american goverment
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Ideals of American Government
Name
University
Ideals of American Government
The concept of individual freedoms began with the Puritan settlers who came to America to escape oppressive laws and the unchecked power of the Monarchy, which stifled religious expression and personal liberties. The Declaration of Independence mirrors the importance of individual freedoms and liberties, and outlines just how unchecked power can become a tyrannical presence in the lives of citizens. Thomas Jefferson believed in equality and freedom, and advocated for these and the creation of the Bill of Rights, which protects each individual’s natural or unalienable rights from an oppressive government. Both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were formed with the ideals of Puritan influences and individual liberties.
Individual Liberties
Thomas Jefferson’s unparalleled vision for this country shaped what we know today as American ideals. Jefferson believed that all individuals, no matter their race, economic status, or skills were created equal under God. He was an advocate for the power of citizens, who were to have control over how those in power governed society and the laws of this country. He was an opponent to tyranny, Monarchy, and dictatorship; rendering much of the say in important matters to political officials who are elected by the people and who espouse and fight for the interests of the populace (Jillson, 2004).
Individual liberties began with the Puritan colonies who separated from England’s religious rule and demand for allegiance. The government the Puritans established had the interests of the members of the community at its center. The downfall of this type of government happened when those in power rejected the rise of the individual, one who could make of their life what they wanted in the way they wanted. As a result, a secular government took over where life, liberty and property became a major concern and the protections of these were priority. Thomas Jefferson believed this also, that the average working individual could carve out a life for himself through hard work, accumulation, steady growth over time, and fair competition. Jefferson was an egalitarian, so equality among citizens was crucial for individual liberties to be sustained (Jillson, 2004).
Personal freedoms, as outlined in Declaration of Independence, are provided to all citizens and describe people’s right to have a say in the government that presides over them. In fact, the Declaration specifically states that all men are entitled to “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” and to secure these rights, “governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed” (Declaration, 1776). Jefferson believed in education for all so they could be informed (Jefferson, 1787).
There are detractors who say that certain groups of citizens of this country have not been treated equally and these groups should now be raised to a higher status than others (Jillson, 2004). It is true that exclusions and negative treatment of certain groups has taken place in our Nation’s past, but amends and accommodations have been made with the ideals of the Declaration of Independence as the basis for these remedies. Equality has been contested by many dominating groups of people in history, including the Social Darwinists who considered inequality to be the law of natural order. Presently it seems that the group of people who excluded all others are now being ostracized, criticized, and demonized in our society just for the color of their skin or gender. Feminists, who fought for gender equality, for just one example, have become outspoken misandrists who openly condemn the heterosexual male. One such feminist, Julie Bindel even stated publicly, with no repercussions, that she would put all men in “camps” and shamelessly hopes that “heterosexuality doesn’t survive” (Radfem, 2015). This is not equality, but bigotry and prejudice, the very same negativity advocacy groups say they are against. In our society built on the ideal of equality, this type of speech and behavior simply does not fit.
There is also inequality being created with the effort to make things equal in our society. Programs such as affirmative action discriminate against those who are white when competing with minorities. These types of mandates should be eradicated, so that the Jeffersonian ideal of achievement based on merit and hard work is reinstated. There are many minority individuals who can achieve based on their merits and fair competition would ensue when these compete for the same employment or education position with whites.
Puritan Influences
The Puritan settlers came to America to escape religious tyranny and to establish their own society based on their right to practice and express their beliefs free of persecution. Puritan community solidarity was built upon this ideal, as well as the notion of a limited government. To the Puritans, a king or government was not above the law, but was responsible to it, and established that it is the right of the people to revolt when the governing powers fail to abide by the rule of law (Howe, 1987). It was also the tradition of religious separation and dissent that provided the people with the right of revolution when oppression and tyranny are imposed on the people by the governing body. This stems from Puritan-Calvanistic views that man is subject to God, and only God is absolute; so people who govern the citizens are mere mortals and cannot be trusted completely and should be looked at with suspicion. In this way, the people are ever ready to set them straight when they go “astray” from the interests of the populace (Howe, 1987).
As the Puritans began to change from a theology to a more secular government, they saw that individualism could benefit the community by enabling each person to assume control over their own future. Merit based egalitarianism has its roots in Puritan thought as each person, regardless of race, age or gender was considered able to interpret for themselves what religion meant to them, and each had a free choice to enter into a covenant with God and in the Church (Howe, 1987). Within the Puritan community, citizens experienced equality, including women, which was unprecedented in Europe. These ideals helped to establish the American creed and related ideals with which the Constitution was written. The Bill of Rights specifically outlines the individual’s unalienable rights, which the Constitution does not grant us, but instead it protects these rights, because as citizens of this country, they are granted to us already. Article I gives us the freedom of speech, the freedom to exercise our religious beliefs, freedom of the press, the right to assemble and protest, and the right to petition our government when we have grievances (Constitution, 1789). The freedom of religion began with our Puritan ancestors who settled here for that purpose.
Detractors may assert that the Puritans did not believe in equality due to the fact that Anne Hutchinson and Roger Williams were exiled for their unorthodox views regarding the religion. It is true these individuals were exiled. Anne Hutchinson did enjoy equality as a woman, as she was able to read from the bible to other women and hold study groups to teach them scripture, again this was unprecedented in Europe. Anne also led the first major religious revival in the Puritan colony, known as the Antinomian Controversy from 1636-1638. However, Anne held what we know today as Libertarian views which were contrary to the accepted standard in Puritan society (Howe, 1987).
Detractors may also claim that Puritanism was not an influence on American ideals as they did not have separation of church and state, instead, the church and local government worked closely together to govern the people. This was true until Puritan Theocracy fell and a more secular government took its place. It is the secular government formed by the Puritans that has a very similar structure to what we follow today. Out of the ideal that working, saving, investing, and growing came ambition, which led to success and a higher role within the Puritan community. This is, essentially, the American Dream, and what Thomas Jefferson centered his goal of what our American Government should be. The Bill of Rights, which was advocated for by Thomas Jefferson, was intended not only to establish the protection of citizens’ natural (unalienable) rights, but to define governmental boundaries and prevent infringements on the civil rights of the people (Jillson, 2004).
In conclusion, our present American Republic was made with the influences of many ideals, but none more important than the ideals of individual liberties and our ancestral Puritan influences. Individual liberties began with the Puritans, who settled here to escape the persecution and demand for religious allegiance to the Church of England; a religion they refused to espouse as their own. Establishing a colony here in America granted them the religious freedom we are all still entitled to today. Without these ideals for the basis of our society, our culture and freedoms would be very different than they are. It is important to remember that equality means we all have opportunities and choices to either make our lives better or allow them to remain the same. Merit, hard word and perseverance grant us the achievements our forefathers opened for us by creating the society we enjoy today. The entire world over, America has always been the land of freedom and opportunity, and we can thank those who came before us for all of it.
References
Declaration of Independence (1776). Retrieved from:
Howe, D. (1987). The impact of Puritanism on American culture. The Encyclopedia of the
Jefferson, T. (1787). Letter to James Madison. Retrieved from:
Jillson, C. (2004). Pursuing the American dream: Opportunity and exclusion over four centuries.
Lawrence, KS: University Press of Kansas.
Radfem Collective. (29 August, 2015) An Interview with Julie Bindel. Retrieved from:
The Constitution of the United States. (1789). Retrieved from:
Name
University
Ideals of American Government
The concept of individual freedoms began with the Puritan settlers who came to America to escape oppressive laws and the unchecked power of the Monarchy, which stifled religious expression and personal liberties. The Declaration of Independence mirrors the importance of individual freedoms and liberties, and outlines just how unchecked power can become a tyrannical presence in the lives of citizens. Thomas Jefferson believed in equality and freedom, and advocated for these and the creation of the Bill of Rights, which protects each individual’s natural or unalienable rights from an oppressive government. Both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were formed with the ideals of Puritan influences and individual liberties.
Individual Liberties
Thomas Jefferson’s unparalleled vision for this country shaped what we know today as American ideals. Jefferson believed that all individuals, no matter their race, economic status, or skills were created equal under God. He was an advocate for the power of citizens, who were to have control over how those in power governed society and the laws of this country. He was an opponent to tyranny, Monarchy, and dictatorship; rendering much of the say in important matters to political officials who are elected by the people and who espouse and fight for the interests of the populace (Jillson, 2004).
Individual liberties began with the Puritan colonies who separated from England’s religious rule and demand for allegiance. The government the Puritans established had the interests of the members of the community at its center. The downfall of this type of government happened when those in power rejected the rise of the individual, one who could make of their life what they wanted in the way they wanted. As a result, a secular government took over where life, liberty and property became a major concern and the protections of these were priority. Thomas Jefferson believed this also, that the average working individual could carve out a life for himself through hard work, accumulation, steady growth over time, and fair competition. Jefferson was an egalitarian, so equality among citizens was crucial for individual liberties to be sustained (Jillson, 2004).
Personal freedoms, as outlined in Declaration of Independence, are provided to all citizens and describe people’s right to have a say in the government that presides over them. In fact, the Declaration specifically states that all men are entitled to “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” and to secure these rights, “governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed” (Declaration, 1776). Jefferson believed in education for all so they could be informed (Jefferson, 1787).
There are detractors who say that certain groups of citizens of this country have not been treated equally and these groups should now be raised to a higher status than others (Jillson, 2004). It is true that exclusions and negative treatment of certain groups has taken place in our Nation’s past, but amends and accommodations have been made with the ideals of the Declaration of Independence as the basis for these remedies. Equality has been contested by many dominating groups of people in history, including the Social Darwinists who considered inequality to be the law of natural order. Presently it seems that the group of people who excluded all others are now being ostracized, criticized, and demonized in our society just for the color of their skin or gender. Feminists, who fought for gender equality, for just one example, have become outspoken misandrists who openly condemn the heterosexual male. One such feminist, Julie Bindel even stated publicly, with no repercussions, that she would put all men in “camps” and shamelessly hopes that “heterosexuality doesn’t survive” (Radfem, 2015). This is not equality, but bigotry and prejudice, the very same negativity advocacy groups say they are against. In our society built on the ideal of equality, this type of speech and behavior simply does not fit.
There is also inequality being created with the effort to make things equal in our society. Programs such as affirmative action discriminate against those who are white when competing with minorities. These types of mandates should be eradicated, so that the Jeffersonian ideal of achievement based on merit and hard work is reinstated. There are many minority individuals who can achieve based on their merits and fair competition would ensue when these compete for the same employment or education position with whites.
Puritan Influences
The Puritan settlers came to America to escape religious tyranny and to establish their own society based on their right to practice and express their beliefs free of persecution. Puritan community solidarity was built upon this ideal, as well as the notion of a limited government. To the Puritans, a king or government was not above the law, but was responsible to it, and established that it is the right of the people to revolt when the governing powers fail to abide by the rule of law (Howe, 1987). It was also the tradition of religious separation and dissent that provided the people with the right of revolution when oppression and tyranny are imposed on the people by the governing body. This stems from Puritan-Calvanistic views that man is subject to God, and only God is absolute; so people who govern the citizens are mere mortals and cannot be trusted completely and should be looked at with suspicion. In this way, the people are ever ready to set them straight when they go “astray” from the interests of the populace (Howe, 1987).
As the Puritans began to change from a theology to a more secular government, they saw that individualism could benefit the community by enabling each person to assume control over their own future. Merit based egalitarianism has its roots in Puritan thought as each person, regardless of race, age or gender was considered able to interpret for themselves what religion meant to them, and each had a free choice to enter into a covenant with God and in the Church (Howe, 1987). Within the Puritan community, citizens experienced equality, including women, which was unprecedented in Europe. These ideals helped to establish the American creed and related ideals with which the Constitution was written. The Bill of Rights specifically outlines the individual’s unalienable rights, which the Constitution does not grant us, but instead it protects these rights, because as citizens of this country, they are granted to us already. Article I gives us the freedom of speech, the freedom to exercise our religious beliefs, freedom of the press, the right to assemble and protest, and the right to petition our government when we have grievances (Constitution, 1789). The freedom of religion began with our Puritan ancestors who settled here for that purpose.
Detractors may assert that the Puritans did not believe in equality due to the fact that Anne Hutchinson and Roger Williams were exiled for their unorthodox views regarding the religion. It is true these individuals were exiled. Anne Hutchinson did enjoy equality as a woman, as she was able to read from the bible to other women and hold study groups to teach them scripture, again this was unprecedented in Europe. Anne also led the first major religious revival in the Puritan colony, known as the Antinomian Controversy from 1636-1638. However, Anne held what we know today as Libertarian views which were contrary to the accepted standard in Puritan society (Howe, 1987).
Detractors may also claim that Puritanism was not an influence on American ideals as they did not have separation of church and state, instead, the church and local government worked closely together to govern the people. This was true until Puritan Theocracy fell and a more secular government took its place. It is the secular government formed by the Puritans that has a very similar structure to what we follow today. Out of the ideal that working, saving, investing, and growing came ambition, which led to success and a higher role within the Puritan community. This is, essentially, the American Dream, and what Thomas Jefferson centered his goal of what our American Government should be. The Bill of Rights, which was advocated for by Thomas Jefferson, was intended not only to establish the protection of citizens’ natural (unalienable) rights, but to define governmental boundaries and prevent infringements on the civil rights of the people (Jillson, 2004).
In conclusion, our present American Republic was made with the influences of many ideals, but none more important than the ideals of individual liberties and our ancestral Puritan influences. Individual liberties began with the Puritans, who settled here to escape the persecution and demand for religious allegiance to the Church of England; a religion they refused to espouse as their own. Establishing a colony here in America granted them the religious freedom we are all still entitled to today. Without these ideals for the basis of our society, our culture and freedoms would be very different than they are. It is important to remember that equality means we all have opportunities and choices to either make our lives better or allow them to remain the same. Merit, hard word and perseverance grant us the achievements our forefathers opened for us by creating the society we enjoy today. The entire world over, America has always been the land of freedom and opportunity, and we can thank those who came before us for all of it.
References
Declaration of Independence (1776). Retrieved from:
Howe, D. (1987). The impact of Puritanism on American culture. The Encyclopedia of the
Jefferson, T. (1787). Letter to James Madison. Retrieved from:
Jillson, C. (2004). Pursuing the American dream: Opportunity and exclusion over four centuries.
Lawrence, KS: University Press of Kansas.
Radfem Collective. (29 August, 2015) An Interview with Julie Bindel. Retrieved from:
The Constitution of the United States. (1789). Retrieved from: