Government: Influential Works

Thomas Hobbes (1651)
*People naturally love liberty as well as power over others.
*To prevent war, government and social compacts are necessary
*Absolute rulers were preferable to war
*Compact Theory: Freedom is exchanged for peace

Signed by King John of England (1215)
*King accepted limitations to his rule
*King not above the law
*Addressed individual and political rights

William Bradford (1620)
*Began a colony on Plymouth Rock
*Based upon biblical covenanting tradition
*"better Ordering and Preservation"
*41 out of 102 passengers signed

Sir Edward Coke (1628)
*Law gave Englishmen their rights, not the King (Charles I)
*Focused the King's violations of law
*Resulted in English Civil War and beheading of the King

Puritan Clergymen (1639)
*First written constitution in N. America
*Preamble and 11 Orders
*Established a governor and 6 magistrates

Nathaniel Ward (1641)
*Tranquility among the Church and States
*Limits on Government Power
*Included principles of Equality and Due Process

English Parliament (1689)
*Accepted by King William and Queen Mary
*Limited power of English sovereign and banned Catholics from the throne
*Asserted inalienable and political rights

Montesquieu (1748)
*Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances
*Limited punishments to not be excessive
*Religious toleration

Benjamin Franklin (1754)
*First formal plan of union for the 13 colonies... during the war with the French
*Seven of the colonies sent delegates
*"Join or Die" Cartoon

Patrick Henry (1775)
*St. John's Church, Richmond, VA
*Called on the legislature to take up arms
*"I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience." and "...armed in the holy cause of Liberty."
*Reconciliation with the British would make them slaves

Sir William Blackstone (1765-1769)
*Four Volumes: Rights of Persons, Rights of Things, Private Wrongs, and Public Wrongs
*Attempted to condense English common law tradition into a clear system

John Dickinson (1767 – 1768)
*Urged resistance toward England but insisted on moderation and reconciliation
*British economic policies were reducing colonists to slavery
*“My dear country men, rouse yourselves and behold the ruin hanging over your heads.”

Thomas Paine (1776)
*Supported a break from Great Britain
*Denounced monarchy and claimed that people are born in a state of equality
*Natural Rights with no natural rulers among men
*“I am not induced by motives of pride, party, or resentment to espouse the doctrine of separation and independence; I am clearly, positively, and conscientiously persuaded that it is the true interest of this continent to be so.”

Richard Henry Lee (1776)
*Proposed a declaration of independence, foreign alliances to be created, and a plan for confederation
*Included in the last part of the Declaration of Independence

Thomas Jefferson (1776)
*Along with the Committee of Five
*General statement of natural rights theory and the purpose of government
*List of grievances against the King
*Declaration of independence
*Voted on July 2, adopted on July 4 when signed by President of the Continental Congress John Hancock

Thomas Paine (1776-1783)
*Sixteen essays
*“THESE are the times that try men’s souls…”
*Read to soldiers at Valley Forge