Today, while others are writing their articles in our newspaper, you will watch this video on the Bill of Rights. As you watch the video, you will write all 10 amendments in the Bill of Rights in your history folder for us to discuss on Wednesday. Use the video and stop as it goes over all 10 amendments.

Watch this video about George Washington’s Presidency, and answer these questions:

1. What advice did George Washington give about foreign nations?
2. What was Washington’s main message in his farewell speech?
3. Why is Washington considered the father of his country?

Some information about the Founding Fathers

George Washington-George Washington was the commander of the Continental Army, and was first president of the United States. Known as the “Father of His Country”.

Thomas Jefferson-third president of the United States and the chief author of the Declaration of Independence

John Adams-first Vice-President of the US * and 2nd President of the US.

Benjamin Franklin-a Founding Father of the United States, a scientist, inventor, and diplomat

Diplomat-a person who represents their country to other countries and works to advance their country’s foreign policy goals.

Alexander Hamilton-Alexander Hamilton was a Founding Father of the United States who played a key role in the creation of the country’s financial system.

The Second Continental Congress
American leaders started meeting in Philadelphia in May 1775. George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay and others.
They unified the colonies
They named George Washington commander of the Continental army.
But they also tried to make up with Britain and sent King George a petition to stop hostilities and declared their loyalty to the king. King George rejected the petition, and said the colonies were in rebellion. After that, the Americans started building a navy, printed money to pay bills, and the colonies agreed to pay for the war. They also started talking to Britain’s old enemy, France, to help them in the war.

After the battle of Bunker Hill, George Washington took over command of the Continental army. They went after the British troops in Boston, and laid siege to them, until the British were forced to leave.

Thomas Paine published Common Sense in January 1776, and the Americans bought into his idea that it just makes sense to break away from the King and England because of the way they were being treated.
Paine convinced Americans that they needed independence and a democratic republic.

Questions for Review(Exit Ticket):

1. Why do you think that the Americans picked George Washington as the commander of the Continental Army?
2. Why do you think the Americans sent King George a letter declaring their loyalty to him? Should King George have accepted the letter?
3. Name 3 things that the Second Continenal Congress accomplished?

Tuesday

Declaration of Independence

The 2nd Continental Congress gave 33 year old Thomas Jefferson the task of writing the Declaration of Independence in June 1776. Why did they pick Jefferson?
Jefferson was a very effective writer, and he had previously written strong essays about independence.
He was also widely liked, unlike some others, so it was thought his writings would be accepted.
Jefferson’s declaration was approved on July 4, 1776, and America declared its independence.

****The major points of the Declaration are****:
1. that all men are created equal,
2. that people have unalienable rights including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,
3. Governments get their power from the people and must have their consent to be legitimate
4. and that citizens have the right to overthrow a government that violates these rights if it becomes destructive to their well-being.

Here are the exact words of the Declaration of Independence:
https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript#:~:text=We%2C%20therefore%2C%20the%20Representatives%20of,these%20United%20Colonies%20are%2C%20and

Let’s watch a video that describes the Declaration of Independence in words you can understand better:

Wednesday:
The Founding Fathers:

The Founding Fathers are a group of men who were important political figures in getting the colonies together as a group. They signed the Declaration of Independence, writing the Constitution, and leading the American Revolution. Let’s look at some of them:

George Washington-George Washington is considered a crucial figure in American history because he led the Continental Army to victory in the Revolutionary War, securing the nation’s independence, and later served as the first President of the United States, setting important precedents for the office

Thomas Jefferson-He authored he Declaration of Independence, served as 3rd President of the US, and he oversaw the Louisiana Purchase, which doubled the size of our nation.

John Adams-Actively pushed for American independence, served as 2nd President of the US and Washingtons’ Vice President, and he proposed that the government have 3 parts-executive, judicial, and legislative branches. He was also a key diplomat in getting loans from France for the Revolutionary War.

James Madison-The “Father of the Constitution”, and he drafted the first 10 amendments to the Constitution(The Bill of Rights), and he was the 4th President of the United States.

Benjamin Franklin-The only person to sign all 4 documents -The Declaration of Independence, The Treaty of Alliance with France, The Treaty of Paris, and the Constitution. He was a key diplomat to France and got France to help the US in the Revolutionary War. He was known for his wisdom and ability to compromise.
Franklin was never President because he was too old and ill(81 when the Constitution was held), and he died before the 1st Presidential Election was held.

Alexander Hamilton-Signer of the Declaration of Independence, fought in the Revolutionary War, was the 1st Secretary of the Treasury and created the US financial system, and he advocated for a strong central government. Hamilton grew up very poor, and was an orphan at age 13.
He was never President because he had an affair with a married woman, and he was cocky and arrogant. He was shot and killed in a duel with Aaron Burr in 1804, who was Vice President at the time. He had called Burr “a dangerous man” and was not to be trusted.

Exercise:
Pick one of the Founding Fathers and research and write 5 facts about him that I have not listed here. Be creataive!

Thursday:

Let’s talk about duels!!
Here’s how duels occurred:
An offended party sent a challenge through his second. If the recipient apologized, the matter usually ended. If he elected to fight, the recipient chose the weapons(swords or pistols) and the time and place of the encounter. Up until combat began, apologies could be given and the duel stopped.
They would stand back to back, walk about 10-20 paces apart, turn and fire, either at the same time or one after another by coin toss within 3 seconds. Duels with pistols were rarely fatal(less than 10% of the time). The last duel in America was in 1859, between US Senator David Broderick and ex-Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court David Terry. Broderick died. They had argued over slavery(Broderick-anti and Terry-pro). Terry was charged but the charges were dismissed.

Exercise:
Write a paragraph about how politics would be different today if duels were still allowed, and write another paragraph about why it was right to outlaw duels as a means to settle arguements.