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The Enlightenment (capital E) happened in Europe in the 1600s. People began to have different feelings about things, to think differently about a lot of things. As it had to do with government, the important new idea was that government belongs to the people, not vice versa.
In all the time before that, people believed that the king basically owned the country. The king was picked by God, so to oppose the king was to oppose God. The king and his friends had the right to impose taxes, make laws, decide what was what, and the people's job was just to go along with this.
But in the Enlightenment a new idea came about. The idea was that all men are born free. They give up a little of their freedom to create a government which provides social order. The government exists to serve the people, not vice versa, and when governments no longer serve peoples' needs, the people have a right and a DUTY to change those governments, or to get rid of them and create a new government.
This is the idea expressed in the Declaration of Independence, starting with 'We hold these truths to be self-evident'. Thomas Jefferson was not telling King George something new, this was the prevailing view in England too!
The Constitution says this too, but not so loudly. The preamble of the Constitution explains the six purposes of government--in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, etc. etc. And it begins 'We the People of the United States', meaning that the Constitution was put in place not just by the delegates to the convention or the people who run the government but by ALL the people of the US, it belongs to us and we can change it or abolish it if we want, if it no longer serves our purpose.
Government is US, it is an expression of the will of the people, not something imposed on the people by the government.
What else can I help you with?
What main belief is shared by the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution?
The main belief shared by the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution is government by the people and for the people. This belief is the basis of the American government.
How are the US Constitution and the Declaration of Independence similar?
The Declaration of Independence was exactly as it sounds, and the Constitution was crafted, in large part, around trying to solve the problems of government that the Declaration complained of.
What statement accurately describes a difference between the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution?
The US Constitution established rules for the US government, well the Declaration of Independence did not
Where does the declaration of independence say governments get their power?
The government gets its power to govern as enumerated in the declaration of independence from the constitution.
How did enlightenment influence the government?
the three philosophers Locke, voltair, and montesque influences Franklin, Jefferson, Madison and admas. they made our government. without their ideas we would not have the Bill of Rights, constitution, or Declaration of Independence.
Which of these was most inspired by the ideas of the Enlightenment?
The American Revolution was most inspired by the ideas of the Enlightenment, such as individual liberty, natural rights, and the role of government to protect these rights. The revolution aimed to establish a government based on these principles, as reflected in documents like the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
What was first written frame of government that became the forerunner of state constitution and us constitution?
The Declaration of Independence
What main belief is shared by the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution?
The main belief shared by the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution is government by the people and for the people. This belief is the basis of the American government.
What is a similarity of the Constitution and the declaration of independence?
The Declaration declares that the colonies are independent from the king. The constitution is the framework of government.
How are the US Constitution and the Declaration of Independence similar?
The Declaration of Independence was exactly as it sounds, and the Constitution was crafted, in large part, around trying to solve the problems of government that the Declaration complained of.
What statement accurately describes a difference between the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution?
The US Constitution established rules for the US government, well the Declaration of Independence did not
What important documents reflects the influence of enlightenment ideas?
The Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution reflect the influence of Enlightenment ideas. These documents emphasize individual rights, the importance of reason and logic, and the concept of government by consent of the governed. Additionally, the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen also demonstrates the influence of Enlightenment ideals on political thought.
What enlightenment ideal was part of the declaration of independence?
Government should exist with the consent of the people.
What event was most inspired by the ideas of the enlightenment?
The American Revolution was most inspired by the ideas of the Enlightenment. The movement emphasized concepts such as individual rights, liberty, and representative government, which influenced the American colonists in their quest for independence from British rule. The Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution reflect these Enlightenment ideals.
What two important US documents would reflect ideas from the enlightenment?
The Declaration of independence, because one enlightenment idea was that people have the right to overthrow their government if it doesn't meet the people's natural rights. Second would be the Constitution because it supported natural rights, freedom of speech, and a government with checks and balances.
Where does the declaration of independence say governments get their power?
The government gets its power to govern as enumerated in the declaration of independence from the constitution.
How did enlightenment influence the government?
the three philosophers Locke, voltair, and montesque influences Franklin, Jefferson, Madison and admas. they made our government. without their ideas we would not have the Bill of Rights, constitution, or Declaration of Independence.
