Chapter II The American War of Independence

• Part I.Analysis of the Background for Declaration of Independence and the Constitution

• I. Philosophy:

• 1.Socrates

• happiness ultimate purpose of life.

• governments :promote moral well-being

• 2. Plato

• equality

3.Aristotleplurality in politics. 4.Cicero’s ruling elite the written law. prevents monarchs from becoming tyrants, II. Medieval religion .1.St. Augustine (354-430) man’s sin nature both Christians and non-Christians desire peace, social order serves the self-interests of both groups and thus is the aim of civil government. 2.St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) (Italian Dominican monk, theologian, and philosopher. the written law should be the embodiment of justice

III. Renaissance and Enlightenment philosophy 1.Machiavelli (Italian political theorist) 1469-1527 意 大利政治理论家，他的著作 君主论 (1513 年 ) 阐述了一个意志坚定的统治者不顾道德观念的约束如何获得并保持其权力 warns against the use of excessive power 2.Hobbes (English political philosopher ) a legal contract3.John Locke a democratic system of government “natural rights” theory :life,liberty,property,etc

4.Montesquieu 孟德斯鸠 : (1689-1755)French philosopher and jurist法理学家 . attack on the monarchy and the ancient time, and The Spirit of the Laws (1748), a discourse on government. division of powers.5. Confederation:. The Bill of Rights:1688,beginning of constitutional monarchy.6.Bruno: self confidence in Renaissance replaced the self-reflection of Christianity(Law of morality)

IV. American thought 1.The Mayflower Compact1620, Pilgrim Fathers, self –government, majority rule at Plymouth, Mass.the Pilgrims: puritan style of religion and live according to their own laws. Practiced intolerant moralism道德教育 and hierarchical rule,and punished religious herectics.2.Goger William people are the base of any power,the state must be built upon the will of the people.

3.Thomas Paine:Common Sense, George III , royal beast.

4 The Great Awakening of 1735-1745 was a reaction to a decline in piety and a laxity松驰 of morals : ch

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Part II • Part II. War of Independence(1775-1783)

• Analysis of American victory:

• 1.After1763:independency of colonial people in wealth.

• 2.British harsh policies:1763:George III3.war debt.French and Indian War(1753-1761),1763:The Treaty of Paris:British controls North America from the Atlantic Ocean to Missippi. 4.distance of communications.

• 5.no central area of strategic importance• .

6.the large size of the colonies7. manpower shortage:smallpox 天花 epidemic,scurvy 坏血病8.loyalist allegiance:the goal is to keep the colonies in the British Empire.The British were unable to use the harsh methods of suppressing rebellion they employed in Ireland and Scotland.(p60):General Howe: dual role: peace commissioner while conducting the war effort.

9.Hessian troops,language barrier10.Tactics: regular strategy.guerrilla war.11.Washington’s wise leadership.12.diplomacy: help from France,Spain and Holland.

Key points: 1.1770:The Boston Massacre 2.1772,Samuel Adams,the Boston , a Committee of Correspondence.3.1774,Sept:Philadelphia ,the First Continental Congress, still regarded British King as their supreme head and ruler.

Part III. The Confederation and the Constitution(1783-1789)The Articles of the Confederation, 1781, the United States was officially founded. Shay’s Rebellion 1787- The Constitution-Congress ( a House of Representatives and a Senate.Federalists—democratic- Hamilton. Anti- federalists –Thomas Jefferson.1791-Bill of Rights-freedom of speech, assembly ,press.