As you mark up Of the Dissolution of Government. I want you to concentrate on these things:
Consider the distinction Locke makes between society and government. Why does he consider this an important distinction? Use a sticky note or markup type to reflect on this.
What is the purpose of Government? Is his definition of purpose theonly purpose? In our era, what other purposes does the government of the United States of America seem to have?
Remember Cicero, whom we read a few weeks ago. Do you see any evidence that Locke knew Cicero's theory and was following it? (Think of what Cicero says about bad legislators).
How does Locke answer those who would argue that under his theory there would be a constant stream of revolutionary conflicts. Note that he gives several reasons. Underline them, and mark the one with which you agree the most.
Is rebellion a duty or a choice under the situations he mentions. What do you think?
As you mark up the Declaration of Independence, I want you to concentrate on these things:
First, consider that the Declaration is divided into three parts--the middle part being indented. If you were to give a subtitle to the middle part, what would it be?
In the middle part, and in the few words of the sentence before, is there evidence that Thomas Jefferson, principal author, knew and drew upon John Locke? If so, what is that evidence? (Make sure you consider the last part of the first section and the first part of the last section).
If you were to have to choose the FIVE most important claims in the middle section which would they be? Number them 1-5.
As you mark up the Constitution, You will note that there are certain items which later amendments have changed. (Most of these are italicized). Do you see a pattern in the changes? Is the Constitution moving in one direction or another? (We'll be coming back to study the amendments later.) One hint: I think nobody in this room except myself would have been able to vote under the original constitution.
As you mark up Thomas Jefferson's letter. I want you to concentrate on these things:
You can pretty much ignore the first paragraph. Jefferson is apologizing for having not written for quite a while. The second paragraph indicates things of which he approves. Try to paraphrase them in your own words, and consider whether you agree with them or not. There is one thing about which he is both right and wrong. Can you figure it out? Don't look for it in the document as written or in any of the amendments. You can look for it here.
Following the things of which he approves are things of which he does not approve. Mark what they are. Have any of them been changed? If so which ones? (One of them may have been a result of this precise letter. Have there been accusations of one of these kinds of "interference" in the current election cycle? If so, what?
Try putting in your own words what he means by a "very energetic" government. Is he right? Why or why not?
As you mark up Benjamin Franklin's Speech, I want you to concentrate on these things:
First, what indication is there that he is using a satirical approach in this letter.
Second remembering that this is satire, is there any indication of what Franklin's view of human nature and human destiny is despite the use of satire.
Does Franklin wish the delegates to sign the Constitution? What evidence is there despite the satire?
Given what you know of human history, is Franklin right or wrong in the long run? What do you think?
As you mark up the Bill of rights,
Is there evidence that Thomas Jefferson had an influence in their formation? If so, mark those amendments which seem to respond most clearly to the remarks in his letter.
In your opinion, which of these amendments, if any, are more important than the rest, and why do you think so?
