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American Government Dbq Essay

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The foundations of the American government were forged during the colonial period because America’s founding fathers based most, if not all, laws and ideas on the premise of the nations that colonized America. Every nation that helped to colonize and make the New World known has had some impact on what is established in their respected jurisdiction. The Enlightenment also had a major impact on how the American government would decide to rule its people. Since the Enlightenment began shortly before the Revolution of America, the idea that philosophy could act as a legitimate source of authority was fairly new (Princeton.edu), any nation who implemented this would have been greatly influenced by the colonists. Devotion to England and her people also helped mold America into what it soon became. Since there were many people loyal to the throne, and many who were unwilling to live under …show more content…

Those who were devoted to her, felt that everything was just and that the English way was the only way to live life. Those who were against her tyrannical rule, wanted independence but still felt that the rules were fair. This can be seen because in 1689, the British Parliament passed laws that applied to the citizens of England and those occupying the colonies that England had possession of (Doc 3). These laws included those that can be found in the 1st Amendment of the United States Constitution. The founding fathers saw some positivity in these laws if they used them as the basic unalienable right given to us by God. Thomas Paine, someone who was public about his dismay toward England and her tyrannical rule, made it clear that although he and the other citizens of England were oppressed, America was the prime example of mankind (Common Sense). Meaning that America’s mission toward freedom was what all of mankind was working towards, and that without England, they would have nothing to work

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