America’s Founding PrinciplesKey Terms

U.S. HistoryUnit 1

Essential Question:

• How do the words natural rights relate to the American Revolution, the founding of the United States, and the Civil War?

1. Natural (unalienable) Rights

• 1215 - Magna Carta – first introduced the rights allowed a “free man”

• 1651 – Thomas Hobbs and English philosopher wrote of the natural equality of all men

• 1690 - English philosopher John Locke wrote that people were born with certain natural rights

1. Natural (unalienable) Rights

• Definition:– Natural rights are those not dependent on the

laws, customs, or beliefs of any particular culture or government, and are thus inalienable (cannot be sold, transferred, or removed).

Frustrated with the lack of rights given the colonists, Thomas Jefferson wrote in the

Declaration of Independence, that it is a "self-evident" truth that "all men are ... endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights”

2. Republic• Definition: – A form of government in which

power resides with citizens who are entitled to vote.

• After the American revolution, royal rule is replaced with a republic.

• Elected leaders must govern according to written laws.

2. Republic

• Who were not given the right to vote?

Blacks and Women

3. Federalism• Definition:– A political system in which power is divided

between the national and state governments

• The government allows the people of each state to deal with their needs in their

own way

• States act together to deal with matters that affect all Americans

4. U.S. Constitution

• Out of the Constitutional Convention came the United States Constitution

• Definition:– A system of basic laws and

principles that defines the rights of American citizens and sets limits on what the government can and cannot do.

U.S. Constitution

5. U.S. Bill of Rights

• Definition:– The first 10 amendments to the Constitution

guaranteeing rights such as the freedom of speech, assembly, and worship.

• 1791, Federalists promised to add a Bill of Rights to the Constitution.

• Meant to ensure individual liberties and to protect citizens from government.

Summary: Answer the Essential Question in a

short paragraph

• How do the words natural rights relate to the American Revolution, the founding of the United States, and the Civil War?