Enlightenment Essay

Nikhai Hill-Green
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How did the founding fathers of the United States create it's Government and laws? I

argue that the United States adopted current Political ideas from the beliefs of Enlightenment

Philosophes. Philosophes like John Locke, Montequise, Rousseau and More had political views

that were used in making the United states as we know it today. Enlightenment Philosophes had

a variety of political views, and America's founding Fathers adopted them in making the

constitution, Declaration of independence, and more. These are some ways America's founding

Fathers were influenced by the beliefs of Enlightenment Philosophes.

First, Thomas Jefferson was influenced by John Locke in writing "The Declaration of

Independence". Jefferson used the same approach in writing "The Declaration of Independence"

as Locke used in writing the "Second treaties Of Civil Government". In his writing, Locke

introduces the "State Of Nature", that is based off morals, reason, justice, and the idea of natural

rights that all men are born with. Locke states, "Government is created to protect property and

rights but in order to enter into this civil society men must consent to the majority and give up

some of their freedoms". He is saying to have a true and fair government citizens have to give up

some of their freedoms. This aproach is the same exact method used by Jefferson creating "The

Declaration Of Independence". In "The Declaration Of Independence" Jefferson writes, "To

secure these rights, Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the

consent of the governed". This displays the main components of Lock's social contract. The two

statements are identical. That is how Thomas Jefferson was influenced by John Locke in writing

"The Declaration Of Independence".

 Also, Samuel Adams was influenced by John Locke in writing "The Rights of The

Colonists". In his writing, Adams displays the needs and the rights of the Colonists and their

motivations to break away from britain. Adam delclares, "Among the natural rights of the

colonists are these, First a right to life, Second to liberty, third to property, together with the right

to support and defend them in the best manner they can". This strongly supports Locke's belief

that men are born with certain natural rights that must be preserved. Locke explains that

everyone has natural rights to their, "lives, liberties and possessions". This quotes is explaining

the natural rights Locke believed every person should have, and Adams agreed with it so he

made it law in "The Rights of the Colonists". Also, these quotes are the same exact kind of rights

people have in "The United States" today. This is how Samuel Adams was influenced by John

Locke in writing "The Rights of The Colonists".

Finally, All the Enlightenment Philosophers tremendously impacted the views and ideals

of the founding fathers. John Locke's ideals surrounding the presence and protection of certain

unalienable rights is strongly displayed in all three of the founding documents. Also, the idea that

people can gain back their rights if a government violates them aided in the reasoning behind the

colonies separation from England. Rousseau's belief that governing body needs the consent of

the general public was beneficial in helping justify the colonies separation from the mother

country, as well as aided in the establishment of the new American Government. Montesquieu's

ideal of separation of power wasn't explicitly, stated this ideal helped shape American political

society as demonstrated through it's presence in the Constitution. All three of the Philosophers

expressed their beliefs that men have certain rights they are born with and need to be protected

by the governing body. Overall, the views of the Enlightenment Philosophers tremendous in

helping America and justifying the break away from the mother country.
 In conclusion, I argue that the United States adopted current Political ideas from the

beliefs of Enlightenment Philosophes. If the founding fathers were not so influenced by

Enlightenment Philosophes we may not have as many rights as we have today. What if the

United states never got the idea to separate it's government from Montesquieu. If they did not,

we may not have three branches of government today. The United States would not be the same

if it's founding fathers were not so influenced by Enlightenment Philosophers. That is why, I

argue that the United States adopted current Political ideas from the beliefs of Enlightenment

Philosophes.