Foundational Documents For U.S History

The Enlightenment

This was an era that took place during the 18th century in which a culture developed that emphasized questioning tradition, authority. Reason was an important value.

Cesare Beccaria

A person who changed people’s views on justice and human rights. He wrote a famous book called On Crime and Punishments which questioned torture and discovered most people who were tortured and confessed were actually innocent. His ideas would later influence the US constitution and how the United States of America handles punishment and crime.

The Principia

A book written. By Issac Newton that had a formula for gravity and had an explanation on how everything in the universe moves. This book had a huge impact for the start of the enlightenment giving people a vision of the universe and realizing they can prove things rather than speculate.

The Glorious Revolution

In 1688, the king of England would be driven out by the people who would end up appointing Mary (Jame’s daughter) and William to watch over them. The only catch was the monarchy would be limited in power and it would be English Parliament that ruled over the people.

Parliament

A supreme law-making body or legislature that made or changed laws.

The English Bill of Rights

Passed in 1689, it gave people living in England natural rights such as the freedom of speech, freedom to bear arms, freedom from cruel or unusual punishments, habeas corpus (The police must tell you what you were arrested for), freedom to petition the kind, and only elected representatives can levy taxes. These ideas would be present for when the United States would make their own bill of rights.

John Locke

A physician who was excited for the new English form of government and believed that the best government would be a government who was able to protect the people. He would write a book with his ideas in 1690 and his idea of people having the natural born rights of life, liberty, and property was present in the Declaration of Independence.

The French and Indian War

Causes of the American Revolution

Events such as the Boston Massacre (1770), Boston Tea Party (1773), and the battle of Lexington (1775) are examples of the increased tension with Britain. One of the main reasons the people of America wanted to separate from Great Britain was because they levy taxes without representing them in Congress.

Causes of the Enlightenment

The 2 Major Events are the publication of the Principia by Issac Newton in 1687 and the Glorious revolution of 1688.

Effect of enlightment on witchcraft

Fewer people were being accused of witchcraft

The Constitution

Law of the land

Articles of Confederation

Weak federal government and strong federal governments.