PHILOSOPHICAL Foundations of the American Revolution [APUSH Review Unit 3 Topic 4 (3.4)] Period 3

Summary

In this episode of Heimler's History, we delve into the philosophical foundations that spurred the American Revolution, examining how Enlightenment ideas reshaped colonial attitudes towards governance. While initial colonial resistance aimed merely at negotiating rights as British citizens, radical changes in thought—spurred by thinkers like John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Baron de Montesquieu—ignited a revolutionary fervor demanding independence. Thomas Paine's 'Common Sense' transformed elite Enlightenment concepts into an accessible call to arms, aligning the majority with revolutionary ideals and setting the stage for America's quest for autonomy, ultimately leading to the Declaration of Independence.

Highlights

• Colonists initially sought to remain British citizens, hoping for a reconciliation that would preserve their rights and liberties without upheaval. 💂‍♂️
• Enlightenment ideas, particularly those from John Locke, inspired the notion that government should only exist with the people's consent and protect inherent natural rights. 🔑
• Thomas Paine's 'Common Sense' acted as a pivotal document in swaying public opinion towards the need for independence through its relatable language and powerful ideas. 🔥
• The Declaration of Independence, drafted during the Second Continental Congress, encapsulated Enlightenment ideas, marking a decisive turn towards nationhood. 📜
• Key Enlightenment thinkers, including Rousseau and Montesquieu, influenced the colonial quest for a structured government that could balance power and safeguard liberty. ⚖️

Key Takeaways

• The American Revolution was heavily influenced by Enlightenment thinkers such as John Locke, whose notions of natural rights and government by consent became cornerstones for revolutionary thought. 🧠
• Despite initial attempts to reconcile with Britain, the colonists' ideas on liberty and self-governance, fueled by Enlightenment philosophies, led to a complete shift towards independence. 🇺🇸
• Thomas Paine's 'Common Sense' played a crucial role in spreading revolutionary ideas to the general populace, utilizing plain language to incite action and a break from British rule. 📚
• Even as late as 1774, many colonists, including Continental Congress delegates, hoped to remain British subjects; however, changing perceptions and influential writings paved the way for full independence by 1776. 🕊️
• The philosophical groundwork laid by thinkers like Rousseau and Montesquieu on social contracts and government structure became essential tenets in the foundation of American democracy. 📜

Overview

The philosophical underpinnings of the American Revolution are deeply rooted in the Enlightenment, a period that emphasized reason, individualism, and a challenge to traditional authority. As colonial delegates met to resist British impositions such as the Stamp Act and other taxation laws, they initially sought a peaceful resolution as loyal British citizens. However, the writings of figures like John Locke introduced compelling ideas that transformed these resistances into calls for independence.

John Locke's theories on government by consent and inherent natural rights stirred the colonies. Similarly, Rousseau's social contract theory and Montesquieu's advocacy for a balanced governmental structure laid the intellectual groundwork for what would become American democratic principles. These ideas fueled the colonies' demands for self-governance and liberty, as reflected in their growing discontent with British rule and lack of representation in Parliament.

The shift from desiring reconciliation to seeking independence was heavily amplified by Thomas Paine's 'Common Sense'. This pamphlet distilled complex Enlightenment ideas into common language, resonating with a broad audience and igniting revolutionary zeal. The adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 was then a culmination of these evolving ideological shifts, marking a profound step toward the formation of an independent American identity, ready to challenge British hegemony.

Chapters

• 00:00 - 00:30: Introduction and Main Question The chapter titled 'Introduction and Main Question' dives into the philosophical underpinnings of the American Revolution. The primary focus is on examining the shift in colonial attitudes toward government leading up to the Revolution. The main question addressed is: How and why did colonial perspectives on government evolve just before the American Revolution? The chapter references earlier discussions, specifically the meeting of colonial delegates at the Stamp Act Congress in 1765, where they aimed to have the Stamp Act repealed by petitioning the British Parliament.
• 00:30 - 01:00: The Stamp Act and Colonial Responses The chapter discusses the Stamp Act and the reaction it provoked in the American colonies. It highlights how these taxation laws are often viewed as the catalyst for the American Revolution. However, it emphasizes that revolution was not an inevitable outcome at that time. Most colonists still considered themselves loyal subjects of the British crown and sought only their rights as British citizens. This perspective persisted even after subsequent tax laws and the formation of the Continental Congress in 1774, where delegates from each colony convened.
• 01:00 - 01:30: The First Continental Congress The chapter covers the deliberations of the First Continental Congress minus Georgia, focusing on how the colonies aimed to counter the legislative overreach by Britain. Despite regional differences, a consensus emerged that resistance was necessary to safeguard colonial liberties against Parliamentary infringements. However, the desire for revolution was absent, with delegates favoring reconciliation that would preserve their rights without destabilizing their social and economic structures.
• 01:30 - 02:00: Philosophical Influences from the Enlightenment The chapter discusses how the Enlightenment influenced the colonists' desire for liberty and their attitudes towards British authority. It begins by describing how the British king and Parliament refused to negotiate with the American colonies, which they saw as rebels. This refusal is set against a backdrop of Enlightenment ideas, which instilled in the colonists a different understanding of liberty from their British counterparts. This philosophical shift is explored as a key factor in the colonists' resistance to British rule.
• 02:00 - 02:30: John Locke's Influence The chapter titled 'John Locke's Influence' discusses the profound impact of John Locke's philosophical ideas on the leaders of colonial delegations. It begins by acknowledging Locke's seminal work, 'Two Treatises on Government,' highlighting how it shaped political thought. Locke's argument that a legitimate government can only exist with the consent of the governed was central to this influence. This principle posits that the authority to rule is derived from the people, not a monarchy, indicating that a government's existence is contingent upon the people's will and permission. Additionally, Locke's concept of natural rights is emphasized. These rights are inherent to humans by their very existence and are not something the government dispenses, further shaping the foundations of modern democratic thought.
• 02:30 - 03:00: Natural Rights and Self-Rule The chapter titled 'Natural Rights and Self-Rule' discusses key philosophical concepts introduced by John Locke. Locke asserted that natural rights such as life, liberty, and property were not granted by the government but by a higher power, implying that they are inalienable and cannot be taken away by any government. Additionally, Locke championed the idea of self-governance through elected officials, challenging the traditional notions of inherited political power and hereditary privilege common in Britain at the time. These ideas resonated with people who lacked representation in government and faced oppressive laws, fueling their desire for self-rule and liberty.
• 03:00 - 03:30: Jean-Jacques Rousseau's Social Contract The chapter delves into Jean-Jacques Rousseau's influential concept of the social contract, which significantly impacted colonial leadership. Rousseau posited that governmental power resides with the people, who willingly cede some of that power to the government in exchange for the protection of their natural rights. He asserted that if the government enacts laws without the people's consent, those laws are invalid. This idea fueled colonial dissent, particularly concerning 'taxation without representation,' and contributed to the agitation for rebellion.
• 03:30 - 04:00: Montesquieu and Republican Government This chapter discusses the influence of Enlightenment thinker Baron de Montesquieu on colonial leaders, emphasizing his advocacy for a republican form of government to protect liberty. Montesquieu proposed a government divided into three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial, each with checks and balances over the others. These ideas, coupled with the spiritual fervor of the Great Awakening, led Americans to start reimagining their identity and governance.
• 04:00 - 04:30: Colonial Identity and the Great Awakening The chapter explores the complex evolution of colonial identity leading up to the American Revolution. Initially, colonists identified strongly with their British heritage and even in 1774, the delegates of the Continental Congress expressed allegiance to King George. The notion of revolution was not widely entertained or desired by most colonials. However, a shift in perspective began to take place, which is partially attributed to the influence of Thomas Paine's pamphlet 'Common Sense,' published in 1776. This text played a crucial role in reshaping colonial thought and identity, contributing significantly to the revolutionary movement.
• 04:30 - 05:00: Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" In this chapter, the focus is on Thomas Paine's influential work 'Common Sense'. Paine utilized accessible, everyday language to make a compelling case for American independence from Britain. He employed biblical references to critique the concept of monarchy, labeling it as an absurd falsehood imposed on humanity. This aligns with Enlightenment thought, which heavily influenced the era. The chapter notes that while Enlightenment thinkers like Locke, Rousseau, and Montesquieu were influential among the educated elite, Paine's work was crucial in making these revolutionary ideas accessible to the general public.
• 05:00 - 05:30: Impact of "Common Sense" and Elite Opinions Thomas Paine’s writing in 'Common Sense' played a crucial role in popularizing revolutionary ideas among the American colonists. While these concepts were already present among the elite thinkers, Paine presented them in a way that was accessible to the general population, igniting widespread support for independence.
• 05:30 - 06:00: Declaration of Independence The chapter discusses the pivotal role of ideas in the move towards American independence. It highlights how Thomas Paine's pamphlet articulated the unspoken sentiments of the colonists, arguing for independence from Britain. This pamphlet had widespread influence, leading to a shift in colonial attitudes. Consequently, in 1776, the Second Continental Congress convened and proposed a formal resolution for independence, with Thomas Jefferson appointed to draft the Declaration of Independence infused with Enlightenment ideals.
• 06:00 - 06:30: Conclusion and Outro The chapter 'Conclusion and Outro' summarizes key events leading up to the Declaration of Independence in 1776. The discussion highlights foundational ideas like natural rights and the social contract, which were pivotal in shaping the Declaration. Delegates accepted the Declaration on July 2, 1776, and it was publicly announced on July 4, 1776, marking the onset of the revolutionary war with Britain. The chapter concludes by encouraging further exploration of the topics for a more comprehensive understanding and suggests viewers subscribe for more educational content.

PHILOSOPHICAL Foundations of the American Revolution [APUSH Review Unit 3 Topic 4 (3.4)] Period 3 Transcription

• 00:00 - 00:30 Well hey there and welcome back to Heimler’s  History. If you’re just joining us,   we’ve been going through Unit 3 of the AP  U.S. History curriculum, and in this video   we’re going to deal with the philosophical  foundations of the American Revolution.   So crack them brain folds open because we  bout to get philosophical. Let’s get to it. Now the main question we’re trying to answer in  this video is basically this: how and why did   colonial attitudes about government change in  the years right before the American Revolution? Now recall that in the last video I mentioned  that when colonial delegates met for the Stamp   Act Congress in 1765, they did so to petition the  British Parliament to repeal the Stamp Act. And
• 00:30 - 01:00 we’re used to thinking about the Stamp Act and all  the other various and sundry taxation laws as the   tinder for the flame that would erupt into the  American Revolution. And that’s very true. But I   have to reemphasize what I mentioned in that last  video. Revolution was not a foregone conclusion   to most colonists at this point. The delegates  in the Stamp Act Congress petitioned Parliament   as loyal subjects to country and crown. They just  wanted what was due to them as British citizens. And that was still true after all those tax  laws were passed and delegates met for another   convention called the Continental Congress  in 1774. Here delegates from every colony
• 01:00 - 01:30 but Georgia—where you at, Georgia?—deliberated  about what the colonists ought to do regarding   Britain’s increasing legislative tyranny.  And despite their differing regional views,   they all agreed that the colonies needed to  resist further violations of their liberty at   the hands of Parliament. But revolution wasn’t  their answer. They held out hope that some kind   of reconciliation could be negotiated. They  hoped that there was some agreement they could   come to that would both protect their liberty  without disrupting their society and economy.
• 01:30 - 02:00 Now, the king and Parliament went ahead  and dropped a massive steamer on those   hopes by refusing to negotiate with colonies whom   they argued were rebelling against their  rightful authority. On which, more later. But for now, my question is, where did the  colonists learn to think in such ways? Why   did they long for liberty in ways that their  British parentage clearly did not endorse?   Well, if you watched the last video, you  know the answer: they learned it from the   Enlightenment. And in this video we’re going  to go much more in depth to explore the ideas   that inspired the colonists to yearn for  liberty and resist any encroachment upon it.
• 02:00 - 02:30 So let’s start with my boy John Locke.  His work Two Treatises on Government   deeply influenced the leaders of the colonial  delegations in the following ways. Locke argued   that a legitimate government can only exist by the  consent of the governed, which is just a fancy,   thinky-thinky way of saying that the power to  govern is in the hands of the people, not the   hands of a monarch. If a government exists, it’s  because the people will it and allow it to exist.   Another potent idea from Locke was the notion  that human beings, just by virtue of existing,   are endowed with natural rights. These rights are  not granted to the people by the government or a
• 02:30 - 03:00 king, but rather by the Creator, and thus, since  those rights were not granted by the government,   the government could not take them away.  And for Locke, those rights were life,   liberty, and property. Additionally, Locke argued  that the path to liberty for a people is self-rule   through elected representatives, so this really  put the kibosh on the idea of hereditary privilege   or inherited offices like you saw in Britain.  And you can see how a group of people who had   really worked these ideas deep into their minds,  AND who also had no representation in Parliament,   AND were being crushed under laws that  limited their liberty, might cry foul.
• 03:00 - 03:30 Then there was Jean-Jaques Rousseau whose work on  the social contract likewise inspired the colonial   leadership. Rousseau argued that given the power  to govern is in the hands of the people, then that   means they are in a social contract with their  government. The people agree to willingly give   up some of their power to a government as  long as that government agrees to protect   the people’s natural rights. If laws are passed,  for example, that the people do not consent to,   then those laws may be considered null and void.  So again, back to taxation without representation,   you can see how an idea like this would  agitate the colonists for rebellion.
• 03:30 - 04:00 And the last Enlightenment thinker I’ll  mention is the Baron de Montequieu whose   writings inspired colonial leaders to believe  that a republican form of government was the   best kind of government to preserve a people’s  liberty. He argued that a government ought to   be split into three branches: the executive,  the legislative, and the judicial. And each of   these branches should be able to check  and balance the power of the others. Now, with all these ideas swirling around in  their heads, and with the spiritual enthusiasm   engendered by the Great Awakening, Americans  during this time began to see themselves
• 04:00 - 04:30 as a people blessed with liberty, and any threat  to that liberty was a threat to their very life. And yet, as late as 1774, the delegates at the  Continental Congress opened their session by   raising their glasses to toast King George.  They still wanted to be British citizens.   Revolution was not on the table. And this  was true not only for the members of the   Congress but also for most of the colonial  population. So how did things change? Well, it’s more complicated than what I’m about to  tell you, but one of the most significant factors   was the publication of a little pamphlet in 1776  called Common Sense by Thomas Paine. In this
• 04:30 - 05:00 little book, Paine used everyday language  to argue powerfully for independence from   Britain. He used biblical examples to show the  folly of monarchy, going so far as to call it   “the most bare-faced falsity ever imposed  on mankind.” Which is why I strive to be   the most hairy-faced truthity ever imposed  on mankind. YOu know, you gotta have goals. Common Sense was also shot through with  Enlightenment thought, and this was a big   deal because while the elite folks in the  COntinental Congress were reading Locke and   Rousseau and Montesquieu, those writers’  works didn’t filter down into the main
• 05:00 - 05:30 population. But Thomas Paine was able to adorn  these ideas with fire that caught up the minds   of the colonists into the blaze that had thus  far only taken hold in the minds of the elite. And some of these elite folks, like John Adams,   who was deeply invested in Enlightenment  thinking thought Paine’s work too pedestrian,   too simplistic to communicate the  gravity of these weighty ideas.   In fact, Adams’s assessment of Common Sense  was the following, and I quote: “What a poor,   ignorant, malicious, crapulous mass.” I don’t  even know what a crapulous mass is, but I love it.
• 05:30 - 06:00 But Adams’s assessment didn’t matter.  Thomas Paine put language to things the   colonists had felt, but were not yet  able to articulate. And this pamphlet   sold like crazy. Soon everyone seemed to  be reading this powerful argument that   the only way forward was not as British  citizens, but as independent Americans. And so with this new turn in colonial sentiment,  the Second Continental Congress was in session in   1776 when a formal resolution for independence was  put on the floor. Thomas Jefferson was tasked with   composing the Declaration of Independence, which  was similarly shot through with Enlightenment
• 06:00 - 06:30 ideas like natural rights and the social contract.  Delegates moved to accept the Declaration on July   2, 1776, and two days later on the fourth,  it was made public. And that’s going to get   us into a revolutionary war with Britain, but  that’s going to have to wait for the next video. Okay, that’s what you need to know about Unit  3 topic 4 of the AP U.S. History curriculum. If   you’d like to be even more Enlightened about these  things, then it would be common sense for you to   and a five on your exam in May. And if, by chance,  you didn’t think this video was a poor, ignorant,   crapulous mass, then go ahead and subscribe  and I’ll keep making them for you. Heimler out.