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Rachel Gannon

Mr. Warwick

World History

30 November 2018

Influencers of The Enlightenment

The Enlightenment is the new intellectual movement during the 18th century that stressed

reason, thought, and an individual’s problem-solving abilities. It spread new artistic styles in

items such as books, magazines, saloons, and classical music. The significance of the

Enlightenment was the legacy it left behind. The legacy included the notion that human

reasoning could solve social problems, people relying on themselves, and opening questions

about religious beliefs. The American Revolution comes into play with Enlightenment. The

Enlightenment influenced the revolutionary leaders by serving as the the foundation for many of

the ideas behind the fight for independence; and the movement focused on freedom of speech,

equality, and religious tolerance. Some influencers such as John Locke, Voltaire, and

Montesquieu influenced America's founding documents through their ideas of natural rights,

freedoms, and the separation of powers.

John Locke influenced the writers of these documents with his ideas and beliefs, just like

other influencers did at the time. In the Declaration of Independence, it states: “We hold these

truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal…..that among these are life, liberty, and

the pursuit of happiness.” John Locke influenced this part of the document by telling people that

they have the right to be free and equal, and also that people have the right to be happy in their

own country. In the Bill of Rights, it says: “The right of people to be secure in their persons,

houses, papers, and effects…..” His idea in natural rights, mainly property, influenced this part in
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the Bill of Rights. Amendment 2 in the Bill of Rights says: “A well-regulated militia, being

necessary to the security of a free-state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not

be infringed.” Locke’s idea of liberty comes in to play with this part of the Bill of Rights. He’s

saying that people have the right to have guns for self defense.

Voltaire’s ideas were also influences for these documents, including his belief of freedom

of speech and freedom of religion. Amendment 1 in the Bill of Rights says that people have the

right to say what they believe. Voltaire’s belief of freedom of speech influenced this document

because he believed that people had basic freedoms. Amendment 1 also says that people have the

right to be a part of any religion they wanted and not get judged for it. His belief in freedom of

religion influenced this part of the amendment. Freedom of religion was also used in the U.S.

Constitution, Article VI, where it discusses having no religious tests required for law.

Montesquieu had an idea called the separation of powers, which we still use in today's

government. The separation of powers means three main branches of government are separated

into legislative, judicial, and executive. In the U.S. Constitution, Article 1 section 1, it says that

the legislative powers are vested in a Congress of the United States. His idea of branches of

government, mainly legislative, influenced this part of the Constitution. Article 2 section 1, says

that the executive branch will have the President of the United States; again, his idea of the

branches of government, this time executive, influenced this statement. Article 3 section 1, says

that the judicial branch will hold the Supreme Court; again, his idea influenced this.

These three philosophers all influenced America's founding documents with the help of

their beliefs in rights, freedoms, and the separation of powers. This part of history is significant

because we all use these beliefs and ideas today. Kids are now learning about it in history

classes. Even adults are still learning about these ideas and how they affect everyday life. These
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ideas of freedom found in these documents may inspire someone to become a scientist or a

philosopher, or even a U.S. Congressman or Supreme Court Justice.