America’s Roots
Why Is It Important To Learn About America’s Founding?
From attacks on the legitimacy and absolution of the Constitution, to a lack of education about America’s founding, there are many reasons to make an effort to learn about our founding.
Source: Washington Post, Fox News
Modern Attacks On The Constitution
Why Did America Declare Independence?
Britain raised taxes on the colonies for items like tea and stamps without proper representation.
Britain created stricter laws and more Administrations to oversee colonies behaviors.
Britain was allowing soldiers to take over colony building and homes to house themselves.
After long debates, 12 of the 13 colonies voted to declare independence on July 2nd, 1776.
Source: Britannica
The Vote For Independence
The Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was written primarily by Thomas Jefferson.
It was ratified on July 4th, 1776.
Printers worked through the night to make 200 copies to send across the new country.
Source: The National Archives
Key Parts of the Declaration of Independence
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.”
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.”
The acknowledgement that governments doesn’t give rights - they are just called to protect them.
They recognized that revolution isn’t decided lightly but instead comes after many abuses and attempts to reconcile.
Key Figures In The Founding
James Madison
Age During Revolution: 25
Benjamin Franklin
Age During Revolution: 70
Thomas Jefferson
Age During Revolution: 33
George Washington
Age During Revolution: 44
The Founders Hopes For The Future
“The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions, that I wish it to be always kept alive.” - Thomas Jefferson
“You will never know how much it has cost my generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make a good use of it.” - John Adams
“ If I have a wish dearer to my soul than that my ashes may be mingled with those of a Warren and Montgomery, it is that these American States may never cease to be free and independent.” - Samuel Adams
Discussion Question
Do you think the America of today is the kind that the Founders had hoped for during the Revolution?
Or have we strayed from their vision?
America Was The Underdog To Win The Revolution
America had to piece together an Army and Navy to fight against Britain’s established military.
Americans were divided about the Revolution so there was inner battle between neighbors.
The American economy relied heavily on trade with Britain which had the most sophisticated economy in the world.
Despite this, in October 1781 after the Battle of Yorktown, America won its independence to become its own nation.
Source: National Park Service
America Experimented With What Worked
After the Revolution, America had to create a brand new nation and way of governing.
They experimented with different styles and documents like the Articles of Confederation.
This document failed because a lack of central government and cohesion between states.
There would end up being talk about making a new document - a Constitution.
Source: The National Constitution Center
While it may be surprising today, there was a lot of pushback against the Constitution.
The Federalist Papers written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay defended the constitution and explained why this style of government should work.
The Constitutional Convention
The Constitutional Convention began in Philadelphia in May of 1787.
There would be over 3 months of debates and drafting before the Constitution was signed by 38 delegates on September 7th, 1787.
Source: The National Archives
A Breakdown of The Constitution
The Constitution is made up of 7 articles.
Article I
Legislative Branch
Article II
Executive Branch
Article III
Judicial Branch
Article IV
States, Citizenship, New States
Article V
Amendment Process
Article VI
Debts, Supremacy, Oaths, Religious Tests
Article VI
Ratification
Source: Constitution Center
What Makes The Constitution Special
There are many things that set the Constitution apart from other countries founding documents.
It created two equally powerful representative bodies in the House and the Senate.
A focus on not allowing the will of the majority to impact the guaranteed rights on the minority when voting.
A separation of powers that never lets one branch of government have full control.
Source: Newsweek
The Bill Of Rights Debate
Like the Constitution, the Bill of Rights was heavily debated and pushed back against.
One side believed the Bill of Rights was dangerous and would allow the Government to say only those listed rights were protected.
The other believed the Bill of Rights was necessary for the protection of individual and state rights to make the Constitution a better document.
Eventually the Bill of Rights were ratified on December 15, 1791.
Discussion Question
Which side of the Bill of Rights debate would you have been on? Do you think it’s inclusion has worked in America’s favor in the centuries since?
Learn More About Our Founding Documents
Explore The Founding Documents And Learn About Their Preservation With The National Archives
Think You Know Everything You Need To Know About America’s Roots?
�