Assignment Seven

American Revolution:

At first, the colonists' rights were not being upheld. Large, impossible taxes were being enforced in an attempt to repay war debt. The anti-federalists especially were afraid of the government mirroring British Parliament. Therefore, the new Constitution included a Bill of Rights to ensure the freedoms of all Americans.

One of the major events that led up to the creation of the Bill of Rights was Shay's Rebellion. Shay, a farmer with large debt on his hands, led the rebellion in order to protest the unfair and impossible taxes.

The colonists were justified in breaking the law. They saw a flaw in their government, acted against it, and sparked its change for the better. In cases such as these, breaking the law is justifyable if the government is not upholding one's natural rights and freedoms.


20th Century:

After the Constitution was written, many African slaves began to have a new hope: the hope that they, too, could be "considered equal" as all other men were. Between 1955 and 1968, the African American Civil Rights Movement took place. Blacks were desperate to remove segregation from the United States. If "all men were created equal", why were they not considered "equal men" as well?

Many event took place during this time that eventually led to equal rights for African Americans. Some of these events included non-violnent protest and civil disobediance, such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the Greensboro Sit-In, and the Selma to Montgomery marches.

The African Americans were justified in breaking the law. Their rights as men and women were not being upheld. Through their effort, laws were passed to successfully end segregation: the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Civil Rights Act of 1968.

Assignment Six

(I read through a little of each, but mostly focused on The Rights of the Colonists by Samual Adams.)

1. What did you learn about life during the revolutionary era from reading this document? I learned about the American struggle for freedom; freedom of religion, life, land, and liberty. The Americans wanted desperately to be independent from Britain rule and regulation. They strived for the revolution, to become an independent country.


2. What surprised you the most about what you read? What surprised me the most about the American Revolution was the Americans' determination. The commonfolk, the Continental Congress, and the Continental Army/Navy were all so determined that despite all odds (fewer, barely-trained men), they won the war. The American fight for freedom surprised but inspired me. It showed me that no matter what the odds against you are, you can win with enough hope and determination.

Assignment One

1. List five purposes of the government.

To uphold our natural rights.

To provide a stable defense against adversaries.

To shelter us from poverty.

To allow us our freedoms.

To let our decisions affect its structure.

2. Would you be willing to join a revolution if our government was not fulfilling the purposes of government you listed above? Why? Why not? Yes; I would join a revolution. If the government were not upholding these attributes, especially the 'natural rights' and 'freedoms' parts, I would be very willing to join a revolution in order to better the government.