122 Chapter 5 | a republiC enviSioned and reviSed | period three 175 4 –18 0 0 tOpIC^ I^ |^ rights-based Government^123
organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect
their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate, that governments long
established, should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly
all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils
are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they
are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing
invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute
despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to
provide new guards for their future security....The Constitution of the United States of America, Established March 4, 1789: To Which Is
Added the Declaration of Their Reasons for Separating from This Country, Made in Congress,
July 4, 1776. And a Resolution of Congress Expressive of Their High Sense of the Services of
Mr. Thomas Paine (London: D. I. Eaton, 1794), 23.pr aCtICING historical thinking
Identify: Identify the five most significant words in this document. Explain your
choices.
Analyze: Based on this document, what is the relationship between government
and human beings’ inalienable rights?
Evaluate: In what ways does this document build on Jonathan Mayhew’s (Doc. 5.2)?DOcumEnT 5.7 aBiGaiL aDaMS, Letter to John Quincy adams
1780Abigail Adams wrote the letter excerpted below to her thirteen-year-old son, John
Quincy Adams, while he accompanied his father, John Adams, on his diplomatic duties
as special envoy to Europe during the American Revolution.... It will be expected of you my son that as you are favourd with superiour ad-
vantages under the instructive Eye of a tender parent, that your improvements
should bear some proportion to your advantages. Nothing is wanting with you,
but attention, diligence and steady application, Nature has not been deficient.
... The Habits of a vigorous mind are formed in contending with difficulties.
All History will convince you of this, and that wisdom and penetration are the
fruits of experience, not the Lessons of retirement and leisure.
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