Patriots Declare Independence!

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Patriots Declare Independence!
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• Ideas Behind the Revolution

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John Locke

• People have the natural right to life, liberty,
  and property
• Society based on a social contract
• a. agreement in which people consent to choose
  and obey a government so long as it safeguards
  their natural rights.
• b. If government violates the contract people
  have the right to revolt.

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Limited Government

• Basic to English Law
• Magna Carta- 1215
• a. limited the power of the King
• b. guaranteed due process, speedy trial, and
  trial by peers
• c. King subject by rule of law
• 3. English Bill of Rights
• a. reinforce limitations of Kings power

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Thomas Paines Common Sense

• Pamphlet attacking King George and the monarchy
• Justification for independence
• a. allow America to trade more freely
• b. allow America to create a better society
• 1. free of tyranny
• 2. equal social/economic opportunities
  for all

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Declaring Independence

• Thomas Jefferson wrote final draft
• Unalienable Rights God given rights, cannot be
  taken away
• a. Life
• b. Liberty
• c. Pursuit of Happiness

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Declaration of Independence (Continued)

• 3. All Men are Created Equal
• a. politically equal
• 1. do not have same ability or wealth
• 2. Did not embrace women, Native
• Americans, African-American
• slaves.
• 3. July 2, 1776- completed Declaration of
• Independence

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Declaration of Independence

• 4. July 4, 1776 Declaration of Independence
  adopted by the Continental Congress.