Dbq Essay On The Enlightenment

During the 17th-18th century, a movement referred to as The Enlightenment arose in the efforts by philosophers to reassemble European politics, beliefs, science, and communications. The purpose was to solve problems in the world with reason. An example of philosophers can be seen in Baron de Montesquieu’s view on wanting a separation of powers; Adam Smith’s thought of laissez-faire where the government allows business to operate with little or no government interference; and John Locke’s idea that everyone has the right to life, liberty, and property. John Locke influenced the foundation for people believing in natural rights. This stimulated an outbreak of revolutions such as The Revolutionary War, French Revolution, and The Saint Domingo

King George III enacted the Quartering Act and the Stamp act in 1765 A.D. The Quartering Act made the people in the colonies have to give shelter and food to a soldier who is living at their house, while the Stamp Act was a tax on stamps. He did this to pay for the debt from the French and Indian War where England has been fighting, for the colonies. This caused anger towards England because the colonies felt that they shouldn’t need to pay for the war. King George III tried to resolve the conflict by repealing the Stamp Act in 1766 A.D. But, he passes the Townshend Acts in 1766 A.D that caused more frustration because it was a tax on all bare essentials including tea. The Colonies by creating a constitution to prevent the events from the past to never happen again. James Madison, inspired by john Locke’s idea of natural rights was granted the gift of writing the constitution in 1778. In the in the First Amendment of the Constitution states “ Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” This document will change the colonies by the people to becoming free and laying the foundation for the future of the country. Overall, the American

The Three Estate System was the splitting of the citizens based on their class in society. There was the Clergy (church), the Nobility (nobles) who make up the first and second estate, and the commoners as the third estate. It was unfair that the Clergy and Nobility had only made up 2% of the country’s population but, had 35% of the land; special privileges were given by King Louis XVI gave special privileges to them. These privileges were that the Clergy and Nobility didn’t pay taxes and got to wear special clothing in public. The Third Estate, especially the Bourgeoisie, made up 98% of the French population were irritated with King Louis XVI because they had no special privileges, they paid 50% income tax, and had only 65% of land for 98% of the population. Also, France was in a debt from aiding the American Colonies during the Revolutionary War versus Britain. France did this because they have been enemies of Britain for hundreds of years and want to make Britain lose. By the end of the revolutionary war, France spent 1.3 billion Francs and was 3.35 million Francs in debt. This will cost an economic depression in France causing the citizens to be bitter. In addition to the economic depression in France, France had a couple years of an atrocious harvest. Resulting in food prices