The History and Origins of US Government
Students will ultimately be exploring the history of ideas that contributed to the founding of the goverment paricular to the United States of America. To achieve this goal a variety of influences will be considered. At first we will focus on the elements of our government that can be traced back to the dawn of civilization. The most fundamental questions will be aired and examined: Why is government necessary? What factors influence the development of governments? Why did people think common rules were necessary to begin with? Are there such things as "natural laws?" What is the difference between autocratic and contract-based government? What is "freedom?" What is "justice?" These are just a few of the important questions we will be investigating.
The original focus will next turn to the specific elements that directly influenced the thinking of the founders of our republic. The political contributions of the ancient, medieval, renaissance, enlightenment, and industrial age world will be studied. At this point proper emphasis is placed on tracing our political "lineage" through the historical development of political philosophies and government forms.
The end of this process of discovery will be achieved in the realization of the factors which compelled thirteen North American Colonies to revolt against British rule, unite in a declaration of political independence, fight a seemingly unwinnable war of rebellion, and create a new and unique form of government. Click below on 1764-1776 to see important details.