George Mason

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George Mason Name: George Mason is known as the “Forgotten Founding Father.” He may not be as famous as George Washington or Thomas Jefferson, but his ideas helped shape our government. Born in Virginia in 1725, Mason became a plantation owner and taught himself about the law. He also served as a government official during the Revolutionary War. He believed that the government should guarantee basic rights and freedoms for its citizens, and he included these ideas in several important documents he wrote. Mason’s writings served as a model for the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution.

Liberty and Justice... Freedom of the Press Freedom was very important to Mason. From the very beginning, Mason Religious Tolerance defended the idea that citizens should have individual liberties. He promoted freedom of the press, religious tolerance, and the right to a Trial by Jury trial by jury. When it was time to create the Constitution, he fought to have these rights included. ...But Not For All Mason was one of the largest slaveholders in Virginia, but he argued that the slave trade should end. He saw slavery as a “slow poison” that damaged the minds and morals of the people. At the same time, he worried that getting rid of slavery completely would cause too many problems. Planters like him depended on slave labor, and society wasn’t willing to accept the slaves as free and independent people. Instead, he argued that America should stop importing slaves from Africa, and make slavery illegal in the new colonies. Forgotten… But Not Ignored So why haven’t we heard much about this Founding Father? It may be because he never served as president or held high office. He even got a bad rap for refusing to sign the Constitution. In fact he took the lead in opposing the new Constitution because he thought it made the national government too strong. Mason and those who agreed with him called themselves the Anti-Federalists. They feared a strong national government would threaten people’s freedom and take away power from the states. To guard against this, Mason demanded that the Constitution guarantee citizens certain rights. Mason and the anti-federalists convinced the other Founders to add a Bill of Rights to the Constitution.

Mason’s Action Mason’s Influence The Virginia Declaration of Rights influenced Thomas Mason wrote the Virginia Declaration Jefferson when he wrote the Declaration of Independence of Rights. (1776) and James Madison when he wrote the Bill of Rights.

Mason wrote the Virginia Constitution. The Virginia Constitution was the foundation of the U.S. (1776) Constitution and other states’ constitutions.

Mason demanded that the Constitution In 1791, the Bill of Rights was added to the U.S. Constitution. guarantee individual liberties. It guarantees a long list of rights to U.S. citizens. THE U.S. GOVERNMENT HOW MASON INFLUENCED INFLUENCED HOW MASON In 1808, the U.S. Constitution was changed, making it illegal Mason fought to end the slave trade. to import slaves into the United States.

Influence Library Mason p.1 George Mason Name: Match-Up. Mason was influenced by European philosophers Locke and Rousseau. Later on, his ideas contributed to the foundations of the Constitution. Read Mason’s quotes in the middle column. Connect each quote to the ideas that likely influenced Mason. George Mason We all share natural People would create the rights, such as the That all men are by nature equally general will, policies and right to life, liberty, and free and independent, and have actions that are thought to property. certain inherent rights. be best for all of society. (Virginia Declaration of Rights)

Government is supposed to Government is, or ought to be protect our instituted for the common benefit, natural rights. protection, and security of the people, nation, or community. (Virginia Declaration of Rights)

Every society, all government, and every kind of civil compact therefore, it or ought to be, calculated for the general good and safety of the community. (Remarks, 1775) John Locke Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Anti-Federalist Beliefs. Read the list below. Against the Grain. George Mason argued against Mark the ideals that the anti-federalists would some popular ideas. He argued against the spread of have supported. slavery even though it was common for people like him to own slaves. He refused to sign the WE, the Anti-Federalists, believe in... Constitution, which set him apart from almost all the

other delegates. Have you ever made a decision that  Universal access to ice cream. was unpopular with your friends? How did it make you feel? Describe your experience below.  Rights for individual states.

 Protection for the everyday man.

 The rich taking care of most political matters.

 The national government should have equal power or less than the power of the states.

 A powerful national government.

 Mandatory morning workout session.

 A guarantee of individual liberties.

 Congress making the rules for all the states.

Influence Library Mason p. 2 George Mason **TEACHER GUIDE** Match-Up. Mason was influenced by European philosophers Locke and Rousseau. Later on, his ideas contributed to the foundations of the Constitution. Read Mason’s quotes in the middle column. Connect each quote to the ideas that likely influenced Mason. George Mason We all share natural People would create the rights, such as the right That all men are by nature equally general will, policies and to life, liberty, and free and independent, and have actions that are thought to property. certain inherent rights. be best for all of society. (Virginia Declaration of Rights)