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[[File:United States flag in the wind.jpg|thumb|right|400px|The United States flag]]

[[File:United States flag in the wind.jpg|thumb|right|400px|The United States flag]]

===Natural Law===

===Natural Law===

Many people familiar with the American Revolution do not realize that America is based on [[Natural Law]].  As [[Cleon Skousen]] points out:

Many people familiar with the American Revolution do not realize that America is based on [[Natural Law]].  As [[Cleon Skousen]] points out: "Most modern Americans have never studied Natural Law.  They are therefore mystified by the constant reference to Natural Law by the Founding Fathers.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Skousen|first1=Cleon|title=[[The Five Thousand Year Leap]]|date=1981|pages=33}}</ref>

{{cquote|Most modern Americans have never studied Natural Law.  They are therefore mystified by the constant reference to Natural Law by the Founding Fathers.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Skousen|first1=Cleon|title=[[The Five Thousand Year Leap]]|date=1981|pages=33}}</ref>}}

 

[[Natural Law]] recognizes that certain laws are natural; that is, these laws naturally existing ''pre-date'' the existence of governments.  Natural Law[s] generally indicate the existence of natural rights as well, which [[John Locke]] writes about in his book [[Two Treatises of Government]].  The writings of John Locke are mentioned several times in both the [[Constitutional Convention]] as well as [[The Federalist Papers]].  Natural Law is not only something that was very well understood by the generation that would become the [[Founding Fathers]], but it was also well recognized by the generations preceding the founding generation.  Those generations that landed on the shores of America, most of whom were seeking religious liberty.  The relationship between Liberty, Natural Law, and God can be seen in many of the documents preceding the founding, such as the dedication given at the [[Liberty Tree]] by a [[Sons of Liberty|son of liberty]] named [[Silas Downer]], as well as the first written constitution of the 13 colonies, [[Connecticut]]'s [[Fundamental Orders of Connecticut|Fundamental Orders]]

[[Natural Law]] recognizes that certain laws are natural; that is, these laws naturally existing ''pre-date'' the existence of governments.  Natural Law[s] generally indicate the existence of natural rights as well, which [[John Locke]] writes about in his book [[Two Treatises of Government]].  The writings of John Locke are mentioned several times in both the [[Constitutional Convention]] as well as [[The Federalist Papers]].  Natural Law is not only something that was very well understood by the generation that would become the [[Founding Fathers]], but it was also well recognized by the generations preceding the founding generation.  Those generations that landed on the shores of America, most of whom were seeking religious liberty.  The relationship between Liberty, Natural Law, and God can be seen in many of the documents preceding the founding, such as the dedication given at the [[Liberty Tree]] by a [[Sons of Liberty|son of liberty]] named [[Silas Downer]], as well as the first written constitution of the 13 colonies, [[Connecticut]]'s [[Fundamental Orders of Connecticut|Fundamental Orders]]

===American Revolution===

===American Revolution===

{{main|American Revolution}}

{{main|American Revolution}}