Final answer:
The central values and beliefs that influenced culture and politics in the American colonies included a belief in natural rights, religious tolerance, and representative self-government. These values were rooted in traditions established in the colonies and influenced by thinkers like John Locke.
Step-by-step explanation:
The central values and beliefs that influenced culture and politics in the American colonies included a belief in natural rights, natural laws, moral behavior based on the Ten Commandments, and the belief in religious tolerance. These beliefs were commonly shared among the colonists and were influenced by thinkers like John Locke, who emphasized the relationship between government and natural rights.
A core tenet of American political thought was the desire to limit the power of government and allow people to govern themselves. This belief was rooted in the tradition of representative self-government that was established in the colonies. When colonists felt that this tradition was threatened by the actions of Parliament and the King, the American Revolution began.
The values that originated in founding documents such as the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution include life, liberty, property, the pursuit of happiness, the common good, justice, and equality. These values are still considered fundamental in American society today.