1. Jefferson said it was a blast
against “chains” of “monkish
ignorance and superstition” in
which men had willingly bound
themselves
Declaration of
Independence

2. American Rebellion
“The spirit of the European Enlightenment
informed the American Declaration of
Independence.”
– Reject monarchy/dynastic legitmacy
– Began as tax revolt/fiscal crisis
– Endorse Equality (white males)
– Based on consent of governed
– Inalienable Natural Rights
– Including Right of Rebellion when rights
violated
– Written constitution to limit govt power

3. John Locke 1632-1794
Key inspiration for Decl of Independence
Physician
“Two Treatises on Government” (1690)
argues consent of people basis of
political legitimacy
Social contract theory
Limited government
Natural rights
Separation of Religion and Govt
faith private matter

4. Locke’s Letter on Toleration (1689)
“chief identifying mark of the true
Church”

5. Locke’s Letter on Toleration
(1689)

7. French Revolution
• Murder king!
• Began as severe tax
revolt/fiscal crisis, caused .5 % Clergy &
by French support of 1.5% Nobles, 1st
Americans! and 2nd Estates ,
all wealth no
• Declarations of Rights of taxes
Man and Citizen
86% of peasants,
3rd Estate, no
wealth all taxes

8. Compare American
Rebellion/French Revolution
Originated as tax revolts
 British caused by fighting French
 French caused by aiding Americans
@ Brits!

9. Some Differences between
the Rebellion and the
Revolution?
• 1. Americans did not kill the king!
– Terror, determined fight by
aristocrats all over Europe
• 2. Three thousands miles of ocean
• 3. George Washington!
(He was not Bonaparte!)