Chapter 17: The Enlightenment & the American Revolution

The colonies had been retaliating for the lack of rights they had compared to British citizens that they believe they should've had. Acts like the Stamp Act made people angry causing colonists to say "No taxation without representation". This along with many acts following caused the rift between Britain and its colonies, which led to war.

Describe society and politics in the 13 English colonies during the mid-1700s.

Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence which reflected the ideas of "natural rights of which Enlightenment thinker John Locke, The Declaration of Independence was written in the form of a Lawyer's Complaint in a Lawsuit that lists grievances against King George III and claimed that it was the Colonist's right to form a new Gov't because England was unwilling to protect their natural rights.

Discuss the making of the Declaration of Independence.

The laissez faire is a policy allowing business to operate with little or no government interference. Natural law is used to reform economy by using laissez faire so the economy can grow with no interference by the government

Explain the connection between the policy of laissez faire and natural economic laws.

Baroque is the ornate style of art and architecture popular in the 1600s and 1700s and Rocco is the personal, elegant style of art and architecture made popular during the mid-1700s that featured designs with the shapes of leaves, shells, and flowers. Baroque painting were huge, colorful, and full of excitement. They glorified historic battles or saints lives. Rocco art moved away from religion, was lighter, elegant, charming, and encouraged imagination.

Explain the differences between baroque and rococo, and how these styles were reflected in art.

The people of the colonies during the Mid-1700s were mainly for commercial gain of Britain, due to navigation acts smuggling was common but wasn't seen as a a crime in view of the colonists. Wealthy landowners ad merchants dominated society. In politics there was a good deal of free discussion, they felt they were entitled to the same rights as English citizens. Colonial assemblies exercised much control over local affairs, hand many had the sense of their own destiny separate from Britain.

Explain why conflict between the colonists and Britain increased after 1763.

The Bill of Rights is the cornerstone of our Constitution, being the first ten amendments to the Constitution, which is an important passage to the Constitution. It is important to me because it used the ideas of thinkers from the Enlightenment like Montesquieu whose ideas of the three speared branches of powers were also used in the foundation of our country's government. It has endured over 200 years and recognizes the idea that people have basic rights that the government must protect like freedom of religion, speech and press. The Constitution, which was forged from the Bill of Rights, has inspired other European countries like France to rebel in the name of liberty and equality.

Give at least two examples of why the Bill of Rights is important to America's government.

Joseph Priestley & Antoine Lavoisier worked to create modern chemistry. Also, Edward Jenner developed a smallpox vaccination.

Give examples of how people made advancements in science.

The success of the Renaissance Scientists using reason to discover natural laws for gravity and motion created a confidence in the power of reason. Enlightenment thinkers will use reason to discover natural laws about government, human nature(way we do things and way we're made) and society(communities and customs).

How did Enlightenment thinkers use reason differently than scientists during the Renaissance?

He enforced harsh tax laws which eventually triggered the American Revolution due to harsh taxes+no representation in Parliament. He lost support at home in England because of the Colonies Victory, he also began to suffer from mental illness. In order to save the country, the Cabinet was restored

How did King George III's royal power crumble(fall)?

The scientific revolution changed the way people saw things, they believed any problem could be solved. Contributions from the scientific revolution like Edward Jenner's vaccine for smallpox just added to these beliefs. Natural law is the rules of conduct discoverable by reason, and they governed scientific forces such as gravity and magnetism.

How did the achievements of the Scientific Revolution contribute to the Enlightenment?

In the age of reason such ideas as divine right rule and strict class system was unscientific and irrational. A just society should ensure social justice land happiness in the world

How did the ideas of a "just society" change during the Age of Reason?

Enlightenment ideas borrowed from Locke, Montesquieu and Rousseau. This document : 1) was seen as a Social Contract ; 2) it required an elected leader rather than a here today monarch 3) power was separated between 3 branches-Executive, legislative, and Judical.

In the Constitution, what ideas by Locke, Montesquieu and Rousseau are included?

Peasants started to learn about equality some may act upon this starting a revolution and causing riots and upheavals in the name of the enlightened reform or in the cause of equality.

What actions might peasants take as they learn more about ideas such as equality?

1)Geography - Its location and many ports put it in good position to trade and as a result, its colonies prospered and their empire developed. 2)Success at War -Had a great standing Navy not Army. They defeated France in several conflicts and gained (land and trade.) 3)Business - They engaged in mercantilism: but was less restrictive than Spain which may have led to revolution as colonies were more independent. 4) Scotland (1707) - The Act of Union united, which improved internal trade making Britain stronger.

What are the reasons why Great Britain, a small island nation, rose to prominence by gaining a global empire??

The French and Indian War ends, in spite of its victory, Britain's treasury is drained. King George III tried to raise revenues by taxing the colonists for the War and the cost of stationing British troops in the Americas to protect the colonists. The Boston Massacre- was when colonists threw rocks at soldiers and shot at unarmed colonists in defense. In response thecolonist staged BOSTON TEA PARTY-which was a tea tax that led to the colonists dressing as medians throwing tea into the harbor in a protest.

What caused the Discontent between Britain and its colonies? How did it escalate?

He meant that in his domain religious tolerance was allowed so no mater what your belief systems were about the afterlife they were tolerated so you could believe them. This showed his tolerance for religion showing his genuine belief in the enlightened reform

What did Fredrick the Great mean when he said, "In my kingdom, everyone can go to heaven in his own fashion"?

Previously, Europeans accepted the following: 1) Divine Right to Rule from God. 2) A strict class system. 3) A belief in rewards when they die for earthly suffering. Enlightened thinkers believed these ideas were unreasonable, irrational, unbelievable and unscientific.

What had Europeans accepted before and during the enlightenment? What had enlightenment believed about these ideas?

Loyalist probably saw the colonists disadvantages towards the British not acknowledging there advantages at the same time. The loyalists probably sided with Britain due to their likely chance of winning, because Britain had a large trained army, a huge fleet, and greater resources. Along with that Britain offered freedom to slaves who would fight on their side, and they made alliances with native Americans.

What reasons might a loyalist have for opposing the American Revolution?

European thinkers believed that nothing was impossible for the human mind. Changes in views of GOVERNMENT and SOCIETY, thought better than absolute monarchy.

What was the beliefs of the enlightment thinkers? How did this effect the royal families?

Battle of Saratoga the patriots won, this was a Major Turning Point in the War because the French were convince to make an alliance with the patriots since they had a shot at winning the war. And with the help of the French, Washington forces the British General Cornwallice, to surrender at Yorktown, Virginia. Two years later in 1763 the Treaty of Paris was signed officially ending the War. Great Britain had to recognize the independence of the United States and its Western border as the Mississippi River.

What was the importance of the Battle of Saratoga?

At first the cause of the Revolution looked bleak. Some of the big problems: 1) Colonists were divided as patriots and loyalists 2) The Colonists were outnumbered. Used militia or amateur fighters. 3) They had no money and little resources.

What were some of the big problems of the colonies?

King George III wants to reassert or recover the lost powers of the Royal monarch of Royal power. He did this by ending the Whig party power domination, choosing his own ministers,many dissolving the cabinet and he had his "friends" in Parliament.

Who wanted to reassert total power? How did he obtain his goal?

Thomas Paine was an Englishman who was influenced by the Enlightenment mainly on reason, natural laws and freedom. He published "Common Sense"-a pamphlet which used "reason" to argue for a declaration of independence from England, basically saying to start a revolution or war.The British & Loyalists saw this as treason, but as relations with England declined more colonists embraced Paine's ideas.

Who was Thomas Paine? What did he do? Why was it controversial?