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Difficulty: MediumPhilosophical Foundations of the American Revolution

Thomas Jefferson, *A Summary View of the Rights of British America*, 1774:

"Single acts of tyranny may be ascribed to the accidental opinion of a day; but a series of oppressions, begun at a distinguished period, and pursued unalterably through every change of ministers, too plainly prove a deliberate and systematical plan of reducing us to slavery. ... [Kings] are no more than the chief officers of the people, appointed by the laws, and circumscribed with definite powers, to assist in working the great machine of government."

Which of the following ideas from the core philosophical foundations of the American Revolution is most directly expressed in the excerpt?

  1. The concept of a social contract, in which rulers are public servants accountable to the law and the consent of the governedAnswer
  2. B
    The belief that colonial resistance could only be justified after the British Parliament repealed the Declaratory Act
  3. C
    The proposal that a strong, centralized national executive was necessary to protect individual liberties from legislative overreach
  4. D
    The Federalist argument that a loose construction of colonial charters was required to grant the British Crown implied powers over trade

Answer

The concept of a social contract, in which rulers are public servants accountable to the law and the consent of the governed
The correct answer is correct because Jefferson's description of the king as a "chief officer of the people" who is "appointed by the laws" directly reflects the social contract theory of government. Under this theory, political power is a trust granted by the people, and rulers have a duty to govern under the law and with the consent of the governed.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the stimulus text.
Jefferson describes kings as "chief officers of the people" who are "circumscribed with definite powers" and warns that a "series of oppressions" shows a plan to enslave the colonists.
Understanding the author's primary argument is necessary to link it to contemporary Enlightenment concepts.
2
Associate the text with Enlightenment philosophical concepts.
The idea that rulers have limited powers defined by law and are servants of the people aligns directly with the social contract theory popularized by John Locke.
Matching the specific ideas in the excerpt with the correct historical philosophy helps identify the correct option.
3
Evaluate the options to identify historical inaccuracies and misconceptions.
The correct option matches social contract theory. Other options introduce chronological errors (waiting for repeal of the Declaratory Act), post-war constitutional debates (a strong national executive), or post-revolutionary party struggles (Federalist loose construction).
Eliminating distractors based on historical timeline errors and concepts ensures the correctness of the final selection.

Key Concept

Social Contract Theory and Republicanism in the American Revolution
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Philosophical Foundations of the American Revolution

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