American Enlightenment

The American Enlightenment also known as “Age of reason” was a period of intellectual growth in America in the 18^th century. In Germany, this was known as Aufklaerung. Afuklaerung means clearing way. Since the 1960’s historians have debated the enlightenment’s role in the American Revolution. Some people think that if the enlightenment movement didn’t happen then the American Revolution probably would have never happened. The American Revolution became a blueprint for Democracy in America.

Some “big thinkers” in the Age of Reason were Thomas Paine, Benjamin Franklin, John Locke, and Thomas Jefferson. John Locke was especially important and became known as the Father of Liberalism. Thomas Paine contributed by writing the book called Common Sense. This book argued why the U.S should be independent. Benjamin Franklin was a major figure in the American Enlightenment. He also practiced deism. Deism is the “belief in the existence of a supreme being, specifically of a creator who does not intervene in the universe,” according to the Google homepage.

 

To sum it up in the words of the Declaration of Independence, the Age of Reason was about freedom, right to govern ourselves, and religious tolerance. 

LATARSHA 

Declaration of Independence

 American Revolution: The Declaration Of Independence

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”.

 These are the famous words written by Thomas Jefferson as he wrote the Declaration of independence. The Declaration of independence was written on July 4, 1776.

 The main reason for this was to announce and explain the separation of the United States from Britain. The reason for this is because they felt they were being taxed without proper representation.  “No taxation, without representation”.  King George 3rd was the representative for the British people. Another reason they wanted to become independent was to govern themselves. As Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of independence he had the support of John Adams, John Hancock, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, Robert R. Livingston, and many more.

The Declaration time line goes from June 7, 1776, January 18, 1777. June 7, was the first time the congressmen met to talk about their independence. January 18 was the day that signed copies of the Declaration were sent out to the individual states. In between June 12 and June 27, 1776, Thomas Jefferson prepared his draft, which he presented to the congressmen on June 28, 1776. The leaders of the colonies signed the Declaration of independence on July 19, 1776.

King George’s reaction to the signing of the Declaration of Independence was not good; he was very angry. King George sent his troops to try and ambush Charleston, S.C. but the American troops denied their entrance into the country.

- Sandra C.

The Stamp Act

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             The stamp act was passed by the British  Parliament on March 22,1765 the new tax was on American colonist  required them to pay tax on every piece of paper they used ( the tax ship paper legal documents, license, newspapers other publications and every playing card.) The money they collected was used to help pay the defending and protecting the American frontier near the Appalachian Mountains. The money was also used for the British to pay back there dep’t .The costs of the Stamp Act relatively small, but the colonists found the standard it seem to set offensive. It was viewed as a direct attempt by England to raise money in the colonies without the approval of the colonial legislatures.

-Michelle

enlightening

The American Enlightenment

The American Enlightenment was a intellectual thriving period. This movement happened during the American Revolution time in the mid-to-late 18^th century. Two of the main ideas are liberalism and republicanism, which the colonists used to fight against tyranny and monarchy. To gain freedom, and be treated equally, the colonists wanted their own rights for overall liberalism.

Some of the main thinkers who participated in this movement were John Locke, Voltaire, Benjamin Franklin,Thomas Paine, and Thomas Jefferson. John Locke, born 1632, was known as the father of liberalism. He was also an English philosopher, and physician. Voltaire, born 1694, was a French enlightenment writer. He was known for his great ideas such as: civil liberties, freedom of religion, freedom of expression, free trade, and separation of church and state. Benjamin Franklin, born 1706, was known for signing the Declaration of Independence, making him one of the Founding Fathers. Before signing he was famous for being an author of his book, Poor Richard's Almanack. Thomas Paine, born 1737, was known for doing an excellent job advocating independence. He did this by writing a pamphlet called Common Sense in 1776. Thomas Jefferson, born 1743, was known for writing the Declaration of Independence, and later becoming the third president of the United States of America. He also was a part of the Continental Congress, and was leader of this movement. 

Kimpsha G.

FREEDOM!!!!

The Treaty of Paris

The Treaty of Paris was a document that was signed in 1783 that ended the revolution and formally declared the United States as an independent nation. It is composed into ten sections; the first being the acknowledgment of the U.S. as a free nation and the rest as agreements and rules that both nations should abide by. Albeit there were subsequent battles, the final major battle prior to the signing took place in Yorktown, Virginia. American forces (led by George Washington) along with the French forces (led by Comte de Rochambeau) won a crucial battle that caused Cornwallis (Commander of the British)


to surrender that eventually led to the capture of eight-thousand troops including various types of combat equipment and transportation methods. Animosity was doused between the two nations and the reformation of the U.S. was set anew.

By Martin N. 

Key Events in the American Revolution

Boston Massacre

Called the Boston Riot by the British, the Boston Massacre was the killing of five civilian men on March 5, 1770. British troops were stationed in Boston since 1768 in order to protect and support crown-appointed colonial officials attempting to enforce unpopular parliamentary legislation. There was ongoing tension between population and soldiers. British fired into small crowds apparently without orders. Killing three and wounding others, two others later died from wounds during the incident.

Acting governor Thomas Hutchinson promised an inquiry but reformed the next day. Eight soldiers, one officers, and four civilians were arrested and charged with murder. Defended by lawyer John Adams, six were acquitted while two were convicted of manslaughter. The depiction and reports of the event engraved by Paul Revere heightened tensions between the thirteen colonies. This event is widely viewed for the outbreak of the American Revolutionary.

Boston Tea Party

Boston Tea Party was a key event in American Revolution . Direct action by colonists in Boston against British government and East India Company. On December 16,1773 officials in Boston refused to return three shiploads of taxed tea Britain, a group of colonists boarded the ships and destroyed the tea by throwing it into the harbor. They believed that the Tea Act violated the right to be taxed only by their own elected representatives. Governor Thomas Hutchinson refused to allow the tea to be returned to Britain.

Parliament responded in 1774 with the Coercive Acts,which closed Boston's commerce until British East India Company been repaired for destroying tea. To respond to Coercive Acts with protest and convening the first continental congress,which petitioned the British monarch for repeal of the acts and coordinated colonial resistance to them. This escalated the American Revolutionary war that began near Boston in 1775.

Compiled by Daphnee D. 

Long John Silver Mega Bucket

 Boston-

During a staff meeting at Long John Silvers headquarter in Dedham last week, staff wondered why no one purchased from their restaurants, and came up with the conclusion that their prices were too high. They came up with the Mega Bucket meal deal. This allows patrons to weigh and fill up their own 1 1\2 gallon buckets with any choice of option they like.

“Here at Long John Silvers, we're happy to announce that we now sell Mega Buckets for $2.99,” says restaurant manager Tom. "Our new dining option comes with free sauce with any order of Mega Buckets. Customers fill up a 1 1/2 gallon bucket with any combo, and if it is under 5 lbs. the bucket is $2.99."

"If we don't make deals like this, how do we sell food without people finding out about the roaches found dead in the scallops?" asked Stacy Matthews. Store Manager Tom Spacer came up with the brilliant idea to make the tarter more tangy, using crushed mice pellets as an ingredient. Many people love the new change. According to Spacer, the Mega Bucket meal deal comes with free sauce because of its new taste. This could make business much better and might actually boost Long John Industries.

In the wake of  Long John's manipulating and overwhelming success, other fast food chains have been trying to compete against one another. They could not understand the problem with their dining options compared to Long John. Little do they know, the secret is in the sauce. Popeyes now has a 5-piece chicken meal for 75 cents, but it is still no match for Long John's.

However, a similar deal at McDonald's was shut down by FDA after a health inspector found a tooth in BBQ wrap. Restaurant employee James Spilberg says, "Lately customers have been trying to shut us down. I don't know if I could tolerate the cruel behavior people come in here with anymore."

It looks like other restaurant employees agree with Spilberg when he says, "Enough is enough."

 Kimpsha G.