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Declaration of Independence
The DOI consists of 5 parts and was written to help our country to break out of the claws of Great Britain. It was "written" by 5 people but actually written by Thomas Jefferson, one of our most prominent founding fathers. Not only did it state our human rights but among other information, it stated our request for independence and a formal declaration of war against our former rulers. -
"E Pluribus Unum"
This phrase appears on U.S. currency and is one of the mottos of our country. It translates to "Out of many, one". It is somewhat controversial as "in god we trust" is the official country motto. -
John Trumbull Sr.
He was the only man to serve as a governor for both an English colony and an American state. He was also a licensed preacher after attending Harvard at the age of 13. He supported the patriot cause heavily. -
U.S. Constitution
It established laws and guaranteed rights to citizens. To date, there are 27 amendments, the first ten being the bill of rights. James Madison wrote the document that formed a model for the constitution. -
Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights plays an important role in protecting us, the people, and our rights. It holds the amendments one through ten that explain the extent of our rights. Without this document, many of the rights we have to this day may not even exist. -
The Fifth Amendment
This amendment to the Constitution is within the Bill of Rights. It protects our rights pertaining to a grand jury, double jeopardy, self incrimination, and the due process of law. It includes the right to remain silent -
Eminent Domain
This is a legal strategy that lets the government take private property for public use but at least compensating for it. This topic is quite controversial as people don't like being forced to leave their things behind. The fifth amendment states that their are limits on this. -
John Hancock
He was a huge advocate for the patriot cause. He served as president in the Second Continental Congress. He was also a governor of Massachusetts. He is most well known for his bold signature on the DOI. -
John Witherspoon
This Scottish-American minister was quite politically active. He became an advocate for independence. Not only that, he served as a delegate from New Jersey on the Second Continental Congress and signed the DOI. -
John Peter Muhlenberg
As a pastor-turned-soldier, he had the characteristics to be a great leader. He had a good impact by fighting in multiple battles during the revolutionary war. However, he tends to be lesser known and even left out of books about the battles he fought in and not having a biography written in over seventy years -
Benjamin Rush
Dr Benjamin Rush is one of the men who signed the DOI. He was a famous physician in the area. He also is often called the "Father of American Psychiatry" and was the first u.s. citizen to write a textbook on the topic. -
John Jay
He was the first Chief Justice of the U.S. He wrote some of the Federalist Papers. He served in the Continental Congress and was a diplomat. -
Charles Carroll
He was the only roman catholic to sign the DOI. He was a part of the senate. He also was a member of the Continental Congress. -
Alexis de Tocqueville and his Five Principles
His five principles are : Liberty, Egalitarianism, Individualism, Populism, and Laissez-faire. In short (and in the same order ) they are freedom, equality, DIY destiny, limited government, and ruled by the people. The only people not seen as socially equal under egalitarianism were slaves and natives. -
"In God We Trust"
This is the official motto of the U.S. It can be found on our currency. It is somewhat controversial as it causes the separation between church and state to become blurred.
