Unequal power, unfair taxes, and having the ability to vote, in other words the Enlightenment, resulted in the American revolution and a formation of a new government; similar to how the French revolution followed in its footsteps and formed a democracy.
By Ben Vole
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John Locke
“The single most important influence that shaped the founding of the United States comes from John Locke, a 17th century Englishman who redefined the nature of government” (USHistory). Locke made the government equally powerful and made it more civilized. He had split the government up to make it equal. -
Voltaire
“Voltaire was a strong advocate of social reform while Rousseau was an advocate of equality within society. Both of these thinkers gave the American Revolution and our founding fathers important concepts upon which to build a new form of government” (GlbThoughts). Voltaire made up the social contract. She made the government based on the peoples opinions and the governments too. He also improved voting. -
Montesquieu
Montesquieu's views and studies of governments led him to believe that government corruption was probable if a system of government didn't include a balance of powers (SeattlePi). Montesquieu made the government split up into 3 branches of power. He also introduced the checks and balances theory to make everything have equal power. -
Rousseau
"Rousseau examined what it means to be a citizen within a civil society. Voltaire was a strong advocate of social reform while Rousseau was an advocate of equality within society " (GLBThoughts). Rousseau made it so that everyone could vote and speak on problems or arguments within the country. -
Townsend Act
“These troops weren't free and Britain needed money to pay for the troops. The British Parliament decided to tax the American colonies to help pay for the troops” (Ducksters). This connects to Montesquieu because he talks about unfair taxes. The taxes make the people go bankrupt and lose everything they have, including property. The taxes are the Elites laws and the Colonies didn't want to follow it anymore. -
Tea Party
“But they left in place the tax on tea, and in 1773 enacted a new law, the Tea Act, to prop up the financially struggling British East India Company. "destroyed more than 92,000 pounds of British tea by dumping it into the harbor. To make the point that they were rebels rather than vandals” (History). -
Tea Party 2
This connects to Rousseau because he believes that everyone is born free and should not be forced to pay all these unfair taxes. He also wanted them to be free from unequal power like the king. -
British in the Colonies
“The war followed more than a decade of growing estrangement between the British crown and a large and influential segment of its North American colonies that was caused by British attempts to assert greater control over colonial affairs after having long adhered to a policy of salutary neglect” (Britannica). The British had soldiers to be stationed in the colonies to watch them. -
British in the Colonies 2
The colonies had to follow the kings rules at all times and they did not like that. And the tension grew more and more. This connects to Voltaire's enlightenment idea because it talks about unequal power favors the elites and not the citizens. -
The Revolutionary War
“The French and Indian War, or Seven Years’ War (1756-1763), brought new territories under the power of the crown, but the expensive conflict led to new and unpopular taxes. Attempts by the British government to raise revenue by taxing the colonies (notably the Stamp Act of 1765, the Townshend Acts of 1767 and the Tea Act of 1773) met with heated protest among many colonists, which in turn led to the Revolutionary War” (History). -
Revolutionary War 2
This connects to Rousseau because he talks about how the citizens should have freedom. The colonies moved away from Britain to have more freedom, but now the King wants to tax them and put his soldiers in the colonies to make sure they are following HIS laws, not their own. -
Works cited 1
Foundations of American Government [Ushistory.Org]. https://www.ushistory.org/gov/2.asp#:~:text=The%20single%20most%20important%20influence,redefined%20the%20nature%20of%20government.&text=The%20duty%20of%20that%20government,life%2C%20liberty%2C%20and%20property. Accessed 18 May 2021. -
Works cited 2
Blog, Gerald Boerner’s. “Today’s Thought...: Voltaire & Rousseau: Thinking about the American Revolution.” Today’s Thought..., 25 June 2009, http://glb-thoughts.blogspot.com/2009/06/thinking-about-american-revolution_25.html. -
works cited 3
Blog, Gerald Boerner’s. “Today’s Thought...: Voltaire & Rousseau: Thinking about the American Revolution.” Today’s Thought..., 25 June 2009, http://glb-thoughts.blogspot.com/2009/06/thinking-about-american-revolution_25.html. -
works cited 4
“In What Ways Did Baron de Montesquieu Influence the Constitution of the United States?” Education - Seattle PI, https://education.seattlepi.com/ways-did-baron-de-montesquieu-influence-constitution-united-states-5497.html. Accessed 18 May 2021. -
works cited 5
“American Revolution | Causes, Battles, Aftermath, & Facts.” Encyclopedia Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/event/American-Revolution. Accessed 18 May 2021. -
Works cited 6
Kiger, Patrick J. “7 Events That Enraged Colonists and Led to the American Revolution.” HISTORY, https://www.history.com/news/american-revolution-causes. Accessed 18 May 2021. -
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Works cited 8
Editors, History com. “Revolutionary War.” HISTORY, https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/american-revolution-history. Accessed 18 May 2021.