What influence of the Enlightenment on the decision to declare independence?

Answer 1

The Enlightenment significantly influenced the American decision to declare independence by promoting ideas of individual rights, democracy, and the social contract. Philosophers like john Locke argued that governments derive their authority from the consent of the governed and that people have the right to revolt against oppressive rule. These concepts inspired American colonists to challenge British authority and assert their own rights, culminating in the Declaration of Independence, which emphasized liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Overall, Enlightenment thought provided the philosophical foundation for a break from colonial rule.