Enlightenment Ideology and Its Effect on the American Revolution What was the Enlightenment and what affect did it have on our American History? The Enlightenment refers to a period in time (the early-mid 1700s) in European history where many long-standing cultural, social, political, even economic traditions were being questioned. Enlightenment thinkers were trying to used logic and science to understand the true nature of man and offer more effective, productive, humane ways of organizing society… lets meet some of these guys:

JOHN LOCKE Believed in natural laws and natural rights. At birth, the mind is a blank tablet. Everything we know comes from the experience of the senses. We are born with rights because they are a part of nature, of our very existence – they come from God. (sound familiar?) At birth, people have the right to life, liberty, and property. (ring a bell?) Rulers / governments have an obligation, a responsibility, to protect the natural rights of the people it governs. (how ‘bout this?) If a government fails in its obligation to protect natural rights, the people have the right to overthrow that government. The best government is one which is accepted by all of the people and which has limited power (Locke liked the English monarchy where laws limited the power of the king). (think our founding fathers read Locke?)

JEAN-JACQUES ROUSSEAU People are basically good but become corrupted by society (like the absolute monarchy in France). For Rousseau, the social contract was the path to freedom: people should do what is best for their community. The general will (of the people) should direct the state toward the common good. Hence, the good of the community is more important than individual interests. His most famous work was The Social Contract. JJR questioned authority - absolute monarchy and religion. JJR was passionate, he hated political and economic oppression.

MONTESQUIEU He strongly criticized absolute monarchy and was a voice for democracy. Separation of Powers - the best way to protect liberty was to divide the powers of government into three branches: legislative; executive; and judicial. Checks and Balances – each branch of government should check (limit) the power of the other two branches. Thus, power would be balanced (even) and no one branch would be too powerful. Montesquieu studied the history of governments and cultures all over the world.

Montesquieu His first book, The Persian Letters, ridiculed the absolute monarchy and social classes in France. He also wrote The Spirit of the Laws. Montesquieu’s ‘separation of powers’ and ‘checks and balances’ greatly influenced James Madison and the other framers of the US Constitution. These ideas are at the core of American government to this day.

VOLTAIRE Advocated freedom of thought, speech, politics, and religion. Fought against intolerance, injustice, inequality, ignorance, and superstition. Attacked idle aristocrats, corrupt government officials, religious prejudice, and the slave trade. He often had to express his views indirectly through fictional characters because he lived in an absolute monarchy in France.

Voltaire Wrote the famous novel Candide Voltaire often used a razor sharp humor and cutting sarcasm in his writings. He was imprisoned in the Bastille in Paris and exiled because of his attacks on the French government and the Catholic Church. Voltaire’s books were outlawed, even burned, by the authorities.

Voltaire - Quotes My trade is to say what I think. I do not agree with a word you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it. As long as people believe in absurdities they will continue to commit atrocities. Every man is guilty of all the good he did not do. God is a comedian, playing to an audience too afraid to laugh. He who thinks himself wise, O heavens, is a great fool.

Who was Thomas Paine and what was his contribution to American history Who was Thomas Paine and what was his contribution to American history? Why was it a memorable contribution? (118) Thomas Paine wrote a pamphlet… a news letter called Common Sense. In a time before television, internet, radio, smart-phones, etc… newsletters were how people reached a mass audience. The British government GREATLY underestimated the reach and the readership of these little newsletters. They had no idea how well-informed the colonists were. Thomas Paine’s pamphlet wasn’t the only one circulated that promoted the ideas of separation, but it was surely the one most widely distributed and most easily understood… MANY colonists became patriots to the cause because of his words.

Common Sense “ The period of debate is closed. Arms as the last resource, decides the contest… Every thing that is right or natural pleads for separation. The blood of the slain, the weeping voice of nature cries, “TIS TIME TO PART.”

The Decision to Declare Independence Was the decision to declare independence an easy one? What needed to be considered first? The decision to declare independence was AVOIDED as much as possible… The Stamp Act Congress was intended to try to negotiate a fair solution for the colonists as LOYAL subjects The First Continental Congress was called to discuss how to get the King to WORK WITH THE COLONIES. The Second Continental Congress first sent the Olive Branch Petition, again to try to improve relations with the Parliament and king.

Declaring Independence The truth is, for our founding fathers to draft the Declaration of Independence meant that they were willingly and knowingly committing an undeniable, blatant act of treason against their country… Britain. The punishment for treason is death. These guys were rich, educated, land-owning social elites… they had MUCH to lose if this didn’t work out.

The Declaration What does the Declaration of Independence say? Most people don’t realize that the Declaration is a letter… to whom? What do you think the letter says? … you can read it for yourselves on pgs 123-125 in your text. The accusations are heavy!