Fundamental Documents (US history)

Glorious revolution

A revolution that created a constitutional monarchy where the “king and queen” get a royal life style, but the English people get the power. They summarize their new role of government as one that protects the right of the people.

The enlightenment

A period of time in which people start to question tradition and authority. A big part of this government questioning is the ban of torture and unusual punishment (such as witch accusations and accusations without evidence)

English bill of rights

A document that’s states all people have,

• Freedom of speech

• Freedom to bear arms ins self defense

• Freedom from cruel and unusual punishment

• Habeas Corpus

• Freedom to petition the king

• Only elected representatives can levy taxes

Isaac Newton

A philosopher and writer who discovered and described the concept of gravity. He was one of the first individuals to look into how space and atmosphere affect earth, and the very first to publish a book about these ideas.

John Locke

Got banished from England by King James, but made a return when the new English government was established. He was a writer and philosopher.

John Locke

Believed everyone had three born rights.

• Life

• Libertyy

• Property

13 original colonies

The colonies were now free from British taxing, meaning they could buy, sell, and export goods without any extra expense. Geographically the principal cities were all along the coast which meant all poor people had to flee westward into Native territory. Despite being free, they still had territory around them owned by European nations, such as New York (which when owned by the Dutch was called New Amsterdam)

States named after historically important people

• Charleston South Carolina named after King Charles the second

• Georgia named after King George

• Virginia named after Queen Elizabeth the first (aka the virgin queen who refused to marry)

The French Indian war (Britain vs France over North American territory)

Not only did the poor run into unfriendly Natives when exploring west, but French settlers as well. In the French owned territories, there were cities rather than colonies and due to their friendliness to the Natives, during that war, majority (or so the French thought) of Natives joined the French side.

Who won the French and Indian war?

Despite was the French thought with strength in numbers, England had more funds, and put more into the war than the French. They also convinced natives to join their side, promising benefits. So in the end, the English won.

The result of Englands victory. :TAXES

Everything had added costs BUT British tea, which if wanted forced the US to support British. The finally came up with, NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION!

What all was taxed?

Despite the English bill, the English’s lost funds were made up with taxes put on the US. Stamp taxes taxed all paper goods, Tea tax taxed all American tea, and ship taxt taxed anything that needed to be shipped.

Important Boston events

• Boston massacre, 1770

• Boston tea party, 1773

• Battle of Lexington green, 1775

Thomas Jefferson

He believed everyone had three born rights,

• Life

• Liberty

• Pursuit of Happiness

Thomas Jefferson

Despite this individual owning slaves, their deleted statement placed the blame on the king of England, saying he was responsible for all slavery and inequality.

Why July 4th?

We don’t remember the vote, we remember the document.

(Hence why we celebrate the Fourth of July vs the Second)

Articles of Confederation

Despite having a weak federal government, our individual state governments were strong. Problems such as “all 13 colonies must approve of a law.

Big issues with the Article

Connecticut and New Jersey team up to try and start war with New York due to the Tariffs being placed.

Articles of confederation wins

Previously off limit territory was now being discovered and explored. People were pushing westward past the Appellation mountains. Suddenly, the idea of new states got attention.

The northwest ordinance

• There must be 60,000 free (non enslaved) inhabitants to create a new state

• No slavery in newly formed territories

• Bill of rights must include religious freedom

• Public education is MANDATORY

Famous words from Benjamin Franklin

Have you given us a monarch or a republic? “We have given you a republic, if you can keep it”.

Baron de Montesquieu

Wrote “The Spirits of The Laws” which stated no individual must have all the power, and they absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Legislative branch

Makes laws and Contains Senators,

• Each state gets two

• Must be at least thirty

• Serve six year terms

And The House of Representatives,

• Must be at least twenty five

• Amount depends on population of that individual state

• Serve two year terms

Executive Branch

Contains the president and enforces these laws.

Judicial branch

Has the Supreme Court who interprets the laws and,

• There are about 9 justices

• Must be appointed by the president and approved by senate

• They are a justice for life

Presidents that committed crimes for americas future

Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Rosevelt and London B Johnson.

Democrat party

• Liberal

• Divided power

• Blue

• Donkey

Republican Party

• Conservative

• More power to the people

• Red

• Elephant

What they didn’t consider in the constitution

Political parties. If there is a republican president, the Republicans on senate, or house may think they can do more things, and have more likely chance of getting the president on their side. Democrats may then see this as a threat and start being cautious, like their coworkers are now on the opposite team.

Is it really Republican Vs Democrat?

No. We live in a democracy where political party shouldn’t define an individual. For instance if a liberal meets a conservative, they might automatically think they like President Trump (who they might disagree with). For the most part Democrats voted blue, but some voted red, and vice versa.