05b_Ch21: Enlightenment in Europe, Revolution in the Americas

FQ: To what extent did our Founding Father's Adopt/ Adapt John Locke's understanding of Nature?
Timeline: 17th-18th C

Main Idea: Refuting political philosophers like Hobbes were philosophers like John Locke. Regarding the rights of Men, role of
government, and the relationship between them, Locke offers his Treatises on Government (1690). In it, he explains how nature has
granted Men rights which are beyond the control of governments. From this discourse comes the birth of a grand 'experiment' in
democracy in which you now participate.

CCSS

Ponder: "...at best a government is tolerable..."

-Thomas Paine

Activity: Document analysis

! Declaration of Independence
! John Locke's 2nd Treatise of Government
! Gettysburg Address

Table 1: Foundation of American Political Values

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Ponder:

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish
Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the
general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do
ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
-Preamble to US Constitution

... Now we are engaged in a great civil war testing whether that nation or any nation so
conceived and so dedicated can long endure...
-Abraham Lincoln, 1863 (Gettysburg Address)

Materials/Sources: Refer to the course calendar for additional assignments and pertinent due dates.
! World History: Perspectives on the Past, World History: Patterns of Interaction
! Dec. of Independence
! John Locke's 2nd Treatise
! Gettysburg Address
Locke's 2nd Treatise of Gov't (TBR) Political Concept (TBR) Dec. of Independence (TBR)
section #211 Government can be dissolved. Para. #3
section #193 Government Rules by Consent Para. #2
section #4 All are created Equal Para. #2
Resource for use with this table can be found at http://history.wisc.edu/sommerville/367/locke%20decindep.htm (July 2011)
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