Influences of Enlightenment Philosophers

Nicole Twichell

Did you know that European Enlightenment philosophers influenced the formation of the

United States Declaration of Independence and the Constitution? Many European Enlightenment

philosophers made the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution what it is today.

Enlightenment Philosophers that influenced the Declaration of Independence believed in the

freedom of religion and press. They also influenced the founding fathers of Natural Rights.

Enlightenment Philosophers that influenced the Constitution believed in capitalism and the

separation of powers in the government. These philosophers had a strong part in the creation of

these important American documents that express the American commandments. Their ideas

shaped the creation of these important documents. These European Enlightenment philosophers

impacted the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

The Declaration of Independence states America would strive to be an independent

country. As read on http://www.history.com, The Declaration of Independence was written by

Thomas Jefferson in Philadelphia on July 4, a date now celebrated as the birth of American

independence. Although Thomas Jefferson was the author of the Declaration of Independence,

Enlightenment philosophers had taken part in the Independence of America. Enlightenment

philosopher like, Voltaire, took a large part in the Declaration of Independence. As read on

http://www.biography.com, Born in 1694, in Paris, France, Voltaire established himself as one of

the leading writers of the Enlightenment. As Voltaire grew up he became very knowledgeable

and wise. Voltaire believed in the freedom of press, religion, and the separation of religion from

state. All of these beliefs are in the Declaration of Independence. Voltaire sparked these ideas to

Thomas Jefferson and he is why America now has these freedoms. The second philosopher, John
Locke, also influenced the Declaration of Independence. As read on

https://www.constitutionfacts.com, John Locke was regarded as one of the most influential of

Enlightenment thinkers, especially concerning the development of political philosophy. John

Locke had many spiritual and political ideas that would be found in the Declaration of

Independence. In the Declaration of Independence, the phrase "life, liberty, and pursuit of

happiness," was an idea first considered by John Locke in his Two Treaties on Government. This

is a major and well known line in the Declaration of Independence. Many European

Enlightenment philosophers influenced the Declaration of Independence and because of their

ideas, we are an independent country.

The Constitution is an American document which summarizes the organization of the

government includes the three branches, Supreme, Executive, and Judicial. The Constitution is a

very important American document that states the structure of Americas government and other

important American practices. In the Constitution, the phrase we the people, was influenced by

Enlightenment philosophers. European Enlightenment philosophers influenced what was put

into the Constitution. The founding fathers were heavily influenced by Thomas Hobbes. As read

on http://www.americassurvivalguide.com, Thomas Hobbes established Americas First

Principles, most notably the recognition of unalienable rights, the Social Compact, and limited

government. The founding fathers took these ideas and used them in the Constitution. Adam

Smith also influenced what went into the Constitution. Adam Smith was a political philosopher

and a political economist. As read on http://www.biography.com, Adam Smith wrote a book

called the Wealth of all Nations which discussed capitalism and mercantilism. These ideas

were expressed in the Constitution. Montesquieu believed in the separation of powers of the

judicial and executive branches. This is what the American government is made of today and
stated in the Constitution. All of these Enlightenment philosophers took part in the creation of the

Constitution.

Enlightenment philosophers contributed to the formation of the Declaration of

Independence and the Constitution. Ideas of these philosophers are still used and expressed in

todays American government and independence. The works and ideas of Voltaire and John

Locke lead to the independence of America which is expressed in the Declaration of

Independence. Thomas Hobbes, Adam Smith, and Montesquieu influenced the Constitution. Our

government is what it is today because of these Enlightenment philosophers. To conclude,

Enlightenment philosophers ideas were used to shape America. Because of their ideas America

is the strongest country in the world. These Enlightenment philosophers took part in American

history.