2. John Locke, T. Paine, and Thomas Jefferson

3. Debate with a Partner What is human nature? That is, what traits of personality and character, if any do all people have in common? ◦Are people naturally selfish? Do they have the capacity to care for the good of others? How should a government (power) be organized? What should be the purpose of government?

4. What is happening in the photo? Which principles of democracy are possibly being violated?

5. John Locke All people are free, equal, and have “natural rights” of life, liberty, and property that rulers cannot take away. All original power resides in the people, and they consent to enter into a “social contract” among themselves to form a government to protect their rights. The people promise to obey the laws and rules established by their government, establishing a system of “ordered liberty.” Government’s powers are limited to those the people have consented to give to it. Whenever government becomes a threat to the people’s natural rights, it breaks the social contract, and the people have the right to alter or overthrow it for a new one.

6. T. Paine Thomas Paine published a pamphlet called Common Sense in January of 1776. Common Sense challenged the King of England’s rule of the colonies. It also shifted the focus of colonial anger from the Parliament to the Crown. “there is something absurd in supposing a continent to be perpetually governed by an island.”

8. Jefferson’s 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 abolish it, and to institute new Government….” Sound familiar?

9. Fine Arts Activity Find two modern pieces of “fine art” that you can compare with each different writer (T. Jefferson, John Locke, T. Paine). Examples include paintings, statues, songs, movie scenes, etc. Reminder: SCHOOL APPROPRIATE. - “Too Late to Apologize”