The Intellectual Architects
This "Father of Liberalism" argued that all people have natural rights to life, liberty, and property.
John Locke
This 1776 document served as the official "breakup letter" sent to King George III.
The Declaration of Independence
He was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence and the 3rd U.S. President.
Thomas Jefferson
This principle states that everyone, including government leaders, must follow the law.
the Rule of Law
This 1770 event saw British soldiers fire into a crowd, killing five colonists including the martyr Crispus Attucks.
the Boston Massacre
He argued that the best way to prevent tyranny was to divide government into three branches: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial.
Baron de Montesquieu (aka French Name)
Known as the "First Draft" of the government, this document was weak and gave most power to the states.
The Articles of Confederation
This Prussian officer turned the ragtag Continental Army into a professional fighting force at Valley Forge.
Baron von Steuben
It is an (unwritten) agreement where people give up some freedom to a government in exchange for protection.
The Social Contract
In this event, to protest the Tea Act, the Sons of Liberty dump 342 chests of British tea into the harbor.
The Boston Tea Party
This Swiss philosopher emphasized popular sovereignty, the idea that a government's legitimacy comes from the will of the people.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
This is the "Supreme Law of the Land," creating a balanced government with three branches.
The US Constitution
He wrote the influential pamphlet Common Sense to convince ordinary colonists that monarchy was "absurd."
Thomas Paine
This is a system where power is divided between a strong central government and various state governments.
Federalism
This location served as the base of the Continental Army during a brutal winter of starvation and disease in 1777/1778. They would leave a proper military force.
Valley Forge
In his 1776 book The Wealth of Nations, he advocated for laissez-faire economics and minimal government interference.
Adam Smith
These first 10 amendments were added to the Constitution to protect individual freedoms like speech and religion.
The Bill of Rights
This "voice" of the rebellion in Congress served as the 2nd President of the United States.
John Adams
These are rights that cannot be taken away or denied, such as Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.
Unalienable Rights
This Treaty made Great Britain recognize the United States as a free and independent nation and ended the American Revolution.
The Treaty of Paris
This philosopher argued for Individual Autonomy, stating that humans should be treated as "ends in themselves" rather than a "means to an end."
Immanuel Kant
Written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, this compilation of essays was and is used to explain the Constitution's provisions and interpreting the Constitution's intent.
The Federalist Papers
An African American hero of the Battle of Bunker Hill. Despite being born into slavery (and later purchasing his freedom), his bravery was so exceptional that fourteen officers signed a petition to the Massachusetts General Court to recognize him as a "brave and gallant soldier."
Salem Poor
This term describes a legislature that consists of two parts or "houses."
Bicameral
The Articles of Confederation, signed in this year, while not as strong as the Constitution, would unite the 13 Colonies long enough to beat the British.
1777