1. The Enlightenment The Americans

2. America 1700-1776 Enlightenment philosophy travelled across the Atlantic. Philadelphia be came a hub of political discourse like the salons of Paris. And the seeds of discontent were sown. The French-Indian War ◦ Ended 1763 with the Treaty of Paris ◦ Disagreements erupted between British and colonial troops over their part in the war. Trade and Taxation ◦ Colonists began trading with the French, which was illegal. ◦ The British wanted to tax this trade and the profits the colonists made from the war. ◦ The Americans found the taxes to be unreasonably harsh and began to rise up Uprisings ◦ Boycotts, protests, The Boston Tea Party, The Boston Massacre

3. Thomas Jefferson Bio b.1743-d.1826 ◦ Plantation owner, politician, philosopher. An amateur archaeologist and architect. Practiced law and served in local government. Writings ◦ Declaration of Independence, 1776 Ideas ◦ Borrowed heavily from European Enlightenment thinkers. ◦ “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” ◦ Separation of church and state. ◦ Favored states rights and a decentralized government.

4. Benjamin Franklin Bio b.1706-d.1790 ◦ Born to a poor family, apprenticed as a printer. Began writing under fake names. Ran his newspaper, printed Poor Richard’s Almanack. Retired and focused on his experiments and inventions. Writings ◦ Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1733 ◦ Rules By Which a Great Empire May Be Reduced to a Small One, 1773 Ideas ◦ Extolled the virtue of civic and personal virtue. ◦ Religion was needed to keep men virtuous. ◦ Based a lot of his ideas on the Protestant work ethic. ◦ Enlightenment values of tolerance and scientific exploration.

5. Simon Bolivar Bio b.1783-d.1830 ◦ Born in Venezuela, he inherited a fortune, travelled to Europe and learned the Enlightenment philosophies. Then lead a revolution that would free South America from the Spanish. Ideas ◦ Respected the Americans and Thomas Jefferson, but didn’t think South America was suited for democracy. ◦ Believed in Adam Smith’s idea of the Free market. ◦ Anti-slavery, pro-immigration ◦ The Bolivian Constitution calls for a lifetime appointment to the presidency and a hereditary senate. Most closely resembles Britain’s monarchy and Parliament.