Having been adamant believers in such laws, the founding fathers thought the best way to protect the natural rights of American citizens was to establish laws that are in agreement with divine laws. They believed that God brought the world into being with series of principles by which it should be governed. From their perspective, the American people would not be able to continue to exist as an independent civilization without the protection of these principles. Thomas Jefferson, referring to Natural Law, wrote the following words in the Declaration of Independence: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" (The Declaration of Independence, U.S. 1776, para. 2).
Likewise, Weber argues that because of the democratic ideas brought in by the French Revolution, “people are reluctant to accept that anyone is entitled to rule except the people themselves” (Shaw, 2008). He emphasizes instead the importance of state bureaucratization or having skilled rulers in place of direct democracy (ibid). The postmodernists
Thomas More’s Utopia and The Prince by Machiavelli are clearly different texts, especially in their approach towards political and governmental reform. This distinction is made apparent through More’s idealism versus Machiavelli’s pragmatism. More’s political reform suggests a utopian, ideal, and almost perfect society governed by an equally good governmental system which is based on high moral standards and human happiness. On the other hand, Machiavelli suggests a government where those in power take advantage of the circumstances, manipulate society, and take advantage of their power in order to ensure security, peace, and well-being. Although Machiavelli’s approach does not meet the Utopian moral standards and seems to be unethical, I think that his views are superior to More’s because it deals with the real and practical rather than the imaginary and the ideal.
John Locke was a key figure in the Enlightenment (which was at its peak at the time of the revolution), who stated that the government’s duty was to secure the rights of the people with the consent of the governed. If the government fails to do its duty, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to create a new one. Essentially, this was what the American Declaration of Independence revolved around; it calls out King George III on his acts that violates their values of equality and their unalienable rights and declares the independence of the thirteen
Jefferson uses repetition by using same words to educate the King with what they believe in and hoping that these beliefs are enough for the King to agree with the decision of the Colonists to break apart from them without causing any bloodshed. The repeated words purpose was emphasize the feelings of Jefferson for his beliefs to change the King’s attitude of keeping the Colonist as resources for Britain and let the Colonist have their freedom. Finally, Jefferson uses restatement; Other people think that he used it effectively because it makes his message clearer and stress on key points.
Thomas Paine used God and heaven to explain to the people that the taxing and tyrannic power is wrong (Doc. 7). Thomas Paine says that Britain has “an army to enforce her tyranny”, but he argued that the colonists shouldn’t have to pay taxes that others don’t to a king that is an ocean away (Doc. 7). Thomas Paine says such things to support Patriotism and to call for greater colonial support of the Revolution (Doc.
With such a virtuous cause (and some help from the French), the Patriots were able to fend off the British to win independence. The leaders of the revolution¬¬: the Founding Fathers set up a democratic republic. Their new nation would share the values of democracy. George Washington once stated, "As Mankind becomes more liberal, they will be more apt to allow that all those who conduct themselves as worthy members of the community are equally entitled to the protections of civil government. I hope ever to see America among the foremost nations of justice and liberality" (Democracy quotes).
Another influential philosopher was the french Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who wrote the Bill Of Rights. It protected the people's right from the government. These new ideas influenced in the French Revolution just like other revolutions did too. In 1776 the American revolution took place and inspired the French people. The British colonies in the America’s declared their independence from the English Court and the lower class in France saw the possibility of throwing down the French
The first source depicts an ideology that holds the belief that change in society leads to radical thoughts that will later incite a revolution. The revolt would cause chaos and disarray to society. This expresses the ideal way to provide prosperity and harmony to society is for individuals to follow government law and order. The source, concerning the issue of the status quo in society, is a resolution that connects to classical liberalism. Conservatism is rooted in liberalism, explaining that its core values rely on maintaining the traditions and the social order of the past generation.
In his book, ‘The reflection on the French Revolution’, Burke asserts his view on universal law very clearly. Burke believed that laws and rights were inherited and not universal. This is One of the biggest reasons he supported the American Revolution and not the French revolution. He believed that the American’s rights were by birth the British rights they inherited and even though they chose to immigrate, the British army was impeding their rights. The French, he argues, were disgracing the constitution and monarchy they had inherited.