Lorelai Garrett

Mr.Warwick

World History

12 November 2019

Enlightenment Influencers

The Enlightenment was an 18th-century European movement in which thinkers attempted

to apply the principles of reason and the scientific method to all aspects of society. The

significance of the Enlightenment helped people understand the truths about the world, religion,

and politics. The American Revolution was a major change in European thought, starting in the

mid-1500s, in which the study of the natural world began to be characterized by careful

observation and the questioning of accepted beliefs. The significance of the American

Revolution was the creation of America. The Enlightenment is related to the American

Revolution because of the enlightenment the government protects the people and their rights. It

also helped if the government failed to protect natural rights, people could revolt. Voltaire, John

Locke, and Montesquieu all influenced America's founding documents through their ideas of

natural rights, individual freedoms, and separation of power.

Voltaire influenced the Bill of Rights through his ideas of individual freedoms.

"...respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof". This

statement represents the freedom of religion. " abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press".

This part of the Bill of Rights is saying that you have the freedom of speech and press. "...to be

secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects ...and no Warrants shall issue, but upon

probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be

searched, and the persons or things to be seized". Freedom of property is being shown because
your property shouldn't have to be searched for anything. Voltaire's ideas on individual freedom

was shown in the document Bill of Rights.

John Locke influenced the Declaration of Independence through his ideas of natural

rights. "We hold these truths to be self-evident,... that they are endowed by their Creator with

certain unalienable Rights, that among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the

governed". Natural Rights are being shown here because. "That all men are created equal". What

this is showing is the natural right of liberty. "Has obstructed the Administration of Justice by

refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers". Showing that this is the natural

reasonable rights of people. "That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and

Independent States". What John Locke is showing here is that this is the consent of the governed.

Locke showed natural rights, people naturally reasonable, and the consent of governed in The

Declaration of Independence which also during the Enlightenment.

Montesquieu influenced the U.S. Constitution through his ideas of separation of powers.

" All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States". This

shows the Legislative branch of the separation of powers where they make laws. "The executive

Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his Office

during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same Term."

The separation of power that is being shown here is the executive branch and they enforce the

laws that were created by the legislative branch. "The Vice President of the United States shall

be President of the Senate but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided". This shows

that a Vice President can't vote for other presidents. All Montesquieu had as an idea was the

Separation of Power.
 From the ideas of natural rights, individual freedoms, and separation of powers three men

helped them influence three important documents in America. Voltaire with the idea of

individual freedom helped influence the Bill of Rights. Locke helped influence the Declaration

of Independence with his ideas fo natural rights, people naturally reasonable, and the consents of

governed. The idea of Separation of power came from Montesquieu and had an influence on the

US Constitution.