American Values and Enlightenment Thinkers

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Essential Questions

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What are American values? Where did they come from?

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Enlightenment Thinkers: Thomas Hobbes

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Believed people are naturally selfish; supported strong authority.

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Enlightenment Thinkers: John Locke

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Advocated natural rights: life, liberty, property; right to overthrow government; inspired the Declaration.

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Enlightenment Thinkers: Baron de Montesquieu

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Promoted separation of powers; foundation for U.S. Constitution.

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Enlightenment Thinkers: Jean-Jacques Rousseau

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Supported social contract and general will; direct democracy.

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Foundational Documents: Magna Carta (1215)

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Established limited monarchy, trial by jury, rule of law.

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Foundational Documents: English Bill of Rights (1689)

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Ensured free elections, petition rights, limits on king.

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Foundational Documents: Mayflower Compact (1620)

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Early example of self-government.

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Foundational Documents: House of Burgesses (1619)

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First colonial assembly, representative government.

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Colonial America & Self-Government: Salutary Neglect

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Britain ignored colonies, leading to self-rule growth.