1. The American Enlightenment, 1750 - 1815

3. THE AMERICAN ENLIGHTENMENT
All Americans have a right to "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
The American Enlightenment was the emergence of new political and social ideas in early America.
Respect for Nature and Science
Religious Freedom
Economic Liberty
Republicanism

4. John Locke
John Locke is considered to be one of the most influential thinkers of the Enlightenment.
He wrote about:
Religious Tolerance
Theory of Value and Property
Political Theory
Education

5. Locke on Religious tolerance
Earthly judges, the state in particular, and human beings generally, cannot dependably evaluate the truth-claims of competing religious standpoints
Even if they could, enforcing a single "true religion" would not have the desired effect, because belief cannot be compelled by violence
Coercing religious uniformity would lead to more social disorder than allowing diversity
McGrath, Alister Historical Theology, An Introduction to the History of Christian Thought. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers. pp. 214–5.

6. LOCKE ON PROPERTY
Property is a natural right and is derived from labor.
Persons own themselves and own their labor.
Later critiqued by Karl Marx and Rousseau

7. John locke on political theory
Social Contract
Questions the legitimacy of government.
Government is only legitimate if the people consent to being governed.
Humans forfeit freedom for protection from their government; as such, they must consent.
Humans have natural, inalienable rights (God-given) and as such, the government is unable to take them away.

8. Adam smith Father of Modern Economics
Wrote about a Free Market System, which is the foundation of a Capitalist economy.
Author of the "Wealth of Nations” the first modern book on Economics.
Concept of Invisible Hand

9. Other enlightenment thinkers
Voltaire
Satirical Literature; critiqued the Church.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Social Philosophy:“You are undone if you once forget that the fruits of the earth belong to us all, and the earth itself to nobody.”
Immanuel Kant
Rationalism and Philosophy
Montesquieu
Separation of Powers in Government

10. THE AMERICAN ENLIGHTENMENT
The people of America had new expectations of their government.
The people of America were no longer happy with the conditions of English colonial rule.
The King of England represented old, obsolete political ideas; their remaining days were numbered in the West.

11. John locke’s influence on politicians
Thomas Jefferson is quoted as saying: “I consider [Bacon, Locke and Newton] as the three greatest men that have ever lived, without any exception, and as having laid the foundation of those superstructures which have been raised in the Physical and Moral sciences“

12. THE FOUNDING FATHERS
Prior to the Revolution, the founding fathers of the United States of America were leading political theorists and thinkers.
They knew that there would be a revolution against England.
They knew they would have an opportunity to create a government from scratch.

13. Thomas jefferson Author of the Declaration of Independence
Born in Virginia in 1743
Died on July 4th, 1826

14. James madison Known as “Father of the Constitution” Born in 1751
Died June 28, 1836
Pivotal contributor to the Bill of Rights

15. John adams Innovative thinker in the Enlightenment Born 1735 Died 1826
Known as an rugged outdoorsman
Significantly contributed to efforts to gain independence from England

16. Alexander hamilton
Known for his contributions to the nation’s financial system
Born 1757, died 1804
Responsible for establishing the first U.S. central bank.
Strong federalist; disagreed with many fellow founding fathers including Jefferson and Madison.

17. Benjamin franklin
This man did everything! Science, politics, diplomat, inventor, Benjamin Franklin was involved in many different trades.
Ambassador to France.
Contributed to the Enlightenment both politically and scientifically.
Invented Bifocals (glasses)
The Lightning Rod
Furthered understanding of Electricity
Born 1706, died 1790.

18. Summary paragraph
How were the Founding Fathers influenced by Enlightenment thinkers, and what new ideas emerged about the Government?