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John Witherspoon
John Witherspoon was an influential figure in early American politics. Witherspoon was originally Scottish. He also served as president of modern day Princeton University. Most of Witherspoons personal works and journals were destroyed during the Revolution. -
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John Hancock
John Hancock was an American merchant and smuggler. He is remembered by his large and stylish signature. A signature is sometimes referred to as a "John Hancock". Hancock's early political mentor was Samuel Adams. Hancock was the president of the second continental congress. After resigning he still served as a delegate. -
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Charles Carroll
Charles Carroll was a member of a very wealthy family in Maryland. He was a plantation owner and slave owner. He was also a strong advocate for American independence. Carroll was not present to vote on the declaration of independence. He was able to sign the original document. -
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John Jay
John Jay was an American patriot and diplomat. He was a founding father and signer of the treaty of Paris. He also served as a chief justice of the first Chief Justice of the United states. This position was appointed to him by George Washington. -
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Benjamin Rush
Rush was appointed by President Adams as a treasurer of the U.S mint. He held this position until his death. Rush was a physician and politician in Philadelphia. Rush owned slaves while he was arguing pro abolitionism. -
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John Peter Muhlenberg
Muhlenberg was a clergy man and soldier in the first continental army. He fought actively during the revolution. He served as a political figure in the newly independent United States. He died on his birthday in 1807. -
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John Trumbull Sr.
John Trumbull Sr. is one of the few American governors to hold their position in office before and after the war. The original spelling of his last name was Trumble but was changed for an unkown reason. He was one of very few governors to take up the revolution in the early states. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence is a formal declaration of freedom and war against Great Britain. This was lead up to by a number of events including being taxed without representation and what was seen as unfair treatment from the King. The revolutionary war got into full swing after the deliverance of the Declaration even though there had been fighting since April 1775. -
E Pluribus Unum
E Pluribus Unum means out of many, one. This was considered the motto of the United States until 1956. This was supposed to signify out of the many colonies of the United States emerging as a single nation. This also signifies the diversity of the people that live in America, all gathering under a single flag. No matter where you come from if you are an American you are one with all other citizens. -
U.S. Constitution
The United States Constitution is the document that lays the foundation for the US. This informs citizens of the rights that the government does not have the ability to interfere with. These unalienable rights are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. James Madison wrote the document that laid the foundation for the Constitution. The Constitution was written in the same place that the Declaration of Independence was written. -
Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights was the first ten amendments of the United States
Constitution. The amendments served as indisputable rules that addressed the problems that were discussed in the Declaration. These included the right to bear arms and free speech. These issues that were addressed were the most glaring problems for the early Americans. -
The Fifth Amendment
The fifth amendment is the right to protect oneself from self incrimination. You do not have to speak to an official from the government if you do not wish. This was in response of officials beating lies out of the accused. This goes hand an hand with the other laws protecting the rights of the accused. -
Eminent Domain
Eminent Domain is the governments ability to seize property. This was addressed on December 15th, 1791 demanding if property must be seized there must be fair compensation. This had been a major issue in the early colonies. This is still possible in the modern day but is uncommon. -
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Alex De Tocqueville and his principles
Alex De Tocqueville is most known for his work democracy in America. He had 5 main values, number 1 being Liberty from tyranny. Number 2 is Equality among all citizens. Number 3 is Individualism, the right to purse things for the good of the individual. Populism or participation in political life and Laisez faire or the government taking a hands off approach. -
In God We Trust
Officially adopted by President Eisenhower. The slogan had been on American money since the might 1800's. The phrase originated in the Star Spangled Banner. There was a long argument over the phrase connecting the church to the government. This phrase is on all American money.
