1. The Enlightenment & its influence on the Declaration of Independence

2. The Enlightenment was a period that promoted human intellect, reasoning, liberty and virtue.

3. John Locke English Philosopher Wrote “Two Treatises on Government”
Advocated a civil society based on natural rights
Any government that rules without the people’s consent should be overthrown
Influenced Voltaire

4. Voltaire French Philosopher
Wrote “Letters Concerning an English Nation”
Lived in England from
Spoke out against the British monarchy (king) rule over the people

5. Thomas Paine English man who moved to the colonies in 1774
Published “Common Sense” in 1776 that called for American Independence from England
“Society in every state is a blessing, but government even in its best state is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one.”

6. The Enlightenment influenced the men of the 2nd Continental Congress who wrote the Declaration of Independence…

7. Thomas Jefferson
Benjamin Franklin
John Adams

8. “We hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal…”
Thomas Jefferson
Declaration of Independence

9. “that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights.…”
Thomas Jefferson
Declaration of Independence

10. “that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.…”
Thomas Jefferson
Declaration of Independence