The Age Of Enlightenment was a period in the 18th century where change in philosophy, beliefs, and cultural life took place in Europe and in the Americas. There were many historical figures that helped shaped everything that took place during this era. Two very important historical figures I will be talking about are John Adams and Samuel Adams. The two were influenced by the Age Of Enlightenment. They had very similar visions but their different actions spoke louder more than anything.
The Age of Enlightenment or Age of reason was a developmental philosopher movement in the 17th –century. The movement highlighted reason and individualism rather than tradition. Its purpose was to challenge the traditional rituals and open minds to a new way of thinking and rationalizing. Contrary to what some people may think these ideas, theories and new way of thinking are still relevant in today’s society. These men had a profound impact on government and their ideas helped shape the government into what it is today.
Enlightenment ideas questioned traditional rule which resulted in revolutions and rebellions Criticized role of religion Insisted on importance of reason (reason vs revelation) Enlightenment thinkers (Locke or Montesquieu) created ideas about individual or natural rights Challenged existing authority for rights (suffrage, abolishment of slavery, end of serfdom) In 18th century, people developed sense of commonality based on customs, culture, language, religion, territory Influence of nationalism caused majority of people to form an independence nation, free from colonial possessions.
The Enlightenment was an extraordinary milestone in the history of mankind. Brilliant minds came together and started to realize that the world around them was built on science. Instead of assuming divine intervention was behind the miracles of the universe, they realized that there were logical explanations. Along with the ideas of reason and knowledge, the Enlightenment also began creating thoughts of liberty and equality. These concepts quickly caught on and after a number of years, they were inspiring the independence-seeking Patriots in the eighteenth century.
The Enlightenment, also known as the “Age of Reason,” occurred in the eighteenth century and was a period in which ideas concerning God, nature, reason and humanity were combined, and these ideas instigated revolutionary developments in art, philosophy, and politics. The Enlightenment was crucial in determining aspects in terms of politics, government, and religion. Enlightenment thinkers such as John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Charles Montesquieu influenced the Founding Fathers and their ideas were found in the Declaration of Independence. The most important influence that shaped the founding of the United States came from John Locke, an Englishmen who redefined the nature of government.
Since the dawn of civilization, there have been many empires and nations in which power was held by a small set of individuals. Monarchs and emperors often claimed to rule by divine right or, in some cases, they simply claimed to be divine. These regimes would oppress the people and create extreme gaps in social status. In the 18th century, the Enlightenment movement ran directly counter to ideas of absolutism that many rulers practiced. Revolutions become very common in the late 18th century as people were very unhappy with their government.
The Enlightenment was an intellectual movement with various bright ideas in Europe during the 18th century. These ideas brought upon inventions, which have changed the course of history throughout many generations. The Enlightenment not only brought change to England, but to America as well. Many people were inspired by the Enlightenment and had many great revelations. An example would be Jean Jacques Rousseau, a francophone Genevan philosopher.
The Enlightenment was a time period in which people began to embrace individuality and many Enlightenment thinkers arose. The Enlightenment was a movement that was highly based upon reason and logic. It occurred around the mid-1700’s and helped develop a new way of life. John Locke was an influential thinker during this time. John Locke is a french philosopher and writer who developed Natural Rights.
As Greek writer Nikos Kazantzakis once said, “The real meaning of enlightenment is to gaze with undimmed eyes on all darkness” (Brainyquote). Throughout the Enlightenment, society was changed for the better and new ways of thinking encouraged geniuses to come up with revolutionary ideas and also make public, their opinions on some of the most notable topics of the time like politics and science. Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke, Voltaire, Thomas Hobbes, Baron de Montesquieu, Jean Jacques Rousseau, and Mary Wollstonecraft all used divergent thinking to influence rulers to come on a variety of topics ranging from women education to treatment of criminals. Their theories and individualized opinions have never ceased to impact the way rulers after them ran their nations. European rulers such as Catherine the Great of Russia,
The Enlightenment began with the English philosopher John Locke. It was an era of spreading faith in reason, in reason, and in universal rights and laws (The Enlightenment in Europe). The ideas that were embodied by Enlightenment were life, liberty, and property. It also led to the idea of natural right. The Enlightenment influenced the way people finally realized that divine right wasn’t right and start to doubt it.
The Enlightenment was a period of time that stressed the importance of reason and individual ideas. Many philosophers published works criticizing a country’s monarch or divulging the flaws they saw in a system within the government, such as the justice system. The Enlightenment also stressed the importance of education, and as a result of this, literacy rates experienced a major upward trend. Now able to read the philosopher’s works, a larger sum of people now were educated on the corruptions within their government. This caused a questioning of traditional practices, and people began to believe they could revise their government.
He set forth the ideal of human nature that humans were moral and reasonable. Locke stated that the people needed natural rights, or rights of life, liberty, and property. Locke rejected the absolute monarchy governments and called for a democracy to give the people more freedom and equality. His beliefs influenced many countries in the present and the future, including the United States.
The Age of Enlightenment was a philosophical movement beginning in France that stressed logic and reason as the basis of authority. The movement lasted through the 18th and 19th centuries. The movement brought along changes and leaders along with forever impacting world history. As stated above, the movement began in France and was inspired by King Louis XIV and his absolute control. He taxed many to starvation and poverty and built the Palace of Versaille to show off his wealth while believing he was made by God to be king.
Since the late 17th century, America has experienced new developments due to the act of The Enlightenment. The new thoughts, theories, and ideas of enlightenment shaped political attitudes. It was people like John Locke that continuously verbally fought about how the government should protect the rights of citizens. The citizens could rightly replace the government if the government has at all failed to do their job properly. United States constitution truly reflect the enlightenment principles.
In conclusion, the Enlightenment was vital to the American Revolution and the creation of American Government. The Enlightenment beliefs that influenced the American Revolution were natural rights, the social contract, and the right to overthrow the government if the social contract was violated. The Enlightenment beliefs that aided to the creation of the American government were separation of powers, checks and balances, and limited government. As stated before, without the Enlightenment there would not have been a revolution, resulting in no American Government. The Enlightenment’s influence on the creation of America is irrefutable.
