In Class

Taking Sides

Homework 9/26

Tonight for homework you will be writing two blog posts.  To successfully complete these blog posts, you must take on the perspective of a loyalist and a patriot.  For each letter, you will be telling a friend/parent/imaginary figure about the signing of the Declaration of Independence and what it means for the British colonies in North America.

Questions to think about:
How would a loyalist feel about this event?  Why/why wouldn't they think it is a good idea to declare independence from England.  

How would a Patriot feel about this event?  Why/Why wouldn't they think it is a good idea to declare independence from England.  

Each of your blog posts should be about one paragraph (5 sentences minimum) but should also get your point of view on the issue across to the reader.  You can post each 'letter' on the same blog post if you'd like.

Due: Friday, September 27

Homework 9/24

For tonight's homework you'll need your Dec. of Independence packet and the post from my blog that discusses the Enlightenment thinkers (from the day we watched the Simpsons).  Go through your packet with the blog post and highlight/annotate any enlightened ideas from Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau etc. that have made their way into the document.  We will talk about them in class tomorrow!

Simpson's Enlightenment Episode Questions

What do you think would have happened without laws on the deserted island?  Did Enlightenment thinkers have similar fears?

Why would Beccaria and other Enlightenment thinkers disagree with Nelson’s trial?



Nelson wanted to deprive Milhouse of which natural right?

What do you think Hobbes would say about the behavior of the Simpson’s characters on the island?

How does Lisa’s behavior on the deserted island reflect the beliefs of John Locke?  Explain.  

List of Enlightenment Thinkers

The Enlightenment

Enlightenment -- A movement where philosophes used nature, science and reason and applied them to ideas about how government should work.

People would meet in salons (basically women would host parties where people would discuss intellectual ideas).

Why is it important – These ideas helped to inspire the colonists to revolt and shaped our political system, which is still in place today.

Major Enlightenment Thinkers/Ideas about Human Nature and Government

Thomas Hobbes

Grew up during the English Civil War when there was chaos, saw lots of violence

Believed Humans were selfish and wicked

Needed government to keep order

People enter into a social contract, where they give up rights to a strong ruler in exchange for law and order

The best government was an absolute monarchy where one person could impose order and demand obedience.

John Locke

Humans were reasonable

People could learn from experience, improve themselves

People were capable of looking after the welfare of society

Every person is free and equal and born with natural rights to life, liberty and property.

The purpose of government is to protect natural rights – if a government does not protect these rights to life, liberty and property the people could overthrow that government.

Rousseau

People are born good but civilization corrupts people’s goodness

Humans exist best in a “state of nature”

No government is the best government

Women’s education is secondary to men, should concentrate on being good wives and mothers

Montesquieu

Power needs to be checked by power

There needs to be a separation of powers in government and a system of checks and balances

Voltaire

Promoted the ideas of tolerance, freedom, and freedom of speech through plays, histories, and fiction.

Beccaria

The purpose of law is to preserve social order NOT to avenge crimes

Against the practice of torture

Believed people had the right to a speedy trial

The degree of punishment should be based on the seriousness of the crime

Homework 9/20

For homework over the weekend, please read pgs 52 and 53 in this PDF version of the textbook (I promise you should have your book soon!)

Click this link for the Book Section 

We will talk about the Declaration of Independence next week, so be ready!

Homework 9/18

Tonight's homework is connected to the homework assignment we did in class on Wednesday, September 18.  If you were absent, all the documents and links you'll need are on this post.

Battle of Lexington Textbook Version 

Document B and Document C Handouts 

Images from the Battle of Lexington and Concord

Your Homework:  Your task is to rewrite a more historically accurate textbook excerpt using the documents provided to you and the basic information provided for you in the version from your textbook.  

Your textbook excerpt should be no more than three paragraphs long and it should be posted to your blog, not handed in in class.