US History

U.S. History Study Guide

©2018 of 194 believed they could lead their nations to progress after a long period of tyranny and superstition that was associated with the Middle Ages. In the midst and aftermath of the Glorious Revolution or English Civil War where Cromwell and his followers over through the monarchy and executed the king, people were unsure what would be the best way to rule a kingdom. Many Enlightenment thinkers challenged authority and demanded a responsible government and social contracts. The idea of people assuming ownership of their own government was a very new idea, and the idea that it was the responsibility of citizens and ordinary people to overthrow oppressive governments was also new. Although Cromwell died and the monarchy of England had been reinstated, it was considerably weakened and had less power than the English Parliament. These ideas and philosophies on government did not die however, but traveled throughout Europe and made their way to the English colonies. One man in the colonies who exemplified this movement was Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, who was an inventor, editor, scientist, statesman, and an intellectual giant of the English colonies. Other influential figures would be inspired by the writing of this movement and build on it. People such as Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and other notable Revolutionary figures who would create the United States of America are a few examples. 4.10 Ideas on a Social Contract The idea of the social contract is the belief that the government can only exist to serve the people, and they are the source of power. They can choose to give to or withhold this power from the government. Although an old idea from Ancient Greece, English philosopher Thomas Hobbes expanded on this idea. He wrote that there was a time with no government and those who were the strongest could take control and use their power at any time over others. Hobbes' theory was that the people mutually agreed to create a government, only giving it enough power to protect society. In Hobbes' theory once that power was given to the government the people then gave up any right to power. This would be the price of the protection the government provided. Jean Jacques Rousseau and John Locke each took the social contract theory one step further. Rousseau explained that the government is based on the idea of popular rule and the will of the people gives power and direction to the government. John Locke stressed the role of the individual; he believed that revolution was not just a right, but an obligation if the government abused their given power. He wrote about guaranteed rights that every human had, given by God, "Life, Liberty, and Land" and if any government infringed on these rights, the people had the right to overthrow that tyrannical government. This heavily influenced the Founding Fathers, especially Thomas Jefferson, who would later write "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness". Achieve Page 45