Summary of PHILOSOPHICAL Foundations of the American Revolution [APUSH Review Unit 3 Topic 4 (3.4)] Period 3
Main Ideas and Concepts
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Colonial Attitudes Before the Revolution
- Colonial delegates initially approached the British Parliament as loyal subjects seeking redress, not revolution.
- The desire for liberty grew out of increasing legislative tyranny from Britain, leading to a shift in attitudes.
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Influence of Enlightenment Thinkers
- The Enlightenment provided the philosophical foundation for colonial resistance against British authority.
- Key Enlightenment figures and their ideas include:
- John Locke
- Government's legitimacy comes from the consent of the governed.
- Natural rights (life, liberty, property) are inherent and cannot be taken away by the government.
- Advocated for self-rule through elected representatives.
- Jean-Jacques Rousseau
- Proposed the concept of a social contract where the government must protect the people's natural rights.
- Laws not consented to by the people are deemed invalid.
- Baron de Montesquieu
- Suggested a separation of powers within government to prevent tyranny, advocating for three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial.
- John Locke
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Shift in Sentiment Leading to Revolution
- Despite initial loyalty to Britain, sentiments began to shift significantly by 1776.
- The publication of Common Sense by Thomas Paine played a pivotal role in galvanizing public support for independence.
- Paine's work articulated the desire for independence in accessible language and drew on Enlightenment principles.
- The Second Continental Congress eventually led to the drafting and adoption of the Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson, which echoed Enlightenment ideas.
Methodology/Instructions
- Understanding the Shift in Colonial Attitudes
- Recognize the initial loyalty of colonists to Britain and their hope for reconciliation.
- Identify the key Enlightenment thinkers and their contributions to revolutionary thought.
- Analyze how public sentiment changed through influential writings, particularly Thomas Paine's Common Sense.
- Key Steps in the Revolutionary Process
- Engagement with British Authority: Colonists petitioned for rights as loyal subjects.
- Rising Discontent: Increased legislative control by Britain led to a desire for liberty.
- Influence of Enlightenment Ideas: Philosophers like Locke, Rousseau, and Montesquieu shaped colonial thought.
- Paine's Common Sense: This pamphlet crystallized the call for independence among the masses.
- Declaration of Independence: The formal Declaration of Independence was drafted and adopted, marking a definitive break from Britain.
Speakers/Sources Featured
- Heimler (the presenter of the video)
- John Locke (philosopher)
- Jean-Jacques Rousseau (philosopher)
- Baron de Montesquieu (philosopher)
- Thomas Paine (author of Common Sense)
- Thomas Jefferson (author of the Declaration of Independence)
- John Adams (commented on Common Sense)
Notable Quotes
— 04:42 — « Paine used biblical examples to show the folly of monarchy, going so far as to call it 'the most bare-faced falsity ever imposed on mankind.' Which is why I strive to be the most hairy-faced truthity ever imposed on mankind. You know, you gotta have goals. »
— 05:24 — « What a poor, ignorant, malicious, crapulous mass. »
— 06:29 — « If, by chance, you didn’t think this video was a poor, ignorant, crapulous mass, then go ahead and subscribe and I’ll keep making them for you. »
Category
Educational