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Jonathan Trumbull Sr.
John Trumbull Sr. was a colonial governor that sided with the colonists instead of the British during the Revolutionary period. -
John Peter Muhlenberg
John Peter was a clergyman who recruited soldiers to fight in the Revolutionary War against the British. -
Benjamin Rush
Benjamin is known as the Father of American Medicine. He also signed the Declaration of Independence -
John Witherspoon
John Signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776. He was also the President of New Jersey College, or Princeton. -
Charles Carroll
One of the wealthiest men is the colonies, he helped finance the American Revolution with his own money. He was one of the first people to suggest the need for independence. At the time, Carroll was part of the population that was Catholic, which removed his rights. He helped with the struggle to accept the Roman Catholic Religion in America. -
"E Pluribus Unum"
E Pluribus Unum means one of many. It it known as the motto of the United States. The seal can be seen on the dollar bill. -
Declaration of Independence
A document that declared why the colonists were demanding independence from Britain. The DOI argued that the purpose of government was to protect citizens' unalienable rights to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. It further argued that citizens had the right to overthrow oppressive governments. -
John Hancock
Hancock had one of the most recognizable signatures on the DOI. Hancock was a merchant from Boston and the President of the Second Continental Congress. Hancock wrote his signature on the DOI so large that King George III could read it without his glasses on. Hancock's name quickly became well known as a symbol of freedom among the colonies. -
Alexander Hamilton
Alexander was one of the writers of the Federalist Papers and part of the Continental Congress. He also helped write the Constitution and soon became the first secretary of the Treasury. -
Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin was an inventor and business person in his early years. Later, he ran the Pennsylvania Gazette and soon publish Poor Richards Almanac. He started America's first library, and even helped Thomas Jefferson write the Declaration of Independence. Two years later, he went to France and convinced the French to help support us in the Revolutionary War. After the war, he became part of the continental congress and even signed the Constitution. -
U.S. Constitution
The U.S. Constitution was not the first government in the new country. The colonies had originally set up an agreement called the Articles of Confederation, which failed. American leaders met and decided that a stronger government was needed. The Constitutional Convention decided to abandon the AOC and rewrite a new constitution. The U.S. Constitution establish government among the people, who elect their own representatives. It gave the national government more power over state government. -
John Jay
Helped write Federalist Papers -- papers in support of ratification of the Constitution-- and was the first Chief of Justice of Supreme Court. He also negotiated a boundary treaty with England. -
Eminent Domain
Eminent Domain is the power of the state to take private property for the use in a public project in return for reasonable compensation. For example, a water company needs to run pipes through your property; it can claim "easement" rights to use your property without actually possessing it. This was incorporated into the 5th Amendment. -
Bill of Rights
The Constitution was only signed if the supporters would add a Bill of Rights. A list of possible rights was written up, then limited down to ten.
- Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition
- Right to carry weapons
- Prohibits placing troops in homes without permission
- Protection from unreasonable searches
- Allowed to have a jury, no double jeopardy
- Right to trial by jury
- no cruel/unusual punishment
- There are other rights
- Federal gov only has constitutional rights -
James Madison (Picture)
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James Madison
James Madison wrote the early drafts for the U.S. Constitution, co-wrote the Federalist Papers, and sponsored the Bill of Rights. James Madison was also the 4th president of the United States. -
Alex De Tocqueville and His 5 Principles (Liberty)
De Tocqueville mentioned liberty in his book. By liberty, he means protection against tyrannical government. The biggest threat to the democracy was tyranny of the majority. -
Alex De Tocqueville and His 5 Principles (Egalitarianism)
Egalitarianism is equality. Everyone is equal as a part of society, where as in England, everyone is born into their place rather than having the right to "upgrade" themselves to a higher position through hard work. -
Alex De Tocqueville and His 5 Principles (Populism)
Populism, or popular sovereignty, is where people can participate in their government. Anyone who is within the minimal guidelines can run for any position of government they want. -
Alex De Tocqueville and His 5 Principles (Laissez-Faire)
Laissiez-Faire, or "hands off", meant that each American had the best judgment in his own interests. Americans should not rely too heavily on the government for everything, because if they did it would give the government a role that they would not be able to fulfill. -
Alex De Tocqueville and His 5 Principles
In 1831, De Tocqueville was sent to America to observe how the government in the western world had stayed so strong over the years, since France had had so many revolutions. After four years of observations, he published a book, Democracy in America, in 1835. The book recited five principles that were important to American Democracy. -
Alex De Tocqueville and His 5 Principles (Individualism)
Individualism is where everyone in America is allowed to do their own thing without direct intervention from the government. Individuals could rise in societies and create charities if they pleased. -
"In God We Trust"
Salmon P. Chase, Lincoln’s Secretary of the Treasury, received a letter from a Pennsylvanian minister requesting some kind of recognition of God in a national motto. The phrase found its way onto all of America's money during the Cold War. On July 30, 1956, President Eisenhower declared "In God We Trust" appear on all American currency.
