... Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”, while our Constitution encourages a “separation of powers” that keeps the governing bodies from assuming total control over the governed. Some of these ideas are also highlighted in Thomas Paine’s Common Sense, which was written as a means to convince the citizens of the colonies to secede from the oppressive Great Britain. While we take great pride in the fact that the likes of Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and George Mason employed these ideas in the forging of the United States, these ideas were not their own. In fact, they were utilized by men that existed long before the founding fathers were born. Men like John Locke, Charles de Montesquieu, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau held these beliefs and articulated them in many of their works, which the founders would use centuries later as references in the drafting of our founding documents. So, it’s only fair that we take an in-depth look at how these three men influenced the founders of our great country. When John Locke wrote the Second Treatise of Civil Government, a movement called the Exclusion Crisis introduced the Exclusion Bill, a document that aimed to prevent James II of England from ascending to the throne through hereditary means. It is believed that Locke wrote his treatise to support the bill, so it can be said that Locke’s belief in leaders “by the consent and...
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...The most revolutionary idea by far is that of personal freedoms and liberty. Before the enlightenment few individuals had ever thought of such a bold idea as freedom. Before great minds like John Locke, Baron de Montesquieu, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Voltaire having undeniable rights seemed virtually impossible. Before societies like that of the Greeks and Romans, revolutionaries like Thomas Jefferson, Simon Bolivar, James Madison, Thomas Paine, George Washington and Maximilien Robespierre would not have been able to design functioning constitutions for their perspective countries. Without Freedom we today would not have the choice of what school to attend, where to work, and who we associate ourselves with. Not only has the idea behind liberty, freedom, and rights made a huge difference in the world, it has led to more individualized ideas such as abolitionism and civil rights. Without these ideas where would be as a global society? Without the idea of protecting the freedom of ourselves and others Hitler would have never been conquered, the Jews never been freed, Africans Americans never been given the right to vote and...
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...Hugo Grotius and John Comenius were the first to question tradition and propose improvements. Thomas Hobbes was an author who was in favor of autocracy, writing of how people were self-serving and cruel. John Locke was libertarian who believed strongly in representative government. Baron de Montesquieu was famous for his ideas about the separation of power. Jean-Jacques Rousseau advocated for a small, direct democracy, similar to the Athenian system. Finally, David Hume was known for his extreme skepticism and some credit him to persuading thinkers into a shift away from rational thought. A trend that emerged in the works of these aforementioned authors included a call for change in government, whether it be structurally or ideologically. Humanitarianism arose as well, specifically the view that those who are more fortunate should help those less fortunate. Another key trend was recurring emphasis on reason and individualism. The most famous and influential documents of the time were Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations, John Locke’s Two Treatises of Government, “What is Enlightenment?” by Immanuel Kant, Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s The Social Contract, Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes and Common Sense by Thomas...
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...The American Revolution was a major turning point in American history that represented an evolutionary change in ideals and principles. Several political, economic, and ideological aspects had contributed to this revolution including, England’s Salutary Neglect, mercantilism, and the influences of the Enlightenment. The political aspect of the American Revolution starts with Salutary Neglect. For over 150 years (from 1609 up until 1763), the British had an unofficial, undocumented policy that would keep the colonists loyal to the mother country by allowing them to govern themselves as they please. It was mainly used not to enforce any trading laws on the colonists. The British allowed the colonists to form colonial assemblies; these were meetings between the colonists to discuss any issues that were concerning them as well as any ideas that they had in mind. The assembly had an appointed governor and helped political growth throughout the colonies. This unofficial policy came to an end in 1763 when the British nearly lost the French and Indian War. They immediately imposed new tax policies on the colonists to make up for the damage caused during the nine years of war. An economic factor that had a role in the revolution/evolution was Mercantilism. 120 years prior to the American Revolution, the British imposed a policy that was known as “Mercantilism”. It was an economic theory that in order for a certain to have economic growth, that nation must export more...
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...treatises are still of great importance till nowadays, and they inspired the Enlightenment thinkers such as Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, David Hume, Montesquieu and Thomas Jefferson who borrowed many ideas from Cicero. One of the most important figures in discussing the notion of public opinion was the political philosopher Thomas Hobbes. He claimed that in every state there should be a communication from the citizens to the government, because he considered the people as the main part to form a state, in which there is a contract between the leaders and the citizens. After the death of Hobbes, the British scholar John Locke composed Two Treatises of Government that were written in 1690, in which he did not accept the idea that kings and queens had a "divine right" to rule others, therefore he presented a theory in politics which claims that governments should be created among free people as social contracts. Moreover, he argued that the leaders got their power from the consent of the governed, and held their power as public trust, and the people can judge the performance of the government, the standard he named as public opinion. Furthermore, he stated that the role of the state is to use its power to control people and protect their rights including life, freedom, and property, and in return people can rebel against their government if the latter did not protect them. Locke also stated that the government should be separated into various branches and each branch should have limited...
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...for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America”(The constitution,1787). In article one, it talks of the representation of all the states and rotational election of senators(which I think is important in a democratic government) as well as the making of the necessary laws empowering the government in its execution of the constitution. In article two, it points out clearly that the president has to be a natural born citizen of this country(one of the ongoing political issues with the republicans that the current president is not). Section four of the same article emphasizes on what Thomas Jefferson said in our earlier readings that a government that is destructive of society,or does not conduct or...
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...Joey Abualrob American Revolution Persuasive Essay The American Revolutionary War forever changed the idea of a government “of the people, by the people, and for the people” and took the first steps in bringing an end to the world’s last great true empire. The reasons the Americans decided to break free from Great Britain are numerous, but the British Empire’s sense of superiority was the most important reason. Also important was the failure of the British Parliament to address the needs and growing discontent of Americans weary of “taxation without representation.” Colonists also began to oppose rule from Britain because of ideas developing in new intellectual schools of thought like the Enlightenment. King George III’s arrogance was well founded in the 1760s, but it led to poor decision making. Early in his reign, the British had resoundingly defeated France in the Seven Years’ War to become the dominant power both in North America and on the Asian subcontinent. This dominance clearly created a false sense of security and as the British Empire continued to grow, its central authority, or ability to control its ever-expanding colonies, weakened significantly. Great Britain’s failure to recognize its weaknesses and its foolish decision to respond to every colonial expression of discontent with a tightening of the noose effectively sealed it into an everescalatingspiral of conflict. The conflict could have been avoided and King George III could have...
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...People can figure out human nature laws by using logic. 3. The Great Awakening a. renewed Christian faith b. both the Enlightenment and the Great Awakening emphasized individualism that inclined American colonists toward political independence. 4. John Locke a. He people were born with certain natural rights, the rights to liberty, life, and property. B. Causes of the American Revolution | Date | Definition | Effect on Colonists | What did the colonists do? | Stamp Act | 1765 | Stamp placed on printed material | It was a direct tax | Sons of liberty organized meetings and protests | Townshend Act | 1746 | Tax on imported items. ex. glass, paper, paint, and tea. | Tax on items | Boycott on British goods. | Intolerable Act | 1774 | Various acts the British govt. passed. ex. Tea Act, Quebec Act. | Freedom of land Effected merchants | Colonies decide to boycott British goods. | C. Leading to Revolution/ Declaring Independence 1. Olive Branch petition a. July 1775 Petition to King George to affirm loyalty to him and ask for a peaceful settlement . b. King George refused to accept the letter. 2. Common Sense, by Thomas Paine a. Published 1776, 47 page pamphlet, which made a case for independence, and that no one should be ruled by a king. 3. Declaration of Independence a. July 4, 1776, A letter declaring the 13 colonies Independence from the British. D. Major Battles/ Ending...
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...Thomas Jefferson was who authored extraordinary words and it was there words that changed a nation. Jefferson’s ability to write made him prominent author of write the Declaration of Independence, (among other significant works). Jefferson’s writings reflected on the rights of mankind and what rights a government must offer its people. His use of words to fight for Human rights makes him one of the greatest American Hero’s. Thomas Jefferson’s writings on basic human rights caused a radical shift in American Colonist thoughts and these stunning ideas would influence the Americans to break away from Great Britain. “As a boy, Thomas Jefferson’s was shy and often tongue-tied…Preferred the company of books to that of most people.” (Wilmore, 1) These were words to describe the young Jefferson; his childhood would prove to be a key in shaping the man, who through his words would change a nation. Jefferson was born on April 13th 1743, in Shadwell Virginia. During his childhood he would spend 15 hours each day reading and writing, this would prove to make his writing skills at a high level (1). As he grew into an adult he would study law in his home of Virginia at the William and Mary College at Williamsburg (Bottorff, 15). During this time he would become a member of the Whig party and would advocate for the rights and liberties of mankind (Peterson, 1). It was in his childhood and as turned into an adult which he learned how to write and how to express his political views through words...
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... "We the People . . ." 3. Ch01-003-p005 Which of the following is the best explanation of why most American Indian reservations are in the West today? b. European settlers and the U.S. government pushed Indian tribes westward. 4. Ch01-004-p006 Enlightenment thinkers argued that the world could be improved through b. human reason, science, and religious toleration. 5. Ch01-005-p007 The House of Burgesses was c. the first representative assembly in North America. 6. Ch01-006-p008 A social contract theory of government was proposed by d. Locke and Hobbes. 7. Ch01-007-p009 Locke's Second Treatise on Civil Government sets out a theory of e. natural rights. 8. Ch01-008-p010 Congress's authority to check the president's judicial appointment power is a concept that can be attributed largely to the ideas of d. Charles-Louis, the Second Baron of Montesquieu. 9. Ch01-009-p010 Why was indirect democracy a necessary alternative to direct democracy? b. It became increasingly difficult to bring all the colonists together in the decision-making process. 10. Ch01-010-p010 Aristotle attempted to devise a way to classify governments. Critical to his analyses was knowledge of d. whom citizens were ruled by and in whose interest. 11. Ch01-011-p011 In an oligarchy, rule is by b. the few. 12. Ch01-012-p011 American political culture embodies many key concepts including I. absolute personal liberty. II...
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...foundation for the government of the United States. The Constitution was written in 1787. This was four years after the U.S. signed a peace treaty with Great Britain. This peace treaty gave the thirteen British colonies their independence. They formed a new country, the United States of America. The men who wrote the Constitution are called our “Founding Fathers.” Some of them were: George Washington, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, Gouveneur Morris, and Benjamin Franklin. The Founding Fathers took ideas from many places. They took parts from their state constitutions. They took parts of Britain’s Magna Carta. They studied the governments of ancient Greece and Rome. They got ideas from philosophers such as Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Charles de Montesquieu and Thomas Paine. They used some ideas from Iroquois Indians union of tribes. Cover painting; “The Signing of the Constitution” by Chandler Howard Christie hangs in the House of representatives...Courtesy TeachingAmericanHistory.com 2 The Constitution in Simple English ©2010 Elizabeth Claire, Inc Fifty-five delegates from twelve states met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in May 1787. These delegates had come to fix the Articles of Confederation. The Articles of Confederation had held the states together during the War for Independence. However, it was not strong enough to hold the states together after that. Soon the delegates saw that the Articles of Confederation could not be fixed. They had to write a...
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...AP World History Survival Guide Name ________________________________ Teacher __________________________ Block _________________ Table of Contents | Pages | AP World History Overview | 3 – 7 | The AP Exam | 3 | World Regions | 4 – 5 | Five Course Themes | 6 | Four Historical Thinking Skills | 7 | Essays Overview | 8 - 15 | Document-based Question (DBQ) | 8 – 12 | Change and Continuity over Time (CCOT) | 13 – 15 | Comparative Essay | 16 – 18 | Released Free Response Questions | 19 – 20 | AP Curriculum Framework | 21 – 38 | Period 1 (Up to 600 B.C.E.)—5% | 21 – 22 | Period 2 (600 B.C.E. to 600 C.E.)—15% | 23 – 25 | Period 3 (600 to 1450)—20% | 26 – 28 | Period 4 (1450 to 1750)—20% | 29 – 31 | Period 5 (1750 to 1900)—20% | 32 – 35 | Period 6 (1900 to the present)—20% | 36 – 38 | Help with Some Confusing Subjects | 39 – 43 | Chinese Dynasties | 39 | Political, Economic, and Social Systems | 40 | Religions | 41 | Primary Sources | 42 | “Must Know” Years | 43 | * Many of the guidelines in this study packet are adapted from the AP World History Course Description, developed by College Board. The AP Exam Purchasing and taking the AP World History exam are requirements of the course. This year, the AP World History exam will be administered on: ___________________________________________ Format I. Multiple...
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...AP World History Survival Guide Name ________________________________ Teacher __________________________ Block _________________ Table of Contents | Pages | AP World History Overview | 3 – 7 | The AP Exam | 3 | World Regions | 4 – 5 | Five Course Themes | 6 | Four Historical Thinking Skills | 7 | Essays Overview | 8 - 15 | Document-based Question (DBQ) | 8 – 12 | Change and Continuity over Time (CCOT) | 13 – 15 | Comparative Essay | 16 – 18 | Released Free Response Questions | 19 – 20 | AP Curriculum Framework | 21 – 38 | Period 1 (Up to 600 B.C.E.)—5% | 21 – 22 | Period 2 (600 B.C.E. to 600 C.E.)—15% | 23 – 25 | Period 3 (600 to 1450)—20% | 26 – 28 | Period 4 (1450 to 1750)—20% | 29 – 31 | Period 5 (1750 to 1900)—20% | 32 – 35 | Period 6 (1900 to the present)—20% | 36 – 38 | Help with Some Confusing Subjects | 39 – 43 | Chinese Dynasties | 39 | Political, Economic, and Social Systems | 40 | Religions | 41 | Primary Sources | 42 | “Must Know” Years | 43 | * Many of the guidelines in this study packet are adapted from the AP World History Course Description, developed by College Board. The AP Exam Purchasing and taking the AP World History exam are requirements of the course. This year, the AP World History exam will be administered on: ___________________________________________ Format I. Multiple...
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...I. “REVOLUŢIA GLORIOASĂ” 1. ORIGINILE REVOLUŢIEI ENGLEZE Anglia secolului XVI cunoscuse o rapidă dezvoltare industrială bazată pe meşteşuguri, comerţ, minerit şi transporturi, concomitent cu apariţia fermei de tip capitalist bazat pe fenomenul „împrejmuirilor”. In 1603, la moartea Elisabetei I, tronul englez a revenit regelu Scoţiei, Iacob I Stuart. Ocuparea tronului de către Stuarţi aducea modificări importante în Anglia, unde Tudorii guvernaseră ca monarhi absoluţi, graţie abilităţii şi personalităţii lor. Stuarţii urmăreau instaurarea unui absolutism de drept, ceea ce contravenea realităţilor politice din Anglia, unde Parlamentul - format din Camera Comunelor şi Camera Lorzilor - împărţea puterea cu monarhia. Atât Iacob I, cât şi fiul său, Carol I (1625-1649), au încercat să guverneze fără a convoca Parlamentul, cu ajutorul Consiliului Privat, pe ai cărui membri îi numeau sau revocau după bunul lor plac. Ei legiferau prin proclamaţii regale şi exercitau puterea juridică prin Camera înstelată şi Curtea înaltei Comisiuni. Stuarţii agreau catolicismul într-o ţară anglicană, unde se dezvoltase mişcarea numită puritanism, care urmărea înlăturarea oricărei rămăşiţe a catolicismului.Apar contradicţii între absolutismul monarhic al regilor din familia Stuart(Iacob I şi Carol I), susţinut de vechea aristocraţie şi regimul parlamentar susţinut de Londra, burghezie şi noua nobilime. În plan religios biserica anglicană se confruntă cu curentele radicale protestante ce solicită înlăturarea...
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...Theories of International Relations Third edition Scott Burchill, Andrew Linklater, Richard Devetak, Jack Donnelly, Matthew Paterson, Christian Reus-Smit and Jacqui True Theories of International Relations This page intentionally left blank Theories of International Relations Third edition Scott Burchill, Andrew Linklater, Richard Devetak, Jack Donnelly, Matthew Paterson, Christian Reus-Smit and Jacqui True Material from 1st edition © Deakin University 1995, 1996 Chapter 1 © Scott Burchill 2001, Scott Burchill and Andrew Linklater 2005 Chapter 2 © Jack Donnelly 2005 Chapter 3 © Scott Burchill, Chapters 4 and 5 © Andrew Linklater, Chapters 6 and 7 © Richard Devetak, Chapter 8 © Christian Reus-Smit, Chapter 9 © Jacqui True, Chapter 10 © Matthew Paterson 2001, 2005 All rights reserved. No reproduction, copy or transmission of this publication may be made without written permission. No paragraph of this publication may be reproduced, copied or transmitted save with written permission or in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, or under the terms of any licence permitting limited copying issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency, 90 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 4LP. Any person who does any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages. The authors have asserted their rights to be identified as the authors of this work in accordance with the Copyright...
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