1. Chapter 2 From Colonies to Nation

2. Chapter 2, Section 1 A Tradition of Liberty p. 38-41
American colonists develop a tradition of liberty based on self-government, freedom of religion, and freedom of the press.

3. Q: How did the traditions of liberty take hold in the colonies?
C2S1 Focus Question
Q: How did the traditions of liberty take hold in the colonies?

4. Self-Government in the Colonies
William Penn on top of
Philadelphia City Hall
Main Idea: Although they recognize the authority of the British monarch, the American colonists develop a tradition of self-government.
American colonists are subjects of the British monarchy and expected to obey all British laws.
Distance forces the colonists to govern themselves.
New England develops the town meeting - a gathering of residents to make decisions for the community
Colonies are headed by a governor who is appointed by the king or proprietor (owner).
William Penn
- proprietor of Pennsylvania

5. (Grandfather of Aaron Burr)
The Great Awakening
Main Idea: The Great Awakening is a period of religious revival that sweeps through the colonies in the 1730s and 1740s.
Religious leaders, like Jonathan Edwards, call on people to examine their lives and commit themselves to God.
Causes an increase in the number of churches, and tolerance of religious differences.
Affects the way people view their political rights
Reinforces democratic ideals
“If we can decide how to worship God on our own, we can govern ourselves.”
Jonathon Edwards
(Grandfather of Aaron Burr)

6. Freedom of the Press
Main Idea: John Peter Zenger’s acquittal establishes freedom of the press in the colonies.
Freedom of the Press: the right of newspapers & other public media to publish articles believed to be accurate.
John Peter Zenger publisher of the Weekly Journal is charged with libel for printing articles that attack the royal governor’s reputation.
Printing the truth is NOT libel.
Zenger’s aquittal establishes principle of the informed citizen.
The press has a right & responsibility to keep the public informed of the truth.

7. C2S1 Focus Question
Q: How did the traditions of liberty take hold in the colonies?
A: American colonists developed a tradition of liberty based on self-government, freedom of religion, and freedom of the press.