friday 16 october chapter 5, the american revolution, 1763-1783: “the end of the beginning.”
TRANSCRIPT
Friday 16 October
Chapter 5, The American Revolution, 1763-1783: “The End of the
Beginning.”
Classwork Friday October 161. PPT, The American Revolution, 1763-1783: The Declaration of Independence through An
Asylum for Mankind, pp. 202-204.
2. Digital History document analysis: “Was the Revolution Justified?”Read the online document and write a brief essay explaining why (or why not) the
American Revolution was justified.
http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/disp_textbook.cfm?smtid=2&psid=3218
If you do not finish this in class, do not rush. Finish at home and hand in on Monday for a classwork grade.
Note: Project due today by 3 p.m. No exceptions.
To recap: Revolutionary War chronology thus far:1. 1763-End of the French and Indian War (p. 185)2. 1764-Sugar (Molasses) Act (p. 186)3. 1765-Stamp Act: Sons of Liberty Organized; Stamp Act Congress (pp. 187-189)4. 1767-Townshend Acts (p. 191)5. 1768-Liberty Riots; British troops stationed in Boston (p. 192)6. 1770-Boston “Massacre” (p. 192)7. 1773-Tea Act; Boston Tea Party (p. 194)8. 1774-Intolerable Acts (p. 194)9. 1774 –First Continental Congress convenes in Philadelphia (p. 195)10. 1775-Battles (skirmishes) of Lexington and Concord (Massachusetts) (p. 197)11. 1775-Second Continental Congress convenes in Philadelphia (p. 197)12. 1775-Battle of Breed’s Hill (Bunker Hill) (Massachusetts) (p. 198)13. 1775-Olive Branch Petition to King George III (p. 199)14. 1776-Tom Paine’s Common Sense (p. 199)15. 1776-Declaration of Independence (Thomas Jefferson, author) (p. 202)
Chapter 5, The American Revolution, 1763-1783: The Declaration of Independence
On July 2, 1776, the Second Continental Congress declared the United States an independent nation. “Let Freedom Ring!”
On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress formally approved the Declaration of Independence as written by Thomas Jefferson (and heavily revised by the Congress.)
Most of the Declaration comprised a long list of grievances against King George III, including quartering troops in colonists’ homes and imposing taxes without the colonists’ consent (No Taxation Without Representation.)
The colonists’ complained loudly that Britain’s goal was to “establish complete tyranny” over the colonies.
The lasting impact of the Declaration itself had much to do with Jefferson’s style of writing.
Give Me Liberty!: An American history, 3rd EditionCopyright © 2011 W.W. Norton & Company
An early draft, with corrections, of theDeclaration of Independence
Chapter 5, The American Revolution, 1763-1783: The Declaration of Independence
The preamble to the Declaration of Independence contains the most moving and oft-quoted words in the entire document:
“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.”
IN HIS JUSTIFICATION OF THE BREACH WITH BRITAIN, THE MOTHER COUNTRY, JEFFERSON ALSO CLAIMED:
that governments existed through the “consent of the governed, ” and that people have the authority and right to alter or abolish oppressive governments, which meant that ultimately…
the Declaration of Independence is the outright assertion of the right to revolt.
Chapter 5, The American Revolution, 1763-1783: The Declaration of Independence
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uE-tqe0xsQ• The Declaration of Independence (as read by Max McLean) (10m)
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNOTozVp_i4• The Passing of The Declaration of Independence - John Adams –
HBO (7m)
Chapter 5, The American Revolution, 1763-1783: The Declaration and American Freedom
In his writing, Jefferson claimed that “The Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God” justified independence.
Jefferson’s writings drew on the language of John Locke., who believed that government was a SOCIAL CONTRACT with the people.
Jefferson’s writing, including the right to the “pursuit of happiness” was unique to the Declaration of Independence, and created an idea of America as a NEW, FREE, and VISIONARY state.
Give Me Liberty!: An American history, 3rd EditionCopyright © 2011 W.W. Norton & CompanyAmerica as a symbol of liberty
Chapter 5, The American Revolution, 1763-1783: An Asylum for Mankind
The idea of American “exceptionalism” was prevalent in the Revolutionary era.
American “exceptionalism” was the idea that the United States had a special mission to serve as a refuge from tyranny, a bastion of freedom, and a model for the rest of the world to emulate.
Tom Paine referred to the new United States of America as an “Asylum for Mankind.”
He also wrote in Common Sense:“We have it in our power to make the world over again.”
Jefferson wrote the Declaration for the “Opinions of Mankind” reflecting the GLOBAL relevance of America’s independence.
Classwork Friday October 161. PPT, The American Revolution, 1763-1783: The Declaration of Independence through An
Asylum for Mankind, pp. 202-204.
2. Digital History document analysis: “Was the Revolution Justified?”Read the online document and write a brief essay explaining why (or why not) the
American Revolution was justified.
http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/disp_textbook.cfm?smtid=2&psid=3218
If you do not finish this in class, do not rush. Finish at home and hand in on Monday for a classwork grade.
Note: Project due today by 3 p.m. No exceptions.
No homework
Enjoy your weekend.