Thomas Hobbes Influence On The American Revolution

Throughout the revolutions of the 18th century, the ideas of political philosophers manifested in some of the most pivotal moments of the time. Perspectives from political philosophers like John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, Charles Montesquieu, Voltaire, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau largely affected the origins and outcomes of these renowned events, as their ideas reflected religious freedom, sovereign power, equality, and liberty. These influential ideas are displayed in important documents such as the US Declaration of Independence, the US Constitution and Bill of Rights, and the French Declaration of The Rights of Man. The viewpoints of John Locke heavily influenced the American Revolution with his perspectives revolving around individual rights,

Hobbes’ major ideas involving revolutions fell largely on absolutism and sovereign power. In French Revolution, Hobbes’ prominent idea of sovereign powers is heavily reflected in the French government, as the results of the French Revolution led to changes in the overall power and sovereignty of the government. As the events of the French Revolution occurred and people questioned the French government, the French Declaration of the Rights of Man was developed, with Hobbes’ ideas being expressed in just the third article, “The principle of all sovereignty resides essentially in the nation. No body nor individual may exercise any authority which does not proceed directly from the nation” (Article 3, The French Declaration of the Rights of Man). Proving Hobbes’ idea of sovereignty and its effects of it on the people of France, as it became a French law, this article reflects how Hobbes’ perspectives created expansive notions that spread to the people of France and influenced governmental changes post-revolution. While Hobbes’ ideas presented themselves significantly in the French Revolution, the views of Charles Montesquieu heavily influenced the outcomes and motivations of the American Revolution. Distinctly, Montesquieu’s belief that governments could not fall solely on one supreme ruler made waves in the American Revolution and was majorly displayed in his

Relating significantly to the French Revolution, Voltaire was extremely critical of absolute monarchy. As the people of France developed similar criticism, revolutionary changes occurred, creating the initial sparks of the French Revolution. While doing this, Voltaire also made philosophical strides in regard to liberty, progress, and equality. These strides played a prominent position in the outcome of the American Revolution and state exactly what the colonies were fighting for at this time. Voltaire’s points on these are specifically cited in the first amendment of the US Bill of Rights, “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.” (Bill of Rights). Elaborating on some of Voltaire’s key beliefs, the first amendment also reflects his strong perspective on freedom of religion and religious tolerance, as it is clearly stated in the amendment. As Voltaire’s viewpoints were seeping into the American and French Revolutions, the ideas of fellow Frenchmen Jean-Jacques Rousseau were influencing those same revolutions. Rousseau held beliefs that inspired some of the most apparent aspects of the French Revolution