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The Enlightenment in Europe
The Enlightenment in Europe was a period of philosophical principals which dominated the world. The enlightenment was part of various ideas that were based on reason. Thus, it advanced on believes such as Liberty, progress, fraternity and the separation of church and state. Science based theories were made, questioning many religious believes. Many philosophers gave their theories and principals to the world, triggering many changes in the way life was controlled. -
John Locke
Known as the "father of liberalism'. John Locke was one of the most influential philosophers in the enlightenment. His contributions to classical republicanism and liberal theory are reflected in the United States Declaration of Independence. John's ideas can be seen directly on the declaration of independence where his believes of natural rights are mentioned. -
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American Enlightenment
The American Enlightenment was influenced by the European Enlightenment. This period of new philosophical ideas and advances led to the American revolution against the British power later on influencing on the formation of the American Republic. -
Jonathan Edwards
An American preacher that wanted to restore religion among the colonists. He believed that the people were more concerned on things that really did not matter. Made sermons that touched the audiences emotions in order to persuade them into repent. Jonathan Edwards was one of the most influential preachers in the first Great Awakening. -
The first Great Awakening
Started due to the distance that the colonists had made from the puritan church. The church wanted to show all believers that they needed God for salvation, and in order to get salvation they had to be good puritans. Priests and church representatives were seeking to gain back their followers and were capable of doing everything to reach their goals. Many changes had to be made In the church. For example during this time, they started to allow dark-skinned people to go to church or be priests. -
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The Great Awakening
The Great Awakening was a period of religious revival. The colonists went apart from the church because they did not agree with the way it was being controlled. Since the church was loosing followers, they made sermons in order to persuade all the sinners back to believing. This was important to the American revolution since it gave the Americans the idea that the church was weak and that they had a chance on attacking the British crown. -
Benjamin Franklin
He conducted studies of electricity, invented bifocal glasses, the lighting rod, and the stove. He was a important diplomat and statesman and eventually signed the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States. He was in the movement of the enlightenment and added ideas of it to the constitution of the United States. -
George Whitefield
He was a great preacher who had recently been an alehouse attendant. Everyone in the colonies enjoyed to hear him preach of love and forgiveness because he had a different style of preaching. This led to new missionary work in the Americas in converting Indians and Africans to Christianity, as well as lessening the importance of the old clergy. -
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Jean-Jacques Rousseau was an Enlightenment thinker whose political philosophies influenced The American Revolution. He is perhaps best known for his “social contract” theory, which outlined the conditions for legitimate government. One of Rousseau's major arguments was that the power to shape a society’s laws belonged to the citizenry. Today, this is one of the central foundations of a democratic government. -
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The American Revolution
The American Revolution was a war between the British crown and the thirteen colonies. The colonies were not agreeing with the way England governed their country. Ideas from the Enlightenment such as Liberty, religious tolerance, and freedom gave the colonists a reason to fight against the British Crown. -
The Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of independence, is the statement adopted by the Second Continental Congress. It was signed after the revolutionary war ended. The founding fathers that were also in the enlightenment movement, gave rights all citizens have in the country. Including Life, liberty and Pursue of happiness which were rights that came from John Locke's ideas. -
Common Sense
Common Sense by Tomas Paine argues for America's right for Indepence. Tomas starts by seperating and comparing the goverment and the people. He basicly states that Goverment should protect the people and that is its only soul purpose. He explains the evil and good in people and that the goverment should only act in ways to benifit society not themselfs. -
Bill of Rights
The first 10 amendments to the Constitution make up the Bill of Rights. Written by James Madison in response to calls from several states for greater constitutional protection for individual people, the Bill of Rights lists specific prohibitions on governmental power. These ideas also were triggered by the enlightenment and the idea of being free from the England church. -
The Second Great Awakening
Second call to all puritans by the church. They focused on emotions, and the appeal to the super natural. The leaders of this movement Rejected the ideas that came from the enlightenment completely. Ideas from this Awakening such as that in order to get full repent, the sinner must not only seek salvation through repent but also through helping the society become better. Reforms took the shape of social movements for temperance, women’s rights, and the abolition of slavery. -
The abolition of Slavery
The abolition of slavery was one of the effects that the Great Awakening had. The church was willing to pursue many changes in order to gain power again, and since the idea that God gave liberty to all was said in the enlightenment, they had to pursue it.
