The world's oldest continuous democracy
One of the most fundamental and far-reaching changes brought about by the Age of Enlightenment was the principal of citizen representation in government and the right to vote. However, this cannot and should not be taken for granted. Looking at the United States, we can see that an equal share of voting across society has never existed and continues to be unequal.
A brief history of the United States in maps
Christopher Columbus sailed west from Spain in 1492, sponsored by the Spanish government, which hoped to find an overseas trade route to southeast Asia. Instead, Columbus landed in the Bahamas, in a part of the world most Europeans had no idea existed. This event set off a century-long race among Europe’s major powers to explore and claim the continent (Portugal promised, in a treaty with Spain, to focus instead on Africa and Asia). This development was purely about economics, but which explorer happened to land where ultimately shaped centuries of history: Spanish-explored areas became Spanish-controlled, whereas French explorers’ journeys through the Saint Lawrence River, Lake Ontario, and the Mississippi River meant that Quebec and the Mississippi Delta would become French colonial territory. |
This animated map shows the changes to North America’s colonial and post-colonial borders from 1750 to the present. There are some interesting nuggets to pull out, such as the tiny transfer of land between Nebraska and the Dakota Territory in 1882, or the fact that it took until 1949 for Newfoundland to join Canada. There’s also an interesting US-Mexico border dispute that was resolved during the Nixon administration. This land was not empty, as you can see from the map below, and in many ways this period could be seen as a European "land grab" of astonishing proportions. There's not much democratic about that. |
From the US 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 contradiction of racial inequality still haunts the United States today. |
As we have seen already during the period known as the Enlightenment, not everybody saw positive change. Within 100 years of the United States becoming a democracy, Native American peoples in North America had seen their lands devoured and their people all but wiped out. Native American people's were certainly not equal in the eyes of the American government. |
The American Revolution marks the beginning of the modern era in many ways. It created a Republic ruled without a monarch. The rules of this new state were enshrined in a Constitution which in itself were ideas of the Enlightenment put into practice - words like freedom, individual, liberty and fraternity were now part and parcel of the legal system of a new nation. It promoted the values of the people who had fought against an authority they saw as unjust and won. It provided an example of how to put into practise the revolutions of the mind that had dominated early modern Europe.
The Colonies of the Atlantic coast of N America had been ruled by the British Crown for centuries. Over that time, the Colonists had come to see themselves as an independent people. However, the British King (George III) and Parliament still saw them as the property of Great Britain and refused to allow any of their representatives into Parliament. As a result, frustration at their lack of a political voice began to grow and opposition to British rule of the Colonies increased.
The Colonies of the Atlantic coast of N America had been ruled by the British Crown for centuries. Over that time, the Colonists had come to see themselves as an independent people. However, the British King (George III) and Parliament still saw them as the property of Great Britain and refused to allow any of their representatives into Parliament. As a result, frustration at their lack of a political voice began to grow and opposition to British rule of the Colonies increased.
Why did the Colonists declare war on the British Empire?
The British Empire by the end of the 18thC had started to establish itself around the world, with key trading ports in the Mediterranean, Africa, the New World and Asia. Its jewel in the crown however was the Eastern Seaboard of the North American landmass - the unlimited amount of resources that the Colonies provided was matched only by its potential. the timber helped make the British Navy the predominant military organisation of its era, and its cotton and markets helped Britain industrialise decades before anyone else. Given Britain's economic and military might, it seems inconceivable that the divided and still dependent Colonists population saw they had any chance in claiming these lands for themselves - but that is exactly what they did. What inspired this decision? How did they believe they could win?
Now click on the link below and answer the questions by watching the documentary on HistoryChamps from 16.30 to 24.00 minutes.
Andrew Marr’s History of the World – ep 6 – the Colonies
1. What did the UK Parliament stand for ? 2. What was British about the way the Colonies were governed ? 3. What wasn’t British about the Colonies? 4. Why were taxes a problem for the colonists ? 5. Who took action against which tax? 6. What did they do? 7. Why was this important? |
Using the sub-headings below,
- European colonies in the Americas
- Democratic ideas in the Colonies
- Causes of the American Revolution
Who decides the history we know and accept?
As we already know, history only exists in the present. Or to look at it more deeply:
So let's look at one of the most famous events causing the American Revolution, The Boston Tea Party. And one of the least, The Edenton Tea Party. One you might have heard of, the other definitely not.
TASK
Click on the links above to read about the two events and then answer the questions below.
Click on the links above to read about the two events and then answer the questions below.
1. Explain the significance of the origin (source) of each story? How does this affect our understanding of the history?
2. Which event happened first? Why might this be significant?
3. Which event was more dramatic? Why might this effect the events place in history?
4. Who was involved in the Edenton Tea Party? Why might this effect the events place in history?
5. Both events happened at the start of the American Revolution. Can you briefly explain why they are not known in the same way?
2. Which event happened first? Why might this be significant?
3. Which event was more dramatic? Why might this effect the events place in history?
4. Who was involved in the Edenton Tea Party? Why might this effect the events place in history?
5. Both events happened at the start of the American Revolution. Can you briefly explain why they are not known in the same way?
TASK
Research in more detail one cause of the American Revolution and present your findings to the class.
Make this a specific event, action, location or person and explain its connection to the wider story, making links and arguments.
Research in more detail one cause of the American Revolution and present your findings to the class.
Make this a specific event, action, location or person and explain its connection to the wider story, making links and arguments.
How was propaganda used to encourage people to fight against the British?
Propaganda is an effort to manipulate other people’s beliefs, attitudes, or actions by means of symbols (words, gestures, banners, monuments, music, clothing, insignia, hairstyles, designs on coins and postage stamps, and so forth).
The anti British campaigners such as the Sons of Liberty and Paul Revere used propaganda to try and persuade fellow Colonists to join the struggle.
They used simple slogans and pictures to express political views such as the Join or Die poster below.
The anti British campaigners such as the Sons of Liberty and Paul Revere used propaganda to try and persuade fellow Colonists to join the struggle.
They used simple slogans and pictures to express political views such as the Join or Die poster below.
During the Revolutionary War, Benjamin Franklin and Paul Revere were among the people who created stunning pieces of art that inspired the fight for America's independence.
These intricate pieces of propaganda were printed in papers and pamphlets, and delivered throughout the colonies. These images were a patriotic call to arms and the sentiments conveyed in them inspired other wartime art generations later.
These intricate pieces of propaganda were printed in papers and pamphlets, and delivered throughout the colonies. These images were a patriotic call to arms and the sentiments conveyed in them inspired other wartime art generations later.
Look at the images below.
What makes these good pieces of propaganda? Consider the use of:
Write a paragraph, using specific evidence from the sources in your answer.
What makes these good pieces of propaganda? Consider the use of:
- Images
- Words
- Information
- Emotion
- Social context
- Audience
Write a paragraph, using specific evidence from the sources in your answer.
Assessment task
Create a piece of propaganda in support of independence for the colonies and the call for war against the British.
Include:
For full marks, you will need to include historically relevant images, slogans and information. Colour and images will need to have impact and relevance. The design will need to show effort, care and attention.
A mixture of the 3 examples below is a good guide for your final piece of work.
Create a piece of propaganda in support of independence for the colonies and the call for war against the British.
Include:
- Historical detail
- Relevant images
- Appropriate language
- Engaging design
- Meaningful use of colour, text and formatting
For full marks, you will need to include historically relevant images, slogans and information. Colour and images will need to have impact and relevance. The design will need to show effort, care and attention.
A mixture of the 3 examples below is a good guide for your final piece of work.
Finally, you must start by planning your work thoroughly.
Decide what information you will use, what images are best and how to arrange them, what theme you will concentrate on (freedom, tax, etc) and how this will look on the page. Again, cut and paste works well on paper, on the iPad think about scale and colour.
Decide what information you will use, what images are best and how to arrange them, what theme you will concentrate on (freedom, tax, etc) and how this will look on the page. Again, cut and paste works well on paper, on the iPad think about scale and colour.
Propaganda poster mark scheme.
How did the American Colonists win and what did that mean for the people of the United States?
Watch the video and answer the following questions.
1. How did the colonists resist British rule?
2. What role did ideas of the Enlightenment play in the new system of government?
3. Which group in society benefitted most from property rights?
4. "All men are created equal". To what extent did the United States fall short of this ideal?
5. Was the American Revolution a revolution of the mind? Use arguments from the video in your answer.
1. How did the colonists resist British rule?
2. What role did ideas of the Enlightenment play in the new system of government?
3. Which group in society benefitted most from property rights?
4. "All men are created equal". To what extent did the United States fall short of this ideal?
5. Was the American Revolution a revolution of the mind? Use arguments from the video in your answer.
What was the outcome of the American Revolution?
Who were the winners and who were the losers?
Watch the video and answer the following questions.
1. How were slaves impacted by the conflict?
2. How were women impacted by the conflict?
3. How were native people's impacted by the conflict?
4. How was the US economy affected by the new ideas of government?
5. Why did slavery not disappear?
6. What is suggested to be the core revolutionary idea that came from the American Revolution?
1. How were slaves impacted by the conflict?
2. How were women impacted by the conflict?
3. How were native people's impacted by the conflict?
4. How was the US economy affected by the new ideas of government?
5. Why did slavery not disappear?
6. What is suggested to be the core revolutionary idea that came from the American Revolution?
In what way does the Declaration of Independence exist in the present?
Task
Describe the key misunderstanding in the Declaration of Independence suggested in the video.
Describe the key misunderstanding in the Declaration of Independence suggested in the video.
What is the legacy of the American Revolution?
Assessment Task
In small groups (or, if you want to do this alone, you can), create a presentation, using evidence and justified argument that proposes the most important legacy of the American Revolution.
This can be positive or negative, or both.
Questions for you to consider include:
Each group needs to choose a different question.
Use maps, images, clear headings, quotes and, importantly specific evidence to back up your arguments.
In small groups (or, if you want to do this alone, you can), create a presentation, using evidence and justified argument that proposes the most important legacy of the American Revolution.
This can be positive or negative, or both.
Questions for you to consider include:
- How does the American idea of democracy influence the world today?
- Is the United States a positive influence and role model?
- Is the American Dream a reality?
- Does the United States have more power than they should?
- Would slavery have ended sooner if Britain had won and would the legacy of slavery have been reduced?
- To what extent is US society unequal, in spite of the US ideas of equality?
- Has the United States promoted global democracy or its own interests?
Each group needs to choose a different question.
Use maps, images, clear headings, quotes and, importantly specific evidence to back up your arguments.
Mark scheme [10]
Presentation content
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Presentation slides
Well proofread.
Clear and easy to understand. Images and layout wholly add to understanding. A few errors in spelling and grammar. Mostly clear and readable. Images and layout add reasonably to understanding. Clear errors in spelling and grammar. Not very clear or readable. Images and layout add little to understanding. Consistent errors in spelling and grammar. Not clear or readable. Images and layout missing or add nothing to understanding. |