The Enlightenment and it’s influence on the American

Revolution and the formation of the US

Government

What have you all done for US?

Enlightenment

Aka: Age of ReasonIntellectual movement that led to reform in the

1700sPeriod of questioning & use of reason

2 Views on Governing

Old Idea New Idea

A monarch’s rule is justified by divine right

A government’s power comes from the consent of the governed

Philosophes

Thinkers who applied reason to life & science5 core concepts…

Reason NatureHappinessProgressLiberty

5 Concepts of Philosophes

ReasonTruth through reason & logic

NatureWhat was natural was also good & reasonable

HappinessShould be happy on earth

ProgressSociety & humans could improve

LibertyWanted liberties/rights

(example: Glorious Revolution & Bill of Rights)

Who? John Locke

How does he influence US?

Major work where his ideas are found: Two Treatises of Government

Who? Montesquieu

How does he influence US?

Major work where his ideas are found: Spirit of the Laws

Who? Cesare Bonesana Beccaria

How does he influence US?

Major work where his ideas are found: On Crimes and Punishments

Who? Thomas Hobbes

How does he influence US?

“If men were angels, no government would be necessary”

-James Madison

Major work where his ideas are found: Leviathan

Who? Voltaire

How does he influence US?

Major work where his ideas are found: Candide

“I disagree with every word you say, but will defend to the death your right to say it.”

Who? Jean Jacques Rousseau

How does he influence US?

Major work where his ideas are found: The Social Contract

Who? Mary Wollstonecraft

How does she influence US?

Major work where his ideas are found: A Vindication of the Rights of Women

Major Ideas of the Enlightenment (see p.198)

Idea Thinker Impact

Natural rights Locke Used in U.S. Declaration of Independence

Separation of powers

Montesquieu France, U.S. & Latin American nations use in constitutions

Freedom of thought & expression

Voltaire Guaranteed in U.S. Bill of Rights & French Declaration of Rights of Man; European monarchs reduce censorship

No use of torture Beccaria Guaranteed in U.S. Bill of Rights; reduced in several European countries

Religious freedom

Voltaire Guaranteed in U.S. Bill of Rights & French Declaration of Rights of Man

Women’s equality

Wollstonecraft Women’s rights groups form in U.S. & Europe

Women & the Enlightenment

While philosophes were open to new ideas, they tended to have a traditional view towards women

Women were taught to be good wives & mothers

*Women helped spread the Enlightenment through salons

Legacy of the Enlightenment

Challenged old theories of divine rights, union between church & state & unequal social classes

Major 3 ideas/impactBelief in progressSecular/ non-religiousImportance of the individual

Their ability to problem solve• To use REASON!

The Enlightenment Leads to an Era of Revolutions

The American Revolution

Revolution

What is a revolution?A sudden & complete changeAn overthrow & thorough replacement of an

established government

Why do they occur?People are frustrated Lack of government concernSeveral other reasons…

Ideological Causes – American Revolution

Enlightenment Questioned government controlInfluential philosophes

Glorious RevolutionGovernment responsible to peopleControlled by constitution

Ideology cont… Independent-thinking

Divided by an ocean from Britain Lived in colonies 150 years

Salutary Neglect

No taxation without representation

French & Indian War (1754) Between Britain & France Colonial unity Experience fighting No rewards Proclamation of 1763

Can’t move west of Appalachian Mts.

Economic Causes

Navigation Act 1651Colonists could only sell products to Britain

French & Indian War Debt

Stamp ActRepressive taxRequired government stamp on all documents

Economy cont..

Tea Tax 1773Colonial tea businesses lose money

Boston Tea PartyDump shiploads of

tea into harbor

Tensions Rise

First Continental CongressRepresentatives from 13 colonies meet in 1774Send complaints to King George III

Second Continental CongressNo response from King George

Revolution Begins1st shots fired at Lexington &

ConcordBecomes a global war

involving France, Spain & the Dutch

Key Events

Declaration of IndependenceWritten by Thomas Jefferson Inspired by John Locke

General George WashingtonBrilliant strategist*Goal = Make the war as

expensive as possible

Victory at Yorktown, Virginia

Why did America win?

American Advantages Home terrain Fighting for a cause Strong military leadership French support!!!

Overcame weaknesses including Small, untrained military Shortage of resources Weak central government

Governing Documents

Articles of Confederation 1781 *1st governing document of U.S.

Weaknesses No power to tax No power to raise an army No court system No executive figure

Constitution 1791 Written by James Madison

“Father of the Constitution”

Montesquieu, Locke, Rousseau’s ideas used

Checks & balances3 branchesGovernment by consent of the

PEOPLE! “We the people…”

Bill of Rights!

How was this a global war?

British overextendedWorried about unrest in Ireland & food riots in London

International alliesFrance, Spain & Netherlands gave financial & military

supportResults

French debt; Dutch navy destroyed; British look for other colonies; Disputes w/ Spain over Florida

Now what???

Shot heard ‘round the world.

Revolutions in over countries will arise based on the same principles as ours

Democracy is an idea you can’t keep down!

The shot heard ‘round the world bring about a triangle of democratic revolutions