The Americans used Enlightenment principles to realize they were victims of unfair law and tax, resulting in the beginning of a democratic government and the start of a free and fair country.
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Thomas Hobbes
T. Hobbes expressed his views on humanity saying they are born wicked and selfish. Thomas Hobbes ideas were never really used but his is a main part of the American Revolution because he was a starter of the Enlightenment ideas which sparked rules that America uses to this day. (Black & Beck 629). -
Rousseau
Rousseau, passionate about individual freedom, believed everyone is born free and is equal to everyone. Rousseau said a good government is one that was formed freely by the people, he explained his philosophy in his book called The Social Contract. He gave people hope for being able to stand up for themselves which was shown in the Boston Tea Party. (Black & Beck 641). -
Voltaire
Voltaire had many enemies throughout his life. He has gone to prison due to his beliefs which include tolerance, reason, freedom of religious belief, and freedom of speech. He also believed in separation of the church and state. We use the beliefs of his today, we have for a few centuries now. (Black & Beck 630). -
Beccaria
Beccaria believed laws were to protect social order and not to avenge crimes, which he stated in his book Crimes and Punishments the book stated against common abuses of justice. The abuses of justice were torturing of witnesses and suspects, improper proceedings in a trial, and wrongful punishments. Beccaria believed in speedy trials, no use of torture, and punishment is based on seriousness of crime. These judicial laws are used in today's courts still. (Black & Beck 632). -
Boston Tea Party
King George the third taxed the import of tea and the colonists rebelled and threw the tea into the Boston Harbor a.k.a. Boston Tea Party. The colonists were unhappy because they were not part of the taxation discussion therefore according to Rousseau they had the right to rebel by dumping the tea into the Boston Harbor. Rousseau believes if the government does not keep their promise people have the right to rebel. (Black & Beck 641). -
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Long and prosperous government
The American founders were well educated in the writings of the philosophies, whose ideas influenced the shaping of the new country. Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, James Madison, and others took the steps of creating a government based on the Enlightenment values of liberty, equality, and a new form of justice. More than 200 years later, that government is still intact. (ushistory.org) -
King George a tyrant?
“Colonial leaders used Enlightenment ideas to justify independence. The colonists had asked for the same political rights as people in Britain, they said, but the king had stubbornly refused. Therefore, the colonists were justified in rebelling against a tyrant who had broken the social contract” (Black & Beck 641). The colonists are accusing King George of a tyrant. The social contract refers to John Locke's Enlightenment idea. (Black & Beck 641). -
Declaration of Independence
Declaration of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson. It was a list of abuses the colonists felt against King George. The declaration was based upon John Locke’s thoughts were everyone had their 3 natural rights that could not be taken away, “LIFE, LIBERTY, AND PROPERTY” (ushistory.org) (Black & Beck 641-642). -
John Locke
Locke published his ideas on the Enlightenment stating humans are born with there three natural rights. The natural rights included life, liberty, and property. His ideas help to declare our rights as citizens of the United States of America. (ushistory.org) (Black & Beck 641-642). -
Republic Ruled by the People
The creation of the U.S. Constitution allowed America to become a Republic ruled by the people. This connects to Rousseau who believed in the social contract or a set of laws to protect the people and the government. (Black & Beck 644). -
Montesquieu
Montesquieu, an aristocrat and lawyer, wrote a book called On the Spirit of Laws which included his proposed idea of separation of power within the government. Montesquieu was helpful in the creation of the U.S. Constitution, creating a set of rules for the people and government. (Black & Beck 645). -
Constitution
The Constitution set up a system of checks and balances which kept all three separate branches of government from becoming too powerful or corrupt. Montesquieu also believed a strong, powerful government was important but so was the separation of power. (Black & Beck 645). -
Work Cited
ushistory.org. “Foundations of American Government.” ushistory.org, Independence Hall Association, 2018, www.ushistory.org/gov/2.asp. Beck, Roger B., et al. World History: Patterns of Interaction. McDougal Littell, 2007.
