American Revolution and Roman Empire Quiz

Unit 3, Outcome 8.0: The Individual and the State

• This outcome will cover political structures from antiquity to the modern era.
• It will explain political structures during the early Medieval period.
• It will explain changes in governance that occurred in England from the Medieval to Early Modern eras.
• It will explain how the Enlightenment contributed to change governance.

8.1 The Roman Empire

• In 27 BCE, Rome's republic ended, and Octavian, later known as Augustus, became the unchallenged ruler.
• The Pax Romana (27 BCE - 180 CE) was a period of relative peace, with military action primarily focused on expanding borders.
• Rome's population included one million in Rome and up to 80 million across the empire.
• Strong emperors, civil servants, and public services maintained the empire's stability.
• Agriculture and trade flourished.

8.1 The Fall of the Roman Empire

• The Pax Romana ended with the death of Marcus Aurelius.
• Later emperors struggled to address the needs of citizens.
• The empire's economy weakened due to border conflicts, trade disruptions, reduced gold/silver supplies.
• Overuse of soil diminished agricultural output.
• Food shortages and illnesses contributed to population decline.
• Military and government weakened, leading to growing loyalty among soldiers to their commanders instead of the empire.
• This led to the use of mercenaries.
• Lack of political stability caused many to lose patriotism, and loyalty shifted to local leaders.
• Barbarian invasions from central Asia, led by Attila, contributed to the weakening of the empire.
• In 476 CE, the last Roman emperor, Romulus Augustulus, was deposed, bringing an end to the Western Roman Empire.
• The empire lacked the resources and leadership to rebound.

8.1 Feudalism in Europe

• From approximately 500 to 900 CE, Germanic kings ruled parts of Western Europe, notably Charlemagne.
• Charlemagne's rule contributed to the restoration of political and social order.
• He established strong regional governments, which influenced the development of feudalism.
• The Carolingian Renaissance helped revive cultural and educational traditions.
• From 800 to 1000 CE, Viking raids across Europe impacted various regions.
• Vikings, skilled seafarers, attacked quickly and looted settlements throughout Europe.
• Rollo, a Viking commander, was granted land in Northern France, which helped establish feudalism in France and surrounding areas.
• Feudalism was a system of rights and responsibilities based on land ownership.
• A lord (landowner) granted land (fief) to a vassal (someone who served military service) and gave them military service in exchange.
• Society was divided into three broad groups- those who fought (nobles, knights, and soldiers); those who prayed (bishops, priests, monks, and nuns); and those who worked (peasants).
• Peasants worked the lord's land in exchange for protection, with serfs being peasants bound to land.

8.1 Feudalism in Europe- Social Status

• Society was divided into three groups: those who fought, those who prayed, and those who worked.
• The majority were peasants, with serfs being less free than other peasants..

8.1 Feudalism in Europe- Involvement in Politics and Society

• Individuals of the highest social status (kings, nobles, and church leaders) held most of the power.
• These individuals made decisions concerning daily life.
• Monarchy was the common form of government.
• The majority of people had no direct participation in political decisions.

8.2 England's Evolving Government: Anglo-Saxon Assemblies

• Anglo-Saxon assemblies (the Witan and the moots) were important in early England and involved local and regional issues.
• The Witenagemot advised the King on royal matters (land, taxation, defence, and foreign policy).
• The Witan was not a law-making body, but the King sought their advice and support.
• Moots were local assemblies where local issues and legal cases were addressed.

8.2 England's Evolving Government: The Norman Conquest

• William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy, invaded England in 1066, following the Battle of Hastings.
• William became known as William the Conqueror.
• He implemented formal feudalism in England.
• He chose a smaller group of advisors called the Curia Regis; This Curia Regis was composed of noblemen and church leaders appointed by the king.
• This was not representative democracy but all important political decisions were still made by the King at his discretion.

8.2 England's Evolving Government: The Model Parliament

• Important political changes occurred in England during the 13th Century.
• Baronial dissent against King Henry III resulted in important changes.
• The Witan and Moots evolved into Parliament, with participation expanded.
• The 1258 demands of the barons forced King Henry III to rule with a 15-member council and consult with Parliament more regularly.
• The Model Parliament of 1295, led by King Edward I, was a key step towards a more representative governing body.
• The role of Parliament was limited for the most part, though Edward utilized Parliament for issues involving taxation.

8.2 England's Evolving Government: Magna Carta

• King John, a weak ruler, faced significant challenges with Baronial rebellion in 1215.
• The disagreement resulted in the Magna Carta being signed, aimed at limiting King's authority.
• Magna Carta was an attempt by the barons to prevent King John from abusing his power
• Key concepts in Magna Carta included the protection of rights and limiting the King's authority.

8.2 The English Civil War

• Conflicts over power and finances between the English monarchy and Parliament in the mid-1600s led to the English Civil War.
• Political differences between the Monarchy and Parliament culminated in the Civil War.
• Issues involving taxes, financial rights, and the power of the Monarchy and Parliament resulted in armed struggles, involving Charles I as King.
• Royalists (Cavaliers) fought Parliament forces (Roundheads) led by Oliver Cromwell
• A new political system was created during and in the aftermath when Charles I lost the war.
• Parliamentarian victory led to the end of the monarchy and the execution of King Charles I.
• Oliver Cromwell and the New Model Army won the war and abolished the monarchy and the House of Lords
• England became a republic under the rule of Oliver Cromwell.
• Charles I was defeated, tried, and executed.

8.2 The Restoration

• Following Cromwell's time as ruler of England a monarchy was restored.
• Charles II (son of King Charles I), was invited to assume England's throne in 1660.
• The restoration marked the return of the monarchy to England.

8.2 The Glorious Revolution

• James II, a Catholic, ascended the throne in 1685 and faced opposition due to his religious beliefs.
• Significant political conflict ensued when Parliament invited William of Orange and his wife Mary to overthrow James II.
• The Glorious Revolution, which involved no bloodshed, marked the end of absolute monarchy.
• A Bill of Rights was enacted in 1689, limiting the power of the monarchy and establishing the rights of Parliament.

8.3 Scientific Revolution to Enlightenment

• The scientific revolution's ideas prompted new ways of thinking about society.
• The Age of Enlightenment saw intellectuals apply reason to all aspects of life.

8.3 Enlightenment Thinkers: Hobbes

• Hobbes believed humans were naturally selfish and wicked.
• He believed without government a "war of all against all" would prevail, leading to a life that was "nasty, brutish, and short."
• To avoid chaos, people needed to hand over their power to a strong ruler (absolute monarch) in the social contract.

8.3 Enlightenment Thinkers: Locke

• Locke viewed humans as born free and equal, with natural rights to life, liberty, and property.
• He believed that government's role was to protect these rights, not to control individuals.
• If a government failed to protect these rights, then people had the right to overthrow it.

8.3 Enlightenment Thinkers: Montesquieu

• Montesquieu advocated for the separation of powers.
• He proposed separating government into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.
• Separating the power prevented any single branch from gaining too much power.

8.3 Enlightenment Thinkers: Rousseau

• Rousseau believed that all people were born free and equal.
• The social contract he advocated for involved creating a society wherein people would agree to give up some freedoms in favor of the common good.
• The best governments were based on direct democracy where people would vote on their laws rather than relying on elected officials.

8.3 Enlightenment Thinkers: Voltaire

• Voltaire advocated for tolerance, reason, religious freedom, and freedom of speech.
• He believed intolerance, prejudice were humanity's worst enemies.

8.3 Enlightenment Thinkers: Beccaria

• Beccaria believed laws should uphold social order rather than punish infractions.
• He emphasized due process and called for abolishing torture and cruel punishments.
• Beccaria's views influenced the development of criminal justice systems in various localities.

8.3 Enlightenment Thinkers: Wollstonecraft

• Wollstonecraft argued against societal views of women.
• She advocated for women's education alongside men's education and for equal opportunity.
• She encouraged women to participate in politics and other previously male-dominated professions.

8.3 The Enlightenment and the American Revolution

• The American Revolution was influenced by Enlightenment ideals.
• The Enlightenment ideals were used by colonial leaders in their justification for rebellion against British rule.
• Leaders like Thomas Jefferson, in drafting the Declaration of Independence, used the ideas advanced by Enlightenment philosophers (like Locke and Montesquieu) to explain the justification for their rebellion, and to advance various political and social ideas.

8.3 The Enlightenment and the American Revolution: Success for the Colonists

• Despite British military strength, the American colonists achieved success because of motivations for freedom, assistance from France, and Britain's debt from the war.
• Colonists defeated Britain at Yorktown in 1781, securing their independence.