Enlightenment theory states, citizens can advance their government through revolution resulting in colonist to over throw the British government and shape their own country.
By Leslie2018
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Period: to
The American Revolution
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The Sugar Act
The sugar act was placed on the Americans because they were receiving sugar from other areas that was much cheaper. Losing money the British put a tax on the Americans making sugar exteremly expensive. -
The Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was an act against the British Parliament. Taxes were placed against the American colonist which soon lead to the American Revolution. -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was a event that shook Americans. Patriots surrounded a Customs house in Boston to protest about occupation of the British troops. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was a protest against the British taxes. This took place because Colonist were upset about the taxes that were being placed on then. -
John locke
John Locke was a enlightenment thinker in the 1700's that had a major effect on the American Revolution. His ideas influenced the Declaration of Independence with the three equal rights from which Thomas Jefferson used to write the Declaration of Independence. As stated in the text, “The duty of that government is to protect the natural rights of the people, which Locke believed to include LIFE, LIBERTY, AND PROPERTY" (ushistory). -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence outlined several major enlightenment thinkers including John Locke, and Montesquieu. -
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Rousseau created the social contract. Colonist weren't happy with the way they were being treated and the social contract stated " the colonists had the right "to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government" (ushistory). Help setting a solid foundation for a new forming government. -
Montesquieu
Montesquieu believe that there should be a separation of powers in the government. The Founding Fathers were heavily inspired by this statement made by Montesquieu when writhing the Constitution. -
Cesare Beccaria
Beccaria's beliefs were that punishment from crimes was to a better society, not to get revenge on the person who had committed the crimes. -
Mary Wollstonecraft
Mary Wollstonecraft helped women realize that they deserve the same rights as men. She showed women that they should all stand up a fight for equal rights. -
Work Cited
“Charles Secondat, Baron De Montesquieu.” Montesquieu,
Separation of Powers, the Constitution, and the Founding
Fathers, www.americassurvivalguide.com/montesquieu.php.
Foundations of American Government.” Ushistory.org, Independence
Hall Association, www.ushistory.org/gov/2.asp.
History.com Staff. “Revolutionary War.” History.com, A&E Television
Networks, 2009, www.history.com/topics/american -
revolution/american-revolution-history. -
Work Cited
Wandrei, Kevin. “Thomas Hobbes' Importance in American
Government.” Synonym, 21 Nov. 2017,
https://classroom.synonym.com/thomas-hobbes-importance-
american-government-22001.html
