Government review Maddie James Pd. 2

The Declaration of Independence A statement adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776 It announced that the 13 American colonies were now independent states and no longer under rule of the British Empire Written mostly by Thomas Jefferson but with the help of Robert Livingston, Benjamin Franklin and Roger Sherman The wording has protected the rights of individuals and marginalized groups, and represents a moral standard for how the United States should strive “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.” The Declaration is the nation’s most cherished symbol of liberty The political philosophy was not new; it’s ideals of individual liberty were already introduced by John Locke and the Continental philosophers.

Two Treatises of Government Locke’s work served as an underpinning for the U.S. Constitution It explains the need for limiting government and the role of property in maintaining liberty The first treatise explains that Locke believes in reason and in the ability of every man to govern himself according to God’s law The second treatise laid the foundation for modern forms of democracy and for the Constitution of the United States

Rights and responsibilities of citizenship Rights of US citizens: voting in federal elections, serve on a jury, bringing family members to the US, obtain citizenship for children born abroad, travel with a US passport, run for federal office and become eligible for federal grants and scholarships Responsibilities of US citizens: support and defend the Constitution, serve the country when required, participate in the democratic process, respect and obey federal, state, and local laws, respect the rights, beliefs, pay income and other taxes, and opinions of others and participate in your local community