PHILOSOPHICAL Foundations of the American Revolution [APUSH Review Unit 3 Topic 4 (3.4)] Period 3

Summary

In this episode of Heimler's History, we delve into the philosophical underpinnings of the American Revolution, exploring how colonial perspectives on governance evolved. Key Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke, with his emphasis on consent of the governed and natural rights, Jean-Jacques Rousseau's social contract theory, and Baron de Montesquieu's advocacy for a balanced government significantly influenced colonial leaders. Despite initial hopes for reconciliation, publications like Thomas Paine's 'Common Sense' swayed public sentiment towards independence, culminating in the Declaration of Independence, penned by Thomas Jefferson and steeped in Enlightenment ideals.

Takeaways

• 📜 The video discusses the philosophical foundations of the American Revolution, focusing on how colonial attitudes towards government changed before the Revolution.
• 🏛 The Stamp Act Congress in 1765 demonstrated that colonists initially sought to negotiate with Britain as loyal subjects, not revolutionaries.
• 🤔 The colonists' desire for liberty was influenced by Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke, who emphasized natural rights and the social contract.
• 🔑 Locke's ideas were pivotal, asserting that legitimate government required the consent of the governed and that people had inherent rights to life, liberty, and property.
• 🗳️ Jean-Jacques Rousseau's social contract theory also resonated, suggesting that if a government did not protect natural rights, its laws could be rejected.
• 🏛️ The Baron de Montesquieu's concept of separation of powers in a republican form of government was seen as a safeguard for liberty.
• 🌟 The Great Awakening and Enlightenment ideas fostered a sense of American identity centered on liberty, which was threatened by British policies.
• 📚 Thomas Paine's 'Common Sense' was a game-changer, making Enlightenment ideas accessible to the general public and advocating for independence.
• 🇺🇲 Despite initial hopes for reconciliation, the publication of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 marked a formal break with Britain and the start of the Revolutionary War.
• 🎓 The video concludes by encouraging students to understand these historical and philosophical concepts for success in their AP U.S. History exams.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video script?

The main focus of the video script is to explore the philosophical foundations of the American Revolution, specifically how and why colonial attitudes about government changed in the years leading up to the revolution.

What was the purpose of the Stamp Act Congress in 1765?

The purpose of the Stamp Act Congress in 1765 was for colonial delegates to petition the British Parliament to repeal the Stamp Act, which they saw as an unjust tax imposed on them.

What did the colonial delegates hope to achieve at the Continental Congress in 1774?

At the Continental Congress in 1774, the delegates from the colonies, except Georgia, hoped to negotiate a reconciliation with Britain that would protect their liberties without disrupting their society and economy.

Who are some of the Enlightenment thinkers mentioned in the script that influenced the American Revolution?

The script mentions John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and the Baron de Montesquieu as Enlightenment thinkers whose ideas influenced the American Revolution.

What was John Locke's view on the legitimacy of government?

John Locke believed that a legitimate government can only exist by the consent of the governed, meaning the power to govern is in the hands of the people, not a monarch.

According to Locke, what are the natural rights that people possess?

According to John Locke, the natural rights that people possess are life, liberty, and property.

How did Jean-Jacques Rousseau's concept of the social contract relate to the American Revolution?

Rousseau's concept of the social contract suggested that if a government does not protect the people's natural rights, the people have the right to resist or overthrow that government, which resonated with the colonists' resistance to British rule.

What was the Baron de Montesquieu's contribution to the ideas of government that influenced the American Revolution?

The Baron de Montesquieu contributed the idea of separating government into three branches—executive, legislative, and judicial—with checks and balances to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.

What was the impact of Thomas Paine's 'Common Sense' on the colonial sentiment towards the British?

Thomas Paine's 'Common Sense' was a powerful argument for independence from Britain, using simple language and Enlightenment ideas to sway public opinion towards revolution.

How did the Declaration of Independence reflect Enlightenment ideas?

The Declaration of Independence, penned by Thomas Jefferson, reflected Enlightenment ideas such as natural rights and the social contract, emphasizing the right of the people to overthrow a government that does not serve their interests.

What was the initial reaction of some colonial elites to Thomas Paine's 'Common Sense'?

Some colonial elites, like John Adams, initially thought 'Common Sense' was too simplistic and did not adequately convey the weight of the ideas it discussed, with Adams calling it a 'poor, ignorant, malicious, crapulous mass.'