Understanding Popular sovereignty and the American Revolution

Understanding Popular sovereignty and the American Revolution

#1) The Founding Fathers of the American Revolution tried to implement many of the ideas of the European Enlightenment as they proclaimed independence from the British. (We studied the Enlightenment in Unit I.) The concept of popular sovereignty is very important in American History and World History. From your textbook reading and your dictionary, define popular sovereignty in your own words:

The American Revolution

#2) From 1619 until 1776, England helped to settled 13 separate colonies in the area that is today called North America. What is the definition of a colony? Use your dictionary and define colony.

#3) Study the map on page 472 or use the internet and list the names of the 13 British colonies that were in North America. The American Revolutionary flag had 13 stars, one for each colony in rebellion.

*Note: In order to protect the 13 colonies, England fought several wars with France and other European powers including the French and Indian War and the Seven Years War (1756-1763). England tried to get the 13 American colonies to help pay for the wars by passing several new taxes on the residents of the colonies, Read through this chronology of “act” or taxes that are listed below so that you can understand why the colonists protested some of the various taxes that the British imposed. Remember that the British people speak English. The islands of England, Scotland, and Wales are called Great Britain or the United Kingdom or “UK.” London is the largest city.

Brief Overview and Chronology, read the curriculum materials that I have uploaded in the American Revolution Module or research the internet and answer these questions about the American Revolution.

Some of the Events that led to the American Revolution

#4) The 1764 Sugar Act taxed what items?

#5) The 1765 Stamp Act taxed what items?

Notes, not questions:

The 1773 Tea Act taxed tea which is very important in British culture (like coffee in the US)

The 1765 Quartering Act: the colonists are required to pay the expenses of the British troops called Red Coats.

The 1770 The Boston Massacre: 5 unarmed citizens were shot while protesting the taxes//after a trial the British soldiers were found not guilty which only enraged the people living in the 13 colonies. British soldiers were called “Redcoats.”

The 1773 Boston Tea Party: colonists threw tea that was imported from England into the Boston harbor to protest the tax on tea

The 1775 Battles of Lexington and Concorde and Paul Revere’s famous ride (The 13 colonies began to fight for their independence from England, the Mother Country).

#6) What are the names of the first battles of the American Revolutionary War?

#7) Look at the Power Point and identify the Patriot who said: “Almighty God, I know not what course others might take but as for me: Give me liberty, or give me death!” Who said this?

#8) What is the name of the legislative body in England that passed all of the taxation acts? (Note: Congress in the United States was designed after this legendary British legislature.)

#9) Use the internet and answer this question: What is the British Union Jack?

#10) Why were the colonists angry? What did the colonists in the 13 colonies mean when they cried: “No taxation without representation”? Briefly explain this motto of the revolution.

#11) Read the excerpts from the Declaration of Independence which was signed on July 4, 1776 which is a separate attachment and study the American Revolution Power Point. Thomas Jefferson wrote most of this document which was based on the ideals espoused by John Locke. Notice that the 13 colonies are declaring that they are independent of the British. Read through the document and the power point and summarize 4 of the major principles that are written into the Declaration of Independence. These concepts form the basis of the American definition of democracy.

Major Fact: Outcome of the American Revolutionary War: The American Revolution involved a major change as the 13 colonies of England defeated the British and became a new country, the United States of America. Each former colony becomes a new state.

After the General George Washington and the Patriots won the American Revolutionary War, the former colonies had to organize a new national government. James Madison, John Adams, Washington and other Founding Fathers and Founding Mothers wrote a new Constitution for the United States. Here you can just read the Preamble to the United States Constitution:

The Preamble to the United States Constitution

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide 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.

#12) The Power Point outlines the 3 branches of government which is referred to as “separation of powers”. You can also review the system of checks and balances the controls the powers and operations of these 3 branches of government. What are the 3 branches of government in the United States? Explain checks and balances in the United States?

Fun Fact: The US Constitution currently contains more than 20 key amendments that are interesting to study. These documents and amendments have helped to shape and expand democracy in the USA. For example, the rights of women to vote are recognized with the nineteenth amendment which was passed after so many women helped with the war effort during World War I (1914-1919). The 19th Amendment was ratified in 1920.

#13) The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution are called the Bill of Rights. SUMMARIZE or LIST the Bill of Rights so you can get an idea of some of the key rights included in the constitution.

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