Main Idea: Enlightenment ideas helped spur the American
colonies to create a new nation.
IV. American
Revolution
A.
Britain & Its Colonies
a.
British tax and trade laws regulate the colonists’ import
and export of goods
B.
Americans Win Independence
a.
England angers the colonists by expecting them to pay the
debts of the French and Indian War; Stamp Act
b.
Colonists protest England’s harsh taxes and begin to
organize
c.
Colonial leaders use Enlightenment ideas to justify
independence and to write the Declaration of Independence
i.
List of grievances
ii.
John Locke—right to rebel against an unjust ruler
d.
Americans are victorious
i.
Motivated to fight
ii.
French assistance
iii.
Overconfident British generals
C.
Creating a Republic
a.
To protect their authority, the 13 states create a weak
national government—Articles of Confederation: fails
b.
Constitutional Convention delegates create a new system of
government based on Enlightenment ideas
i.
Locke: gov’t power comes from the consent of the people,
religious toleration
ii.
Beccaria: accused have rights, no torture
iii.
Montesquieu: separation of powers
iv.
Rousseau: direct democracy
v.
Voltaire: free speech
c.
The new government system is made up of three separate
branches
d.
Bill of Rights is created to further protect the rights of
the individual citizens