1. Intellectual Influences on the American Revolution

2. Intellectual Influences: The Enlightenment
John Locke ( ) English philosopher
Influenced Jefferson
Natural rights… life, liberty, ownership of property
Duty of the state was to protect people’s rights
If the state does not… citizens have the right to overthrow
(see Declaration of Independence p nd paragraph)
Montesquieu ( )
Influenced framers of Constitution
Separation of powers
**Led colonists to question the authority of the British monarchy

3. Historical Influences
Ancient Greece
World’s first democracy… “rule by the people”
Ancient Rome (Republic) BCE
(Empire) 27 BCE-476 CE
Republic… citizens have a right to vote to select a leader
Leaders rule in the name of the people
Roman Republic had a Senate

4. Common Sense Thomas Paine attacked King George III
Time had come for colonists to proclaim an independent republic
Independence was the American destiny
Independence would give Americans the chance to create a better society free from tyranny
Sold nearly 500,000 copies

5. Common Sense: Liberty Kids

6. Declaration of Independence (1776)

7. The Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776
Basic Rights
Life, liberty, pursuit of happiness
“consent of governed”
Right to overthrow government
British Wrongs
Disbanding colonial legislatures
Sending Brit troops to colonies
Independent Nation
Free nation
Make alliances and trade