The American Revolution And The Enlightenment - 1531 Words

The American Revolution brought about changes in the way the world viewed religion, science, and government. The Enlightenment, an European movement that affected social customs and political ideals not only in Europe, but also in America, brought these new ideas and changes to light. Enlightenment’s main goal was to seek out a better understanding of the natural world through reason. Reason is an individual trait, and, according to Enlightenment thinkers, this justifies that power should be help by the people. There was a desire by many colonists to form a government based off democratic ideals with balanced powers, and these principles can be traced back to the Enlightenment movement. One of the most influential Enlightenment thinkers was John Locke who rejected the claim to the Crown, and he believed that individuals held the right to revolt against a tyrannical government. Locke argued that rebellion against the government was acceptable if that government failed to protect the natural rights of the individual including life, liberty, and property. Locke proclaimed, â€Å"Government has no other end, but the preservation of property† (Locke). Locke also believed that a strong powerful government would use its authority to control the governed. Because of this, Locke believed the government should be divided into different branched with a system of 2 checks and balances, allowing each branch to hold only the power needed to fulfill its given function. Locke believed thatShow MoreRelatedThe Enlightenment And The American Revolution2027 Words   |  9 PagesThe Enlightenment and the American Revolution Everyone knows the story of how America came to be. It was similar to David versus Goliath, the American colonists against the potent England. England at the time of the Revolution, boasted the largest and most powerful fighting force in the history of the world. The Americans were rebellious country-cousins who wanted freedom from what they regarded as a capricious and tyrannical paternal England so they could govern themselves. The result was AmericaRead MoreInfluence Of Enlightenment On The American Revolution898 Words   |  4 Pages The ideas of the Enlightenment influenced the American Revolution and the formation of the American Government in several different ways. The Enlightenment period initiated several new ideas about freedoms and rights. These ideas were discussed in meetings called salons in France, where they discussed new ideas. There were many influential philosophers from the enlightenment periods, Thomas Hobbes, Montesquieu, Adam Smith, Voltaire, John Locke, and Rousseau. Thomas Hobbes believed that all peopleRead MoreThe British Enlightenment And The American Revolution1538 Words   |  7 PagesThe American Revolution was a product of the British Enlightenment as well as both American and British history. The Enlightenment was age of innovation taking place during the 17th and 18th centuries. During this period there were great advancements in science that pushed back religious superstitions, as well as developments in economics and political thinking. (lecture) The British Enlightenment specifically had a large impact on the American Revolution with key figures such as John Locke. HisRead MoreThe Influence Of The American Revolution And The Enlightenment799 Words   |  4 Pagesto the American Revolution had tremendous influence over the Founders of the United States. These ideas came together in the creation of the U.S. constitution, working in tandem to lay the foundation for the way the government should be structured, as well as the core philosophy behind the country. The Enlightenment, also called the Age of Reason, influenced the rest of the world during the late eighteenth century. There were several revolutions taking place at this time, but the American RevolutionRead MoreThe Enlightenment Ideas Of The American Revolution1423 Words   |  6 PagesThe Enlightenment’s ideas in the American Revolution People in America were mad and broke. The colonies did not like the idea of paying high taxes to the King of England. In order to show their rage and anger, they did it by not paying taxes. The King of England was frustrated by the colonist s action and send an army to the Americas to sort this problem out. However, the people of America wanted to be free from England, so with the help of the Enlightenment thinkers and the philosophers, theyRead More Enlightenment Ideas Inspired The American and French Revolutions1523 Words   |  7 PagesEnlightenment Ideas Inspired The American and French Revolutions The American and French Revolutions were both fundamentally based on the Enlightenment ideas. The main ideas that they followed were by John Locke. His ideas inspired the Americans and the French to have a revolution. In these revolutions, the Americans had success and the French failed. The success that the Americans experienced wad due to the protection of rights they had. These rights are Life, Liberty and Property.? In AmericaRead MoreEnlightenment Ideas Inspired the American and French Revolutions1504 Words   |  7 PagesThe American and French Revolutions were both fundamentally based on the Enlightenment ideas. The main ideas that they followed were by John Locke. His ideas inspired the Americans and the French to have a revolution. In these revolutions, the Americans had success and the French failed. The success that the Americans experienced wad due to the protection of rights they had. These rights are Life, Liberty and Property. In America a constitution was put together that provided for a stableRead MoreTo What Extent Was The Enlightenment The Main Driving Force Behind The American And French Revolutions?1479 Words   |  6 Pagesfocuses on the causes of Atlantic Revolutions and will explore the question: To what extent was the Enlightenment the main driving force behind the American and French Revolutions? The years 1685 to 1815 (Strayer, 2011) will be the focus of this investigation to allow for an analysis of the Enlightenment ideas’ impact the need for governmental change in the American colonies and France during the eighteenth century, as well as their governmental influences post-revolutions. †¯ The first source whichRead MoreFrench Revolution: the Solution to Class Inequality1141 Words   |  5 PagesThe French Revolution was one of the most important events that occurred in the history of France. The revolution crumpled the Old Regime and completely transformed the social and political system of France. The people of France sought to establish a more egalitarian society through their newly created Republic. When Enlightenment thinkers such as John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Baron de Montesquieu introduced individual liberty, natural rights and equality the ideas of revolution emerged. AsRead MoreClassical Liberalism: Two Treatises on Government by John Locke1152 Words   |  5 PagesLiberalism, the Enlightenment, was a political movement that has impacted countries and their policies over many generations. The Enlightenment emphasized the notion that men are inherently good by nature (Bentley). The Enlightenment gave people the idea that a king was not necessary to rule over the people because people are not inherently bad. If anything, the people need someone to guide them but not have absolute rule over them. Revolutions have been based off of Enlightenment ideals because they