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Enlightenment and the Rise of Democratic Ideas

Enlightenment and the Rise of Democratic Ideas. Caroline Kublin EDSC 307 History-Social Science Content Standard 11.1. The American Revolution. Lasted from 1775–1783

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Enlightenment and the Rise of Democratic Ideas

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  1. Enlightenment and the Rise of Democratic Ideas Caroline Kublin EDSC 307 History-Social Science Content Standard 11.1

  2. The American Revolution • Lasted from 1775–1783 • The 13 colonies joined together to defend their respective self-governance and manage the armed conflict against the British to gain independence • Lead to the formation of the Declaration of Independence

  3. The Declaration of Independence • Adopted on July 4, 1776 • Announced that the thirteen American colonies were now independent states and no longer a part of the British Empire • Written by Thomas Jefferson • “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.” • These words are the influence of the Enlightenment Period. What do these words mean to you?

  4. Articles of Confederation • Established in 1781 • The first “constitution” of the United States • The Articles set the rules for making war and negotiating diplomatic agreements, and “the Union shall be perpetual.” • George Washington and Alexander Hamilton felt that the Articles lacked the necessary provisions for a sufficiently effective government. • There was no president or executive agencies or judiciary • There was no tax base. • There was no way to pay off state and national debts • In 1788, with the approval of Congress, the Articles were replaced by the United States Constitution and the new government began operations in 1789.

  5. The Constitution • Adopted 1787 • The supreme law of the United States and is the framework for the organization of its government. • It defines the relationship of the federal government with the states, citizens, and all people within the United States. • The Constitution has been amended twenty-seven times; the first ten amendments are known as the Bill of Rights.

  6. Where did the ideas come from that lead to the formation of the Bill of Rights? • The English Bill of Rights (1689) was an inspiration for the American Bill of Rights. • The focus is on religious freedom, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly. • The right to bear arms, protection against double jeopardy, and protection against self-incrimination. • Rights reserved to the States.

  7. ACTIVITY • Get into small groups (4 people) to a group and create your own Bill of Rights. • Answer the following questions: • What rights are important to you and why? Write them down. • What influences your decision on what is important? Past experience, family heritage, etc. • Vote for one person from the group to read these rights to the class. What influenced your decision to vote for them to present? • Stay in small groups and discuss the following questions presented in the power point. Put your ideas in the KWL handout.

  8. Importance/Contributions/Value of the Influence of the Enlightenment Period • What do think the impact of these documents have upon our lives today? • Some examples are the right to vote, own property, choice of profession, right to an education…

  9. What if a different kind of government was established – socialist or communist? • More revolutions? • More discontent? • Extreme poverty and extreme wealth? • Elimination of the “middle class?” • Other ideas?

  10. What could the next step be in our democratic process of government? • Should non-native born citizens be eligible for the presidency? • Should bicameralism give way to tri-cameralism or quad-cameralism? • Expansion of the 2-party system and give other parties an opportunity at the presidency? • Right of citizens extended to non-citizens? • Other thoughts?

  11. Conclusion • What do you think is the most important aspect of our democratic society? • Which document encapsulates that and why? • Where do you think we will be in another 200 years?

  12. Resources • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Revolution • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Constitution • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Declaration_of_Independence

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