History of North America

What did Thomas Jefferson John Adams and Benjamin Franklin believe the citizens in new republic must do?

**Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin believed that citizens in the new republic must be vigilant in their civic responsibilities in order to maintain a strong and free nation. They emphasized the importance of:

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- Education: Citizens must be educated and informed about their rights and responsibilities as citizens in order to make informed decisions and participate in the political process.

- Civic engagement: Citizens must actively participate in the political process, such as voting, serving on juries, and holding elected office.

- Defense of liberty: Citizens must be willing to defend their liberty and the principles of the Constitution against threats, both foreign and domestic.

- Respect for the law: Citizens must obey the laws of the land and respect the rights of others.

- Virtue: Citizens must possess civic virtues such as honesty, integrity, and selflessness in order to ensure the proper functioning of the government and the republic.

These beliefs reflected the classical republican ideals that informed the founding of the United States, which emphasized the importance of an active and engaged citizenry as essential to the success of a democratic government.