Shana Laguerre

Period 2
3/7/2015
The Power of the Enlightenment
The United States of America, we all know how this country came to be, but where did
our founding fathers get the ideas about our government? Did they just pop into their heads or
get these ideas from those of the past? The Enlightenment thinkers were one of the most
important men to have the biggest influence in the US. The three most important Enlightenment
thinkers are John Locke, Baron de Montesquieu, and Rousseau. John Lockes ideas brought
about the American Revolution with the colonist overthrowing Great Britain. Montesquieu
provided the most important idea to our government with the separation of powers. Finally, the
most important thinker is Rousseau who brought the idea that the community is placed above the
government bringing the idea of a democracy. The three Enlightenment thinker that influenced
the United States are John Locke, Baron de Montesquieu, and Rousseau.
Who knew that the 13 colonies would fight back against great Britain and John Locke
helped with the idea. Locke came up with the idea of natural rights, rights that belong to all
human from birth and if the government defies those rights we have the power to overthrow the
government. Those words helped to shape the Revolutionary War. With forcing to pay taxes, the
Boston Massacre and the Quartering Act the colonist knew they were gonna have to revolt
against of Great Britain in order for their freedom and independence. The idea of natural rights
has shaped the birth of America.
In different countries there are different governments Americas is a democracy due to the
ideas of Montesquieu and the 3 branches. After the Revolutionary War the new United States

needed a new institute of government. With Montesquieu who provide the idea of separation of
power he helped create our government. The main idea of the separation of powers was to find a
way to avoid tyranny and protect liberty. Montesquieu also provided that each branch should
have a check system to make sure the other doesnt get too powerful. If it werent for
Montesquieu and his ideas we still might be in a monarchy.
When someone is running for a position in government people wonder if theyre gonna
do what they say they are. What shaped the American Revolution is the colonist believed that
they were being subject to a government without their consent because of the virtual
representation which did not allow them to vote for Parliament. Rousseau came up with the idea
of general will-the good of the community as a whole should be placed above all individual
interests. The idea of general will of people helped our government.
John Locke, Baron de Montesquieu and Rousseau are the three Enlightenment thinkers
that influenced the Unites States. john Lockes ideas brought about the Revolution. Montesquieu
provided the idea of the separation of powers. Lastly, Rousseau gave the idea of the good will of
the community. The ideas of the Enlightenment thinker brought about the start of the United
States.