How did the Age of Enlightenment affect the American colonists?

Answer 1

1. john Locke - His writings became the basis for the Declaration of Independence-He wrote about the natural rights of Life Liberty and Property. He also wrote that government was created by consent of the governed in order to protect these natural rights. If the government did not protect these rights he said that people had the right to rebel and dissolve the government. This was the philosophical justification of the American Revolution.

2. Voltaire - His writings became the basis of the 1s tAmendment and Freedom of Speech- Voltaire once wrote: "I may disagree with what you say, but I will defend till death your right to say it." This famous quote was widely read and believed.

3. Baron de Montesqueau - His writings became the framework of the much of the Constitution.-He wrote about a Separation of powers and checks and balances that would divide government into three branches in order to prevent one branch of government from getting too powerful.

4. Machiavelli (The Prince) and Hobbes (Leviathan) both endorsed a strong government and in part formed the basis of federalism.