Summary of "PHILOSOPHICAL Foundations of the American Revolution [APUSH Review Unit 3 Topic 4 (3.4)] Period 3"

Main Ideas and Concepts

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.
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.
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
1. Engagement with British Authority: Colonists petitioned for rights as loyal subjects.
2. Rising Discontent: Increased legislative control by Britain led to a desire for liberty.
3. Influence of Enlightenment Ideas: Philosophers like Locke, Rousseau, and Montesquieu shaped colonial thought.
4. Paine's Common Sense: This pamphlet crystallized the call for independence among the masses.
5. Declaration of Independence: The formal Declaration of Independence was drafted and adopted, marking a definitive break from Britain.