Enlightenment thinkers - Google Docs

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Lakehead University *

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177

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Political Science

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Oct 30, 2023

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pdf

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Uploaded by DukeMetal7815

How did enlightenment thinkers influence the american revolution? The Enlightenment of the 18th century was a period of intellectual and social revolution. Enlightenment thinkers such as John Locke, Thomas Jefferson, and Thomas Paine, brought forth new ideas and philosophies that revolutionized the way people thought about government and its relationship to the people it governed. This new way of thinking had a profound impact on the American Revolution and the formation of the United States of America. Enlightenment thinkers believed in the concept of natural rights, which held that all individuals have the right to life, liberty, and property. This concept was a major influence on the Declaration of Independence, which asserts that “all men are created equal” and have the right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” The influence of natural rights on the American Revolution is exemplified by Thomas Paine’s famous pamphlet, Common Sense, which argued for the need for the colonies to declare independence from Britain and establish their own government based on the principles of natural rights. The Enlightenment also brought about a new approach to government. Enlightenment thinkers believed in the concept of a limited government, which held that the government should have only limited powers and should not interfere in the personal lives of its citizens. This concept was a major influence on the U.S. Constitution, which established a system of checks and balances to prevent the government from becoming too powerful, and also limited the government’s power by establishing a separation of powers between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. The Enlightenment also had a major impact on the way the Founding Fathers viewed the rights of citizens. Enlightenment thinkers argued that citizens should have the right to freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and freedom of religion. These rights were enshrined in the Bill of Rights, which was the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution. The influence of Enlightenment thinkers on the American Revolution was profound. The ideas of natural rights, limited government, and the rights of citizens were all major influences on the Founding Fathers and played a key role in shaping the United States of America.

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