How Did The Enlightenment Contribute To The American Revolution

In 1765 the American Revolution begin. How did we get here? The enlightenment, so what is the enlightenment. The enlightenment was a philosophical movement, where great ideas came that influenced many revolutions later on. The important major philosophers were Thomas Hobbes, he believed people were selfish and needed a strong government was needed for example a monarchy. Also, Montesquieu supported separation of power and a system of of checks and balances. Another was Adam Smith believed government should not interfere with free market economy. As well there was Voltaire, who believed in freedom of speech, John Locke said that people could revolt when their government wasn’t protecting the natural rights. Lastly, Rousseau wrote the social contract. They were important because they bought new ideas. They brought documents, government ideals, and set up ideas for the revolutions not only that they gave us many important ideas that we still use today.

Some of the thinkers talked about government, that wasn’t a monarchy. For example Montesquieu believed in separation of powers. Leading to the Constitution that included his ideas. Adam Smith's idea over government not messing with the free economy led to the Boston tea party. The revolution was a revolt between the colonies and Britain for independence. This was important because it is when the United States became independent. John Locke influenced the revolution by saying people could revolt when their government was not protecting natural rights of the people. When the colonies felt they weren’t they revolted. Montesquieu gave an idea of new way of government with separation of powers and checks and balances. The Enlightenment and its idea influenced the American