Race Essay

Chapter 2
Constitutional Democracy: Promoting Liberty and Self-Government

I. Terms
A. Limited Government
1. one is subject to strict limits on its lawful use of power
2. idea that government should be restricted in its use of power and hence in its ability to deprive people of their liberty
B. Self-Government
1. government based on the people and subject to their control
2. requires majority through its representatives have the power to rule

II. The Colonial and Revolutionary Experiences
A. Rights of Englishmen
1. Revolutionary War was partly a rebellion against Britain’s failure to respect its own tradition of limited government in the colonies
2. to pay off British debt, they imposed heavy taxes on colonies after the French and Indian War (1756-1763)
a. Stamp Tax
b. Colonists not represented in Parliament
c. Parliament repealed Stamp Tax, but then passed Townsend Act imposing taxes on glass, paper, tea, and lead
1.) again, Parliament backed down on all except the tax on tea
2.) triggered the Boston Tea Party

B. Declaration of Independence
1. Thomas Jefferson was the author
2. John Locke (his philosophy is reflected in the words of the Declaration)
a. inalienable rights (natural rights)
1.) life, liberty and property
2.) people can rebel against a rule who tramples on these
b. Jefferson said Locke was one of the 3 greatest men ever to live
c. Phrases of Locke included in Declaration:
1.) all men created equal
2.) just powers from the consent of the governed
3.) right of people to alter or abolish a tyrannical government
d. this European philosopher had the greatest impact on American politics
3. It was a call to revolution rather than a framework for the new government (even though later became the framework)
4. Became the basis for the US Constitution 11 years later
C. Articles of Confederation
1. First government of the US was based upon the Articles of Confederation, not the Constitution
2. Very weak national government...