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Q: Which enlightenment ideas had an important effect on American government?
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How do the ideas of enlightenment thinkers effect government today?

They helped create the laws and constituionwe have today in the United States.


What effect did the Great Awakening and the Enlightenment have on the colonist view of government?

It affected the way people viewed their political rights and their governments.


What year did the American government begin?

The U.S. Constitution was written in 1787. It went into effect, establishing the current U.S. government, on March 4, 1789.


How did the government of the united state reflect enlightenment ideas?

The constitution of US drew on many enlightment ideas. From Montesquieu, it put in effect the separation of powers into three branches of government. Therefore, each braches had their own power and abusing of power got prevented.


How did the enlightenment influence the American political thought?

The American Enlightenment is a term sometimes employed to describe the intellectual culture of the British North American colonies and the early United States (as they became known following the American Revolution). It was a part of a larger intellectual movement known as the Age of Enlightenment. The American Enlightenment began during the 1690s but didn't become fully realized until the 1730s. The origins of the American Enlightenment are predominantly European. However Puritan culture also contributed to the prominence of the Enlightenment in America. Small Puritan religious colleges were one of the few places where philosophy was discussed prior to the Enlightenment. During the American Enlightenment these colleges rapidly expanded and became the breeding grounds for the Enlightenment thinkers. Throughout the colonies "Enlightened" individuals focused on classical writings for inspiration. The American Enlightenment was categorized not only by knowledge of classical writings but also an atmosphere where people craved new knowledge and wisdom. It was that craving that inspired people to make new developments in science, religion, and politics. There was a large emphasis during the Enlightenment for new scientific developments. One of the easiest ways America participated in the scientific community was by exploring the colonies. During expeditions through unknown territories explorers kept very detailed journals noting any discovery of new plant or animal life. Dr. Michael Sarrazin was an example of an explorer whose scientific journals largely contributed to the scientific community. Dr. Sarrazin took expeditions to document any plant or animal life previously unknown in Europe. He then sent his journals and plant specimens to Europe where they were studied at Oxford University and The Academy of Sciences. The largest contribution to scientific community came from Benjamin Franklin's works on electricity. Franklin was convinced that new scientific discoveries like electricity should be put to use for the improvement of human life. Although the Enlightenment's effect on religion is often overlooked, it was evident in America. John Wise, a Puritan clergyman, supported Plutarch's claim that "to follow God and obey Reason is the same thing." Wise began to preach these ideals and immediately received praise from some of the best known enlightened thinkers. Wise's "religion of reason" became very popular especially in the Calvinist and Anglican congregations in the colonies but found serious opposition when received by more orthodox communities. Wise's "religion of reason" has a left a lasting mark on the predominant Christian denominations today. Probably the most influential aspects of the American Enlightenment were political developments. It is without doubt that the ideas of the American Enlightenment led to America's independence and the principles of the Government America has today. Through enlightenment ideals people began to think that a ruler had to be held to higher laws. American political minds like Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, John Adams, Samuel Adams, and James Madison were able to take the ideas of John Locke, David Hume, and Adam Smith to create a government whose power was obtained from the people. The founding fathers were able to create a checks and balances system that held rulers to higher laws. They also sought to create a government that would protect the natural rights of man. Today, this is exemplified in the Bill of Rights.

Related questions

How did the enlightenment effect the colonies?

Because


What effect did the magna carta have on the development of American democratic ideals?

No effect. The real effect came from the enlightenment thinking like the philosophy of John Locke.


Which was the most significant effect of the European Enlightenment period?

It provided the intellectual spark for the American and French Revolutions.


What is the most significant effect of the European enlightenment period?

it provided the intellectual spark for the american and french revolution


Which was the most significant effect on the European enlightenment period?

It provided the intellectual spark for the American and French Revolutions


How do the ideas of enlightenment thinkers effect government today?

They helped create the laws and constituionwe have today in the United States.


What effect did the Great Awakening and the Enlightenment have on the colonist view of government?

It affected the way people viewed their political rights and their governments.


Which event may have had the largest effect on political thinkers of the Enlightenment?

The Scientific Revolution is often considered one of the events that had the largest effect on political thinkers of the Enlightenment. It gave rise to new ways of thinking about the world based on reason, observation, and the application of scientific methods, which influenced Enlightenment ideas about government, society, and individual rights.


What effect did the American government have on the Holocaust and how did America contribute?

The American government had no direct effect on the Holocaust. Obviously, the defeat of Nazi Germany by the Allies ended the genocide. I wonder if you are mistakenly equating the Holocaust with World War 2.


When did the first American national government more a league of states than a real government go into effect?

1781


What was in effect of the Age of Reason in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries?

After The Enlightenment or Age of Reason A revolutionary era came which contributed to the French, Haitian, and American Revolutions


What was the main effect of the US government's deception about its policies and military conduct in Vietnam?

The American people no longer trusted the government.