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How Did The Enlightenment Influence The American Revolution

1523 Words7 Pages

Caitlin Phillips
Ms. Teague
World History Honors
April 18, 2018 The Enlightenment Thinkers
Enlightenment is a new intellectual movement that stressed reason, thought and individual problem solving abilities. The significance of the Enlightenment is the belief in progress, importance of individuals, and that human reason could always solve problems, open questioning of religious belief, and to rely solely on themselves. The American Revolution was caused by John Locke's teachings,natural rights, social contract, and revolutions. One of the most famous revolutions in the American Revolution is The French and Indian War(1684-1763) this war was fought between France and England for land in America. England won the war but left with a …show more content…

Salutary neglect led to Taxation because England needed to pay off their debt so the King issued the Sugar Act of 1764 and the Stamp Act of 1765. The American Revolution created a domino effect because colonist had been the first successful rebellion against a monarch ever and it led to other rebellions and revolutions. John Locke, Voltaire and Montesquieu influenced the American founding documents through their ideas of natural rights, freedom of speech and religion, and through separation of power. John Locke influenced the Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence by his ideas of the Natural rights of man. John Locke was the exact opposite of Thomas Hobbes who believed that humans were naturally selfish and wicked and that in exchange for law and order, people must give up some rights , John Locke believed humans are naturally reasonable and he believed humans were born equal and free. John Locke influences amendment two …show more content…

Montesquieu influenced the constitution section three by stating “ The Vice President of the United States shall be president of the senate, but shall have no vote, unless they be equally divided.” This how's Montesquieu division of power belief among the government and preventing an absolute monarch. Article one of the Constitution states “All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a senate government by showing that the legislative branch will consist of a senate and House of Representatives. This shows Montesquieu belief of separation of power in the Section ten of the Constitution is influenced by Montesquieu by stating “ No state shall, without the consent of Congress” which shows they can't do anything without consent from Congress. Article V of the Constitution states “ The juhe separation of power that Montesquieu believed in and this is shown by stating that judicial power of the United States shall be vested in one supreme court, and in such inferior court as the congress may from time to time ordain and establish. This shows Montesquieu's belief in the division of power among different branches of the government. Montesquieu influenced the Bill of Right in amendment ten which shows Montesquieu influence by showing a separation of power that goes to the people and the states. Amendment

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(Montesquieu, Book XI, Ch.4). Charles’ ideas inspired the French to create the Declaration of the Rights of Man and to make a better government after overthrowing the monarchy. Montesquieu also influenced the American Revolution in a massive way. He warned, “Were the executive power not to have a right or restraining the encroachments of the legislative body, the latter would become despotic; for as it might arrogate to itself what authority it pleased, it would soon destroy all the other powers.” The Founding Fathers took his advice on the separation of powers when drafting the Constitution.

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Specifically, Locke’s ideas from his Two Treatises of Government heavily influenced Thomas Jefferson’s rationale for the propriety of America’s separation from England by expressing a great deal in the right to change the government, human rights trust and strong legislative.

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This document was essential in the success of separation of powers because it pointed out the social class gaps and disadvantages of a monarchy. He aims to show the comparison between King Louis XIV and the oppressive oriental despots. Overall, Montesquieu aims to satirize and define government and society. I think that in criticizing the deceased King, he also points out the lack of human rights by stating that the King, while he had inexhaustible finances, his soldiers and his people are living in poverty. I think that this source is biased but not necessarily false.

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Ultimately, Locke had a great influence in the American Constitution with the message within his philosophies on human rights and government. Baron de Montesquieu's • Montesquieu’s introduced the separation of

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His ideas of the separation of powers are present in the United States Constitution and are used in American government today. In Book XI Chapter 6 of Spirit of Laws, Montesquieu says of legislative and executive powers: “When the legislative and executive powers are united in the same person, or in the same body of magistrates, there can be no liberty; because apprehensions may arise, lest the same monarch or senate should enact tyrannical laws, to execute them in a tyrannical manner.” This idea can be found in Article I, Section. 1 of the Constitution: “All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.” In Article II, Section.

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Consequently, a limited government was created in response to these new thoughts. Furthermore, this new type of government was extremely revolutionary because it changed the way that the citizens had thought or viewed about the government. Two Enlightenment philosophers that influenced the creation of the government were John Locke and Montesquieu. John Locke had the belief that everyone had natural rights (life, liberty, property) and that if the government failed to protect these rights, they could be overthrown and replaced. Also, Montesquieu’s idea of the separation of powers helped shape the government.

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John Locke was all about the natural rights theory, these rights are given to us without a doubt because we are human, the government does not control these, and Jefferson became tired of fighting for his natural rights from Great Britain. Britain did not give America the same rights as they did their own citizens which is not right since the two where both under the same rule. So, Thomas Jefferson was done with putting up with this, because he believed that Americans had. What Locke meant by this and what Jefferson was trying to get across to Great Britain through the Declaration was that it is a person's right to declare their god given or natural rights and. Jefferson did just that he incorporated this view of Locke’s to justify his ideas

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Locke insisted, “that government was originally formed for the purpose of protecting man 's individual rights against the incursions of other individuals” (Sigler, 1998, para.1). Locke’s ideas on revolution supported the American Revolutionary war and his views of man’s natural rights shape our democratic government which are still relevant today. John Locke’s famous writing Two Treaties of Government claimed that all men have certain natural rights. Men have the right to be free and equal which went against the early rule of the monarchy. He believed some of our rights have to be given up in order to form a government that would protect every man but if the government failed or selfishly used

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To begin with, Montesquieu is best known for his ideas to revolutionize political systems. The separation of powers changed society by allowing people to think that not just one person should control and govern the laws of a country. The Spirit of the Laws which was a book written

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V). Both Amendments III and IV also protect the people’s rights to property. The Third Amendment prevents citizens from being forced to house soldiers, and the Fourth Amendment prevents unauthorized searches and violation of property. In Locke’s Second Treatise on Government, he writes, “The legislative acts against the trust reposed in them when they endeavor to invade the property of the subject… whenever the legislators endeavor to take away and destroy the property of the people… they put themselves into a state of war with the people, who are thereupon absolved from any farther obedience” (Locke, Second Treatise).

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If this was not being done, he proclaimed that the people had the right to rebel. Other philosophers also convinced the French people about the corruption and misdeeds of the French monarchy. For example, Baron de Montesquieu frequently spoke that there should be a separation of power in

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Locke’s ideas from the Two Treatises of Government and An Essay Concerning Human Understanding, were based upon the natural rights where power comes from the people. Both of his pieces contributed to revolutions, most importantly the American Revolution as power from monarchies was removed and democracies were created. Allowed for limited government power and all obligations were to the citizens. An Essay Concerning Human Understanding basis was on how the knowledge existence of God, certain moral truths, and laws of logic or mathematics pertained to the natural rights of

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Different factors had a part to play in starting or even propelling ‘the Age of Enlightenment’, including the rule of the Church and State which experienced a power struggle among them, in addition to the Western discovery of latest societies with noticeably exclusive cultural traditions and norms. Many intellectuals felt unhappy with the fixed social styles amongst their very own collectives, and angry at their governments' refusal to provide non-public rights. The lasting political effect of the Enlightenment can't be overstated. At the least three fundamental political revolutions came about throughout this time period in Britain, America, and France.

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John Locke was a philosopher and political scientist. He had many interests and produced a number of writings that influenced future leaders. One of these leaders was Thomas Jefferson, who was involved with the aid of America and the act gaining independence from Britain. The Declaration of Independence and Locke’s views on government contain many similar aspects. These ideas includes the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness (natural rights); the protection that is provided by the government for these rights; and the altering or abolishment of government if it fails to provide and protect the rights of the people.

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During the Estates General, Louis XIV believes he can rid the Third Estate’s demands by locking them out. The Third Estate moves next door to a tennis court and takes an oath to remain there until there is a constitutional monarchy, a form of government promulgated by Montesquieu in his “Spirit of Laws”. “Montesquieu claimed that a liberal constitutional monarchy was the best system of government for a people who prized freedom, on the grounds that by dividing the sovereignty of the nation between several centres of power, it provided a permanent check on any one of them becoming despotic.” Montesquieu is clearly vital in the French Revolution as he sets the structure of government which the National Assembly demands and provides the governmental goal of

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