American Enlightenment Thinkers Late 1600s through 1700s

ENlightenment Shift of thinking in late 17th century and early 18th century Began in Europe, spread to U.S. Emphasis on importance of reason/individualism Denounces sole reliance on tradition and faith Its purpose was to… reform society using reason challenge ideas grounded in tradition (esp. absolute rule) advance knowledge through the scientific method

John Locke Life, liberty and property Two Treatises of Government (1690) Representative government is the form that would best serve all constituents Believed society was based on an agreement of the majority (social contract theory) Government by consent of the governed

Thomas Paine Common Sense (1776) Gov’t is a necessary evil Argued that colonists should rebel against the Crown Widely read throughout colonies (500,000+ copies sold) Gov’t is a necessary evil

Benjamin Franklin American thinker, diplomat, and inventor Traveled between colonies and Europe Facilitated exchange on ideas across Atlantic Involved in founding of the country Declaration of Independence U.S. Constitution

Thomas Jefferson American thinker and politician Penned Declaration of Independence Altered Locke’s “life, liberty, and property” to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness Organic constitutionalism Living documents that transforms over time with progress of humanity

James Madison “Father of the Constitution” The Federalist Papers (with Hamilton & Jay) Separation of powers (3 branches) Checks and balances Gov’t will control itself Advocated for Bill of Rights

John Adams Criticized popular rule or pure democracy Right to attorney Idea of electoral college Humans want to increase their personal power and reputation Right to attorney Represented British soldiers in connection with Boston Massacre