Ps 1010 American Government 1 Course Learning Outcomes

Ps 1010 American Government 1course Learning Outcomes For Unit I U

Summarize the origins of American political thought, including the influence of the Enlightenment and philosophers such as John Locke on the Founding Fathers. Indicate the major goals of the Founding Fathers, and list the events leading to the creation and subsequent weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, including their demise.

Paper For Above instruction

The origins of American political thought can be traced back to the European Enlightenment, which played a pivotal role in shaping the ideological foundation of the United States. Enlightenment thinkers such as John Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau introduced concepts of liberty, natural rights, separation of powers, and social contracts, which profoundly influenced the American colonists and the Founding Fathers. These ideas emphasized individual freedoms, the importance of limited government, and the notion that governmental authority derives from the consent of the governed, forming the bedrock of American political philosophy (Bailyn, 1992).

The Enlightenment, often called the Age of Reason, emerged in France during the 17th and 18th centuries and rapidly spread across Europe and into the American colonies. It fostered a worldview anchored in reason, scientific inquiry, and the belief that human beings can understand and improve their societies through knowledge and rational thought (Kramnick, 1999). These principles directly challenged traditional authority and religious dogma, encouraging colonists to envision a government based on rational principles that protect individual rights and promote the common good.

The significant influence of John Locke in particular provided the philosophical underpinning for much of the political thinking that led to revolution and the formation of the United States. Locke's theory of natural rights—life, liberty, and property—argued that these rights are inherent and cannot be legitimately infringed upon by governments (Locke, 1689). He also formulated the social contract theory, proposing that governments exist to secure these rights, and if they fail to do so, citizens have the right to overthrow them (Laslett, 1988). These ideas inspired key documents such as the Declaration of Independence, authored by Thomas Jefferson, where natural rights are explicitly referenced, and the government’s legitimacy is linked to the consent of the governed (Jefferson, 1776).

The Founding Fathers shared the goal of establishing a government that would protect individual rights while maintaining order. Their primary objectives included creating a political system that limited governmental powers, promoted republican ideals, and fostered the idea of self-rule. They aimed to forge a union of sovereign states that could effectively manage foreign relations, defend their territories, and secure the rights of citizens, while also preserving the autonomy of individual states (Wood, 1991).

Before the adoption of the Constitution, the colonies operated under the Articles of Confederation, ratified in 1781. The Articles, drafted during the Revolutionary War, marked America's first constitutional framework, establishing a loose confederation of sovereign states. Their main goal was to create a unified front for diplomatic and wartime purposes, allowing states to retain significant independence (Rakove, 1996). However, the Articles also contained inherent weaknesses that hindered the functioning of the new nation.

The weaknesses of these Articles included the lack of a federal executive and judiciary, the inability of the central government to levy taxes, regulate trade, or raise a standing army, and the requirement of unanimous approval among the states to amend the document (Libby, 1980). These limitations reflected the colonial desire to avoid a powerful central government reminiscent of British rule but proved problematic for addressing the economic and security challenges facing the young nation.

Specifically, the inability to tax left the federal government Treasury empty, impeding efforts to pay war debts and fund national defense. Moreover, because the government could not regulate interstate and international trade, economic disunity and disputes among states worsened, undermining the unity essential for survival (Cogan, 1997). Additionally, the absence of an executive branch meant no forceful leadership to enforce laws or coordinate policy, further weakening the nation’s capacity to respond to internal and external crises.

The weaknesses of the Articles became glaringly evident during events like Shays’ Rebellion, which exposed the fragile nature of the confederation’s capabilities to maintain order and enforce property rights. Such uprisings underscored the urgent need for a stronger federal government that could provide stability, uphold law and order, and manage economic policies effectively (Wood, 1991).

Consequently, in 1786, leaders from the states convened at Annapolis to discuss amendments to the Articles, but only five states attended, leading to a decision to hold a new convention in Philadelphia in 1787. This convention, known as the Constitutional Convention, ultimately resulted in the drafting of the U.S. Constitution, which aimed to establish a balanced system of federalism and a stronger central government (Beard, 1913).

The new Constitution drew heavily on Enlightenment ideas, particularly the social contract and separation of powers, to create a government capable of enforcing laws, collecting taxes, regulating commerce, and providing security. Influential philosophers such as Locke and Montesquieu shaped these principles, advocating for a government with checks and balances to prevent tyranny and protect individual rights (Madison, 1788).

The transition from the Articles of Confederation to the U.S. Constitution marked a significant evolution in American political thought, emphasizing stronger federal authority while maintaining respect for the sovereignty of states. This historical progression underscores the importance of Enlightenment ideas in shaping foundational American principles and the continual balancing act between federal power and states’ rights—a core issue that persists in American politics today (Farrand, 1937).

References

• Bailyn, B. (1992). The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution. Harvard University Press.
• Beard, C. A. (1913). An Economic Interpretation of the Constitution of the United States. The Free Press.
• Cogan, C. (1997). The Federal System: Principles and Practice. CQ Press.
• Farrand, M. (1937). The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787. Yale University Press.
• Jefferson, T. (1776). Declaration of Independence.
• Kramnick, R. (1999). The Enlightenment and Its Impact on American Political Thought. Cornell University Press.
• Laslett, P. (1988). Locke: Two Treatises of Government. Cambridge University Press.
• -libby, R. D. (1980). The Articles of Confederation: An Interpretation of the Federalist. Northwestern University Press.
• Locke, J. (1689).Two Treatises of Government. Awnsham Churchill.
• Rakove, J. (1996). Original Meanings: Politics and Ideas in the Making of the Constitution. Vintage Books.
• Wood, G. S. (1991). The Radicalism of the American Revolution. Vintage.