In reading text books over the years, I’ve noticed that many mention that the colonists sought the “British rights” to which they were entitled as a cause of the American Revolution. Among other things, taxation without representation angered them and they were incensed by the Crown denying them trial by jury. However, in these same textbooks, the history behind British rights and the philosophies behind the Revolutionaries’ thinking is barely mentioned. I argue that both are worth a deeper dive to increase student analysis and understanding of the events that led to the American Revolution and that influenced the foundation of our Republic.

Before we even begin discussing revolutionary ideology, we do an in-depth study of Magna Carta. We study the history behind the document (King John was the worst king ever!), talk about who had “rights” and land in medieval Europe – it was 1299, you know- and explore how forcing King John to agree to give up some of his power was not only a huge deal, but formed foundational principles that the British, the colonists, and Americans have built upon. In particular, we discuss limits on executive power and habeas corpus. This was especially interesting this year (2019) given the impeachment hearings going on. Between the news and actually reading an abridged, annotated Magna Carta, students are busy digging into the 13th century and making 21st century connections!

Following Magna Carta, I find it especially important to look at the Stuarts of England. It was with them that the English Civil War occurred, Oliver Cromwell controlled the Commonwealth, the monarchy was restored, and the Glorious Revolution’s peaceful transfer of power happened. It is a roller coaster ride that students find really interesting and also helps to explain why Thomas Hobbes and John Locke view human nature the way that they do and what each believes the purpose of government is. Political philosophy used to be really difficult for my 8th graders, but when they put themselves in the shoes of the people who lived during these events, it is so much easier for them to understand their philosophical thinking! I use quite a lot of Horrible Histories songs and videos to make this extra fun- they’re corny, adorable, and informative.

Lastly, we do a unit about the philosophies of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke. These philosophers’ ideas, particularly those of Locke, are essential in understanding the American psyche as the Revolution approached. Furthermore, Hobbes’ philosophy provides an essential understanding about the mindset of the English at the time of the war. An essential understanding of the conflict between the Americans and the British is their philosophy of government. For one, government is meant to control the people’s uncontrollable impulses and violent nature and for the other, government is meant to organize society and protect the rights of life, liberty, and property (happiness, in the Americans’ case). The definition of a social contract is very different for each group.

There are several methods we use to teach their philosophies. To demonstrate State of Nature according to each philosopher, I like to show either the cornucopia scene from Hunger Games or the trailer to the 1963 film Lord of the Flies for Hobbes and the Joker’s experiment scene from Dark Knight to show an example of human nature and natural law for Locke. Having these visuals helps students imagine what Hobbes and Locke saw in human beings. Further, we look at current events (we love the totally neutral CNN10!) and determine what Hobbes or Locke would have thought about them. To warm up, we discuss environmental regulations, government listening devices, and government censorship of obscenity and their relationship to the philosophies of human nature and government. Giving students this personal, present-day look at political philosophy makes it relevant for them and helps the ideas to sink in, which better prepares them to see the causes of the American Revolution.

The best (and only) way for students to understand the American struggle for independence and why so many were incensed with the behavior of Britain is for students to study where the ideas of the colonists came from. Magna Carta, the English Bill of Rights, the tumultuous period of Stuart England, and the philosophies of Hobbes and Locke each contributes to why there was separation between the colonies and their mother country. Further, those ideas are present during the Constitutional Convention and the writing of the Bill of Rights. Without the essential understanding of where our ideas about government came from, what are students really learning about the beginnings of the United States and how we think about government in the present?