History before the Revolutionary Era essays

History before the Revolutionary Era essays John Locke, the philosopher, stated that all individuals have the right to Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Property. Thomas Jefferson, former President, suggested that Happiness should replace Property in Lockes statement. Most of Americans depend on property to achieve happiness. For instance, before the American Revolution, slavery was used as a form of property, congregations did not have the freedom to explore other churches or religions, and the government set regulations that were not in the best interest of the public. The conflict between self-interest and public interest is a key reason to why the American Revolution began. Although, those that were more concerned with what was in the best interest of the public, the Republicans, won the American Revolution, conflict still arose from undergoing Republican ideology or the change for the better. The American Revolution attempted to escape political chaos due to the Loyalist Exodus, which ended support for the restoration of monarchy or kingdom. In May 1776, Congress passed a resolution calling for the authority to be totally suppressed and all the powers of government exerted under the authority of the people. Republican institutions did absorb the energy and intellect of an entire generation. However, Congress decision of, Who should rule at home?, or who would control the new representative institutions of government, led a generation of rival camps between the state and the central government. During the 1790s Alexander Hamiltons, secretary of the Treasury under George Washington, system of public finance and the ideas of the French Revolution also divided Americans into warring camps which led to organized political parties. The national government had reduced the rights of organized political parties and had almost gone to war with France until the election of Thomas Jeffe...