The Enlightenment influenced the American Revolution by affecting the philosophical aspects of the revolution, such as the Bill of Rights, the Constitution, and the Declaration of Independence.
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Locke Publishes His Ideas
In his book, Two Treatises on Government, Locke states ideas such as, "...all people are born free and equal, with three natural rights—
life, liberty, and property. The purpose of government, said Locke, is to protect these rights. If a government fails to do so, citizens have the right to overthrow it." (Pearson 551) -
Voltaire Flees Paris After Expressing Opinions
"Voltaire never stopped fighting for tolerance, reason, freedom of religious belief, and freedom of speech. He used his quill pen as if it were a deadly weapon." (Pearson 553) Voltaire had a sharp tongue, and, although he made many enemies, he continued to fight against what he described as 'evil things.' -
Montesquieu Publishes His Famous Book
"In his book [On the Spirit of Laws], Montesquieu proposed that separation of powers would keep any individual or group from gaining total control of the government." (Pearson 553) This idea is now known as a system of "checks and balances." -
Rousseau Publishes His Political Philosophies
"Rousseau believed that the only good government was one that was freely formed by the people and guided by the 'general will' of society—a direct democracy. Under such a government, people agree to give up some of their freedom in favor of the common good." (Pearson 544) Therefore, Rousseau's philosophies supported the belief of a democracy and a social contract with the government in which the people could 'back out' of if they saw unjust behavior. -
Beccaria Publishes Crimes and Punishments
In his book, he argued, "...that a person accused of a crime should receive a speedy trial, and that torture should never be used." (Pearson 554) Beccaria fought for the abolishment of torture and he fought to eliminate punishments that were 'arbitrary and cruel.' -
The Declaration of Independence and Locke's Ideas
Within this declaration, it states, "...that they are endowed... with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness... That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it." (The 1) So, Locke's ideas were used as a fundamental towards writing the Declaration of Independence, a key document in the American Revolution. -
The Declaration of Independence and Rousseau's Social Contract
In the Declaration of Independence, it states, "That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government." (The 1) This represents Rousseau's idea that you have a contract with the government and you have the right to back out if you do not receive the rights you deserve. Today, we also use a constitutional democracy that is relatively guided by the 'general will' of the people. -
The U.S. Constitution Was Established With a Basis of Montequieu's Ideas
"The concept of Separation of Powers is embodied in the Constitution in the 1st Article, in the 2nd Article, and in the 3rd Article," and, "His ideas about separation of powers and checks and balances became the basis for the United States Constitution." (Pearson 553) So, Montequieu's beliefs contributed toward the writing of one of the most important documents in the entire American Revolution, the Constitution. -
The Bill of Rights and Voltaire's Influence
In the First Amendment, it states, "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." (All 1) These ideals of freedom of religion and speech are exactly what Voltaire fought for and symbolized. So, Voltaire's beliefs were used in the development of the Bill of Rights and the First Amendment. -
Amendments and Beccaria
In the Eighth Amendment, it states, "...nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted." (All 1) Also, in the Sixth Amendment, it states, "...the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial." (All 1) So, Beccaria's ideas of abolishing torture, eliminating cruel punishments, and granting the right to a speedy trial were considered when writing amendments on the constitution, one of the most important documents in the American Revolution. -
Wollstonecraft Publishes Her Beliefs On Women's Rights
In her essay, A Vindication of the Rights of Women, she, "...argued for women's right to participate in politics." (Pearson 555) She also argued for many other rights for women, such as the right to an education. -
The Nineteenth Amendment and Beccaria's Influence
The Nineteenth Amendment states, "The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex." (All 1) So, Wollstonecraft's thoughts and ideals of women's rights, such as voting, influenced an amendment on the Constitution. -
WORKS CITED
Pearson Education. Pacemaker World History. Shoreview, MN:
Pearson AGS Globe, 2008. Print.
"All Amendments to the United States Constitution." All
Amendments to the United States Constitution. University of
Minnesota Human Rights Library, 2014. Web. 02 May 2017.
"The Declaration of Independence: Full Text." Ushistory.org.
Independence Hall Association, n.d. Web. 02 May 2017.
