Foundations of American Government

By Dalrobinson

  • John Peter Muhlenberg

    On January 21, 1776, he gave a speech at a church in Woodstock, VA, in which he cited Christian Biblical doctrine to assert that Americans needed to stand up for justice and liberty, and, at the very end of the speech, tore off his robe to reveal an officer’s uniform.

  • Declaration of Independence

    The Declaration of Independence was a statement adopted by the Continental Congress that announced that the 13 colonies regarded themselves as 13 new independent sovereign states.

  • John Hancock

    John Hancock is mostly known for his massive signiture on the Delcaration of Independance. He was also apart of the Sons of Liberty during the American Revolution.

  • U.S. Constitution

    The U.S. Constitution established America's National Government., and guaranteed certain basic rights for its citizens.

  • Bill of Rights

    The Bill of Rights are the first 10 Amendments and serve as the cornerstone of basic American freedoms.

  • Eminent Domain

    This is the right of a government to take private property for public use. Usually used in big building projects. Eminent Domain in mentioned in the 5th Amendment.

  • Fifth Amendment

    no person be required to testify against himself or herself in a criminal case and that no person be subjected to a second trial for an offense for which he or she has been duly tried previously.

  • John Witherspoon

    Was a Scots Presbyterian minister and a signatory of the United States Declaration of Independence, and a representative of New Jersey.

  • Benjamin Rush

    Benjamin Rush was a signer of the Delcaration ofo Independance, attended the continental congress, and was apart of the Continental Congress. Was a leader of the American Enlightenment.

  • John Trumbull Sr.

    John Trumbull Sr. was an American painter, diplomat, and architect. He is noted for his four large history paintings which depict pivotal moments before, during, and after the American Revolutionary War. These are in the Capital Rotunda.

  • John Jay

    Patriot, Diplomat, Signer of the Treaty of Paris, and the first Chief Justice of the United States.

  • Charles Carroll

    A member of Continental Congress, signer of DOI, Senate of Maryland, and elected U,S, Senate from Maryland.

  • “E Pluribus Unum”

    Moto of the United States of America and means "Out of many, one." Alternatively translated as "One out of many," or "One from Many."

  • Alex de Tocqueville and his Five Principles

    The Five Principles are Liberty, Egalitarianism, Individualism, Populism and Laissez-faire. Liberty is the state of being free within the society oppressive restrictions. Egalitarianism favors equality for all people. Individualism favors freedom of action for individuals over state control. Populism is a political doctrine that appeals to the interests and conceptions of the general public. Laissez-faire is a policy of letting things take their own course, without interference.

  • “In God We Trust”

    This became the National motto of the United States, and is manditory on all coins and paper currency of the United States.