationality rather than tradition, scientific inquiry instead of unquestioning religious dogma, and representative government in place of monarchy. Enlightenment thinkers and writers were devoted to the ideals of justice, liberty, and equality as the natural rights of man. American leaders borrowed from the ideas of the European Enlightenment such as Locke, Rousseau, Burke and Montesquieu in developing our own ideas of democracy and capitalism. As the colonies developed throughout the late 1600’s and early 1700’s they became more American and less British. In the mid-1700’s, as the British attempted to bring them back into the fold, a revolutionary spirit grew which eventually culminated in the formation of the American Republic.

Benjamin Franklin – America’s Renaissance Man

Benjamin Franklin embodied the Enlightenment ideal of humane rationality. Franklin recorded his early life in his famous Autobiography. Writer, printer, publisher, scientist, philanthropist, and diplomat, he was the most famous and respected private figure of his time. He was the first great self-made man in America. Franklin's Poor Richard's Almanack, begun in 1732 and published for many years, made Franklin well-known throughout the colonies. This annual book of useful encouragement, advice, and factual information included sayings such as, "A Word to the Wise is enough," “God helps them that help themselves," and "Early to Bed, and early to rise, makes a Man healthy, wealthy, and wise." Franklin was an important figure at the 1787 convention at which the U.S. Constitution was drafted.

In Class Journal (Hist)- John Singleton Copely was the foremost portrait artist in the colonies as we approached the War of Independence. Discuss how this portrait of Paul Revere portrays the concept of the American Enlightenment.

Colonies Develop Distinct American Character

In the 100 years between the Age of Settlement (middle 1600’s) and the American Enlightenment (middle 1700’s) the American colonies began to develop a distinctly American character.

1. Democratic institutions began to develop, such as:

· elected representative assemblies (Virginia House of Burgesses –1619),

· self-government with direct democracy and majority rule (Mayflower Compact – 1620 and

New England town meetings), and

· written constitutions (Fundamental Orders of Connecticut – 1639)

2. Religious diversity eventually led to the growth of toleration.

· When the Puritans banished Roger Williams and Anne Hutchinson to Rhode Island, they established the concept of separation of church and state.

· In addition to the Anglican Church (NY and the southern colonies) and the

Puritans, many religions settled in the middle colonies (Quakers, Presbyterians, Dutch

Reformed, Baptist, Lutheran and Jewish.)

· Maryland passed the 1^st Religious Toleration Act in 1649 to protect a Catholic minority

· William Penn granted religious freedom to all in Pennsylvania.

3. The regions began to develop distinct economies.

· The North developed basic manufacturing (small textiles and cloth and shipbuilding) and were hurt by

· English Mercantilist Laws which forced the export of raw materials back to English factories instead.

· The Middle Colonies became the “bread basket” of the colonies and great harbors in New York and Philadelphia lead to trade development.

· The Southern colonies developed a “cash crop” economy based on indigo, tobacco

and eventually cotton.

Factors Leading to Revolutionary Spirit

1. Navigation Acts – (1660) The Navigation Act stated that only ships built in

the colonies or England could trade in the colonies and that certain valuable enumerated goods that were not produced in England could be transported from the colonies only to England or another British colony. This was an attempt to freeze out foreign competition. Thus, the British were setting up their imperial and mercantile systems.

2. The period from 1700-1775 saw a tremendous growth in the colonial economy, population and

standard of living. The colonies had become a major consumer society as well as a growing

trading power. Since the Crown did not rigorously enforce the Navigation Acts (Salutary

Neglect), the colonies had established trade relationships with other countries and the West

Indies. Subsequent stricter enforcement of the Acts would lead to trouble.

3. The century of imperial wars had left the British in serious financial straits. They attempted to

raise revenues and force the colonies to trade with British companies. The colonists reacted to

each with increasing vigor and anger. Particularly upsetting was the passage of taxes without

their representation in the English Parliament. NO TAXATION WITHOUT

REPRESENTATION! Some include:

a. Stamp Act (1765) – Required colonist to purchase “stamps” for

all official correspondence and paperwork.

Colonists responded with riots forcing the repeal

of the act.

b. Tea Act (1773)– Required colonists to purchase tea from

British traders rather than Dutch. Though British

tea was cheaper, colonists responded with the

destruction of British Tea (Boston Tea Party).

c. Intolerable or Coercive Acts (1774)– British response to the Boston Tea Party, closing the Boston harbor,

declaring martial law, quartering British troops in Boston, and suspending the colonial legislature.

4. Committees of Correspondence – In 1772, Samuel Adams, a true ideologue and revolutionary, organized this to communicate grievances throughout Massachusetts. Other colonies copied the idea. This communication was important in getting the colonies to see themselves as one.

In Class Journal - Discuss how this Copely portrait of Samuel Adams depicts the revolutionary spirit of the times.

Homework Assignment #5

1. Discuss the development of democracy.

2. Discuss how religious toleration developed.

3. Discuss the development of regional economies.

4. Discuss the role the Navigation Acts played in leading to the Revolution.

5. Discuss the role various taxes played in leading to the Revolution.

6. What role did the Committees of Correspondence play?

Continental Congresses

1^st in 1774, a gathering of 55 delegates from 12 colonies gathered to discuss a response to the Intolerable Acts. It is the blueprint for a revolutionary government. After shots are fired at Lexington and Concord, the 2^nd will meet in May of 1775 and draft the Declaration of Independence (authored by Thomas Jefferson as a declaration of war as well as a statement of goals and justification of military action. Signed July 4, 1776.) This will become the revolutionary government and draft the Articles of Confederation, our first constitution.

Patrick Henry- “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death”

With the Continental Congress divided over taking the last step breaking away from England, the colony of Virginia was extremely important in bringing the reluctant southern colonies along. Patrick Henry and his famous speech were instrumental in swaying the Virginia Colonial Assembly.

from Give Me Liberty, or Give Me Death - Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775.

They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. The millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable--and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come.

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace-- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

The Political Pamphlet

The passion of Revolutionary literature is found in pamphlets, the most popular form of political literature of the day. Over 2,000 pamphlets were published during the Revolution. The pamphlets thrilled patriots and threatened loyalists; they filled the role of drama, as they were often read aloud in public to excite audiences. American soldiers read them aloud in their camps; British Loyalists threw them into public bonfires.

Political writings in a democracy had to be clear to appeal to the voters. And to have informed voters, universal education was promoted by many of the founding fathers. One indication of the vigorous, if simple, literary life was the proliferation of newspapers. More newspapers were read in America during the Revolution than anywhere else in the world. Immigration also mandated a simple style. Clarity was vital to a newcomer, for whom English might be a second language.

Thomas Paine authored the pamphlet “Common Sense,” persuading common folk that “it was not reasonable to regard England as the mother country...We have it in our power to begin the world over again.” Common Sense sold over 100,000 copies in the first three months of its publication. It is still rousing today.

excerpts from Common Sense, Feb. 1776

IN the following pages I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense…

The sun never shined on a cause of greater worth. 'Tis not the affair of a city, a country, a province, or a kingdom, but of a continent—of at least one eighth part of the habitable globe. 'Tis not the concern of a day, a year, or an age; posterity are virtually involved in the contest, and will be more or less affected, even to the end of time, by the proceedings now. Now is the seed time of continental union, faith and honor. The least fracture now will be like a name engraved with the point of a pin on the tender rind of a young oak; The wound will enlarge with the tree, and posterity read it in full grown characters….

Every thing that is right or natural pleads for separation. The blood of the slain, the weeping voice of nature cries, 'TIS TIME TO PART. Even the distance at which the Almighty hath placed England and America, is a strong and natural proof, that the authority of the one, over the other, was never the design of Heaven. The time likewise at which the continent was discovered, adds weight to the argument, and the manner in which it was peopled encreases the force of it. The reformation was preceded by the discovery of America, as if the Almighty graciously meant to open a sanctuary to the persecuted in future years, when home should afford neither friendship nor safety.

The Declaration of Independence – Thomas Jefferson

The Declaration of Independence, by John Trumball

Trumball is considered the first true historical painter in the United States. This painting is on exhibit in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol.

excerpts from The Declaration of Independence

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

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. --That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --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, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

In class journal: In addition to being president and an author, Thomas Jefferson was also one of the most important architects of the early United States. How do these buildings differ from the early British influenced designs such as the Governors’ Mansion in Williamsburg? (pg. 9) Can you make the connection to this early democracy?

The War of Independence as Seen through the Cultural Lens

Lexington and Concord – “The Shot Heard Round the World”

The first shots of the War of Independence were fired at Lexington and Concord, as the British traveled out from Boston to attempt to confiscate weapons. Colonial militia, ready to respond in a minute (minutemen), confronted the troops. They continued to fight all the way back to Boston, leading to Breeds or Bunker Hill. This is where both the legend of Paul Revere was born. Ralph Waldo Emerson, a citizen of Concord in the early 1800’s, wrote the poem the Concord Hymn, immortalizing their role as the beginning of the first fight for democracy.

The Concord Hymn - Sung at the Completion of the Concord Monument, July 4, 1837

Trenton and Princeton - The Crossing of the Delaware

This Emmanuel Leutze painting of Washington crossing the Delaware is probably the most vivid imprint of General Washington in our culture. After several horrible confrontations with the British, Washington began to use tactics we would today describe as guerilla warfare. The crossing of the Delaware and the surprise attacks on Trenton and Princeton (Dec. 1776, Jan. 1777) are the best examples of this. The goal of Washington and his army will not be to win the war, it will be to stay in the field and continue to fight, testing the resolve of the British and their will to continue the fight.

Winters at Morristown and Valley Forge – “These Are the Times that Try Men’s Souls.”

The winters of 1776-7 (Morristown) and 1777-8 (Valley Forge) have been immortalized in American culture as Washington and his troops faced horrible conditions, testing their will to survive and continue. Thomas Paine would again contribute through his pamphlets writing “American Crisis” during the bleak winter of 1776-7. General Washington ordered the first to be read at Valley Forge.

from The American Crisis, December 23, 1776

THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will,

in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves

the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we

have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.

What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its

value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange

indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated. Britain, with an

army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has a right (not only to TAX) but "to BIND us in ALL CASES

WHATSOEVER" and if being bound in that manner, is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth.

Even the expression is impious; for so unlimited a power can belong only to God.

Yorktown

The war was brought to an end with the American victory at Yorktown in 1781. After a pivotal American victory at Saratoga in 1777 the French officially recognized American independence and sent military help. With the help of Marquis de Lafayette as well as the French Navy, the Continental Army was able to defeat the British at Yorktown. This Gilbert Stuart painting of Washington and his Generals at Yorktown is significant as a historical painting in that even though is not completely historically accurate, it is obvious that Start was there (he was a member of Washington’s army).

Washington and his Generals at Yorktown- Gilbert Stuart

Homework Assignment #6

Go back to the these previous readings. For each of the readings, underline or highlight 5 segments, sentences, etc. For each highlight, write 2-3 sentences in the margins describing why you feel that segment is significant.

Patrick Henry – “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death (pg. 29)

Thomas Paine – Common Sense (pg. 30)

Thomas Jefferson – The Declaration of Independence (pg. 31)

Ralph Waldo Emerson – The Concord Hymn (pg. 32)

Thomas Paine – The American Crisis #1 (pg. 33)

Why Did We Win the War?

Ben Franklin, John Jay and John Adams were sent to France to negotiate the Treaty of Paris (1783). The British found it was too difficult to fight a war against such mounting disadvantages as:

a) Americans fighting on their own soil for their own freedom.

b) Americans were superior wilderness fighters.

c) Courageous and committed leaders like George Washington.

d) The distance between England and the battlefield.

e) Aid from foreigners like Lafayette, von Steubon and Casimir Pulaski.

f) Foreign nations such as France, Holland and Spain joining the struggle.

The Constitution

Philadelphia 1787 – Constitutional Convention

After the end war (as well as during the war) the republic suffered from the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, our 1^st Constitution. The Articles provided for too weak of a central government, denying any enforcement power (tax collection, raising an army, etc.) The Constitutional Convention was called in 1787 to revise the Articles. The beginning blueprint was Virginia Plan, representing the ideas of James Madison.

Basic Structure of Constitution

a. Preamble - introduction and statement of goals

b. Articles - provides for structure of U.S. government

c. Amendments - additions to Constitution

Major Principles of Constitution/Government

a. Separation of Powers - powers divided amongst legislative, judicial and executive branches

b. Federal System - powers also divided between central government and state governments.

c. Republic - representative democracy, where people elect representatives who make the laws.

d. Checks and Balances - each branch has institutional powers to limit the power of the others

e. Judicial Review - Judicial ability to interpret Constitution

Powers Within the Federal system

a. Delegated Powers are those that are specifically given to the federal government. They

include the power to coin money, regulate interstate commerce, conduct

foreign relations and declare war

b. Reserved Powers are those that are reserved for the states. They include the power to

provide for schools, make laws concerning marriage and divorce, provide

for local governments and regulate intrastate commerce.

c. Concurrent (shared) Powers are those shared by both the federal and state governments.

They include the power to tax and borrow money and to establish courts.

Article 1 - Legislative Branch - Bicameral (2 houses; makes the laws)

a. House of Representatives (based on population) - 435 total

1. 2 year term

2. Speaker of the House (leader of majority party) runs the House

3. All tax/revenue bills must start in the House

4. elects the President if the Electoral College can't

b. Senate (2 per state - 100 total)

1. 6 year term (staggered elections, 1/3 every 2 years

2. Vice-president is the president of the Senate; only votes to break a tie

3. Approves all Presidential appointments (cabinet and courts- simple majority) and

treaties (2/3 vote)

c. Congress (both houses)

1. Responsible for passing laws and taxes

2. Declares war (President requests, but only Congress can do)

3. Raise military, regulate trade

Article 2 - Executive Branch (President, Vice President and Cabinet/Bureaucracy - enforces laws)

a. 4 year term, two-term limit (22^nd Amendment; 6-10 years)

b. Commander in Chief of Armed Forces; can temporarily send troops, cannot declare war

c. Makes all treaties with foreign countries (must be ratified by Senate)

d. Makes appointments to courts and cabinet/bureaucracy (must be ratified by Senate)

e. Responsible to report to Congress each year (State of the Union)

f. Can veto bills passed by Congress

g. Elected by the Electoral College

h. Creates and recommends budget to Congress each year.

Cabinet

1. Selected to help President and VP run the country/enforce laws.

2. Begun by Washington and continued as past practice

3. Appointments confirmed by the Senate

4. Includes Secretaries of State, Defense, Treasury, Attorney General and many more.

5. Increase of both the number of departments and size of each due to complexity of running

the country accounts for the enormous size of the bureaucracy.

Electoral College - used to protect the government from ill-advised choices by the people. People

elect electors at state level, who then elect the President.

a. Each state is assigned a number of electoral votes equal to the number of representatives in

the House of Reps and the Senate.

b. The District of Columbia is given 3 electoral votes, therefore the total number of votes in

the Electoral College is 538 ( 435 in House, 100 in Senate, 3 for D.C.)

c. Each state will have a popular vote, with the winner getting all of the electoral votes from

that state. Their party will send their electors to vote for President.)

d. It is possible to win popular vote for the entire country, but lose the Electoral College. It is also

possible to win more states, but still lose the electoral vote.

f. The winner must get a simple majority of votes in the Electoral College(270 votes.) If no

candidate receives a majority in the Electoral College, the election goes into the House of

Representatives.

Article 4 - Judiciary - interprets the Constitution and laws

1. 3 levels - District (trial level), Appellate (appeals) and Supreme.

2. Supreme Court hears only cases that involve constitutional questions, are between states

or involve foreign countries.

3. 9 members, life terms (can be impeached and tried)

4. Constitution gave Congress right to set up courts; Judiciary Act of 1789 did so.

5. Judicial Review - right of Supreme Court to determine constitutionality of laws or

executive acts.

Checks and Balances

a. The President can check the Congress by:

1. The veto of bills

2. Calling special sessions of Congress

3. Recommending bills.

b. The President can check the Supreme Court by:

1. Appointing judges and granting pardons.

c. The Congress can check the President by

1. Overriding a veto

2. Impeaching (House) and removing (Senate) the President

3. Refusing to confirm a presidential appointment or treaty (Senate).

d. The Congress can check the Supreme Court by:

1. The same impeachment process as the President

2. Refusing to confirm judicial appointments

3. Proposing constitutional amendments and by creating lower courts.

e. The Supreme Court can check:

1. The President by declaring executive acts/actions unconstitutional.

2. The Congress by declaring laws unconstitutional.

Voting and Elections

a. 1st Tuesday in November, even numbered years (not Nov. 1st)

b. 18 years old and registered to vote (voting every year will exempt you from re-registration)

c. Australian (secret) ballot

d. Must vote where registered (residency), unless by absentee ballot (college, etc.)

e. States can set legal requirements, if consistent with Constitution

American Flag

a. Symbol of our nation

b. 13 stripes (original colonies), 50 stars (states in Union)

c. May be flown 24 hours a day, in all weather. (usually during day)

d. Never is flown below another flag

e. Burning the flag is still protected by freedom of speech.

f. Flown half mast for mourning, upside down for distress.

Amendments - Constitution may be amended by:

a. Proposing an amendment with a 2/3 vote in both the House and the Senate or 2/3 of the

state legislatures

b. Ratifying with ¾ vote of state legislatures/conventions (38)

27 Amendments (1st 10 - Bill of Rights to protect the individuals rights)

1st - Freedom of speech, religion, assembly, petition and press

2nd - Right to bear arms

4th - Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures (warrants with probable cause)

5th - Rights of those charged with crimes - grand jury in capital crimes, double jeopardy,

self incrimination, due process of law, eminant domain

6th - Right to a trial by jury, witnesses, an attorney, face accuser

8th - Cruel and unusual punishments

Homework Assignment # 7

1. Discuss the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

2. Discuss the basic structure of the Constitution.

3. Discuss the major principles of the Constitution and the government it

established.

a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

4. Discuss the 3 types of powers within the federal system.

a.

b.

c.

5. Differ between the:

a. House of Representatives

b. Senate

6. Discuss the responsibilities of Congress.

7. Discuss the responsibilities and requirements of the Executive Branch.

8. Discuss the role of and the need for the cabinet.

9. Discuss the role of the Electoral College.

10. Discuss the requirements for and the role of the Judiciary.

11. Discuss Election Day and procedures for it.

12. Discuss the basic human rights protected in the Bill of Rights.