Political thought and the American Revolution

Question 1

ideas of John Locke (background)

Answer 1

• believer in separation of powers
• English philosopher, physician and enlightenment thinking
• contributed to the constitution of Carolina which established a feudal aristocracy.

Question 2

Locke’s second treatise on government (1689)

Answer 2

• his work and its language were used by colonists in revolution to justify their actions
• extolled the importance of natural liberty or natural rights and how the consent of the governed was critical for legitimate rule.

Question 3

how were the colonists applying the ideas of Locke by the mid-1760s?

Answer 3

• by 1765, the colonists were arguing that there were fundamental rights that should limit the powers of the parliament

Question 4

John Adams’ opinions on Stamp Act

Answer 4

• ‘that enormous engine, fabricated by the British Parliament…’ (Diary of John Adams 1765)
• frustrated by the British government for growing control over American colonies

Question 5

why was there concern in the colonies that the British government was trying to increase its executive power?

Answer 5

• appeared to be given credence by the stationing of an army, associated with tyranny in the colonies after the Seven Years War
• appeared even more justified when Wilkes attacked the King and ministers (in Britain)

Question 6

how did Sam Adams draw on Locke’s ideas when writing the circular letter from the Massachusetts Assembly against the Townshend Duties?

Answer 6

• acknowledged that Parliament was the supreme law-making body
• but there were constitutional rights that could not be challenged
• most importantly that of taxation without representation