PHILOSOPHICAL Foundations of the American Revolution [APUSH Review Unit 3 Topic 4 (3.4)] Period 3

Philosophical Foundations of the American Revolution

Changing Colonial Attitudes Towards Government

• The main inquiry is how and why colonial attitudes about government shifted before the American Revolution, particularly in response to British taxation laws.

• Initially, colonists viewed themselves as loyal subjects seeking redress from Parliament rather than revolutionaries; they desired reconciliation over rebellion.

• The Continental Congress of 1774 saw delegates from all colonies (except Georgia) agree on resisting British tyranny while still hoping for negotiation.

Enlightenment Influences on Colonial Thought

• Colonists' yearning for liberty was significantly influenced by Enlightenment thinkers, particularly John Locke, who argued that legitimate government derives from the consent of the governed.

• Locke emphasized natural rights—life, liberty, and property—as inherent to individuals and not granted by any authority, thus unalienable by governments.

• Rousseau's concept of a social contract posited that people relinquish some power to a government that must protect their rights; if it fails to do so, its laws are invalid.

Republicanism and Checks on Power

• Montesquieu advocated for a republican form of government with three branches (executive, legislative, judicial), each providing checks and balances to prevent tyranny.

• These Enlightenment ideas fostered a sense among Americans that threats to liberty were existential threats to their lives.

Initial Loyalty vs. Growing Discontent

• Despite these philosophical shifts, as late as 1774, many colonists—including Continental Congress members—still identified as British citizens and sought loyalty rather than revolution.

The Catalyst for Change: Common Sense

The Impact of Thomas Paine's "Common Sense"

The Role of Enlightenment Thought

• Thomas Paine describes his goal to be a proponent of truth, contrasting with what he calls "the most bare-faced falsity ever imposed on mankind."

• "Common Sense" was infused with Enlightenment ideas, making complex philosophical concepts accessible to the general population, unlike the elite who were familiar with thinkers like Locke and Rousseau.

Reception and Critique

• John Adams criticized "Common Sense," calling it “a poor, ignorant, malicious, crapulous mass,” reflecting a divide between elite intellectualism and popular sentiment.

• Despite Adams's critique, Paine effectively articulated the colonists' feelings about independence that they had not yet expressed themselves.

Shift in Colonial Sentiment

• The pamphlet gained immense popularity, leading to a shift in colonial sentiment towards independence from Britain.

• This change culminated in the Second Continental Congress discussing formal resolutions for independence in 1776.

Declaration of Independence

• Thomas Jefferson was tasked with drafting the Declaration of Independence, which echoed Enlightenment principles such as natural rights and social contracts.

• The Declaration was accepted on July 2, 1776, and publicly announced two days later on July 4th.

Conclusion and Future Implications