APUSH 3.4: Philosophical Foundations of the American Revolution

What was the second meeting of the delegates called?

The continental congress

When did the continental Congress meet?

1774

Who was present at the continental Congress?

All states but Georgia

In the beginning, was revolution and independence the answer?

No, the colonists hoped that there was some agreement they could come to that would protect their liberty w/o disrupting their society and economy.

Who was John Locke? What did he write?

He deeply influenced the leaders of the colonial delegation and wrote two treatises of government

What does “consent of the governed” mean? Who?

John Locke belief: That the power to govern is in the hands of the people and not in the hands of a monarch;

What are natural rights?

John Locke belief: That natural rights are not granted by the king, but rather by the Creator; since those rights were not granted by the government, they could not take them away.

What were the three aspects of John Locke’s natural rights?

Life, liberty, and property

What is Self-rule?

John Locke belief: via elected representatives rather than hereditary privilege or inherited offices like in Britain

What inspired the American Revolution?

The Enlightenment

Who was Jean-Jacques Rousseau? What is his idea?

The social contract: given that the power to govern is in the hands of the people, then that means they are in a social contract with their government. (people give up their power to government, in return, government agrees to protect peoples’ natural rights.)

Who was Montesquieu? What was his idea?

He inspired people to believe a Republican form of government was the best to protect peoples liberties—he argued for the government to be split into the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

What was common sense by Thomas Paine?

Focused on how colonies must become independent from Great Britain and establish their own Democratic republic based on consent of the governed.

When was the second continental Congress?

1776

What was the second continental Congress about?

A meeting of delegates from the thirteen colonies, made to resolve conflicts with Britain, but ultimately led to the declaration of independence

Who composed the declaration of Independence?

Thomas Jefferson

When did Delegates accept the declaration?

July 2, 1776, it was made public on the fourth

What does the declaration of Independence lead to?

The revolutionary war with Britain