Declaration of Independence and Revolution

evought's picture
Submitted by evought on Fri, 04/11/2014 - 19:51
  • Intolerable Acts:
    • Also problems with paper money and lack of specie ("hard money") in Colonies
    • Rights not from government:

      ...We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness...
      Declaration of Independence

    • "unalienable": Can't be taken away; can't be given away
    • "Natural Rights" but also Natural Duties:

      ...it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security...
      Declaration of Independence

  • Civil conflicts and the common citizen: the frying pan and the fire
    • Many citizens lost their homes, their farms, or their lives regardless of which side they declared to
    • Challenge is to survive and maintain local order in the face of upheaval
    • American Revolution 'succeeded' because Britain was a 'foreign power' which could be sent home
    • Colonial government transferred intact; many people patriated and forgiven (not all)
    • Revolutions where it is people vs. government seldom yield a stable system
    • Balance of powers and multi-level sovereignty (citizen/state/national) designed to prevent that occurence
    • Office of Sheriff directly serves the citizen; operates as speedbump; ensure process is followed
    • Sheriff/Auxiliary == Locals-In-the-Loop Law Enforcement
    • Romans 13
  • The Articles of Confederation and its failure
    • Articles set up a weak fraternity of states; little central power; direct war effort
    • First president: John Hanson
    • AoC failed to provide for common defense, government had no money (what it was empowered to collect was seldom remitted)
    • Insurrection in several states, inc. Mass.
    • Letters between Wash and Jefferson discussing its replacement ("Federalists" --- Of Equals)
    • Convention to amend AoC became Const Convention 1787
    • "Ratification--- the People Debate the Constitution, 1787-1788" by Pauline Maier