short history answer

The War for Independence is also known as the Revolution because of the ideas behind it. This assignment is for you to relate those ideas today because they are still strong. The concepts of freedom of religion and economic freedom were the undertones of the Revolution. Jefferson embodies the views of the separation of church and state (there were numerous denominations in America at the time of the war), and Adam Smith’s criticism of the mercantile system became the basis of the free market.

Note: Be sure to do the following

• Provide historical information and details (who, what, where, and when)
• Analyze the document (do not just repeat the quote, but place it into context)
• Connect the first two points to a modern example and provide information, details, and analysis.

Pick one of the documents to trace the origins, and then relate it to a current event. You only need one quote, but two may work.

1. Topic 1: Jefferson (Religion Topic)

• How did colonial America’s de-facto religious toleration and the Enlightenment influence Jefferson’s thinking? Why did Jefferson believe in religious freedom?
  • Use the Thomas Jefferson and Religious FreedomActions document to analyze

• 2. Topic 2: Adam Smith (Economic Topic)
  • Describe the mercantilism theory and how it relates to colonial America (anywhere between 1651 to 1776). Explain Smith’s theory of the free market.
  • Use the Adam Smith and Economic FreedomActions document to analyze
  • Come up with a modern example (bring up specific details) related to the current American economy.
    • Please provide a specific example (something in the news in the past year or two), give information, and relate it to the historical part.
      • Something that relates to debates over the economy (Free Market advocates versus Progressives). Give a specific example.
  • Come up with a modern example (bring up specific details) to relate to religious freedom,
    • Please provide a specific example (something in the news in the past year or two), give information, and relate it to the historical part.
    • Something that relates to religion in American politics or society (again, a specific example)

Material:

You must use one of these articles.

• Thomas Jefferson and Religious FreedomActions
• Adam Smith and Economic FreedomActions

Expectations:

• Knowledge of colonial America and how it helped construct a new country.
• Recognition of how the religious diversity in colonial America influenced Jefferson’s perspective (doc. 1)
• Summarize the mercantile system and why Adam Smith argued for a free market (doc. 2).
• Compare the past to the present.
• 350 words or more (the better)
• Provide historical evidence/examples to support your opinion
  • These are from the sources I provided on this page.
• DO NOT plagiarize. Please read the plagiarism rule.
  • You will not receive any credit if you plagiarize.