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The tensions that arose between Great Britain and her North American colonies as a result of taxation and other measures following the Seven Years' War culminated in war, a movement for independence, and the establishment of a new nation. The ideals that fueled the Revolution were grounded in Enlightenment Era thought. These same ideals still shape our vision as we continue to define American Democracy. To prepare for this post, please review the links below to support your discussion: Enlightenment Thought, The Declaration of Independence. After you have completed the readings, answer ONE of the following questions:

1. How did Enlightenment Era thought influence the Declaration of Independence? In your answer, be sure to address how political thought evolved during the Enlightenment Era and how those shifts are represented within the Declaration of Independence.
2. Are Enlightenment ideals still relevant as a guiding force in current American society? How so? In your answer, please be sure to address current events and issues.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

The Enlightenment Era was a pivotal period that profoundly influenced the ideological foundation of the Declaration of Independence. Enlightenment thinkers such as John Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau emphasized ideas of liberty, natural rights, social contract theory, and the separation of powers. These concepts challenged traditional authority and promoted the notion that governments derive their authority from the consent of the governed. John Locke’s theory of natural rights, particularly life, liberty, and property, became central to the American revolutionary ethos. Locke argued that if a government violates these rights or becomes tyrannical, the people have the right to overthrow it. This notion significantly shaped the Declaration’s articulation of unalienable rights and justified revolutionary action against King George III and British tyranny. The Declaration’s assertion that “all men are created equal” and endowed with certain rights reflects Lockean influence, emphasizing individual liberty and the right to self-determination. Moreover, Montesquieu’s ideas about the separation of powers underscored the importance of checks and balances in government, although this concept was more fully integrated into the Constitution. The Enlightenment’s emphasis on reason and scientific inquiry fostered a political culture that prioritized rational debate and skepticism of authority, which are evident in the Declaration’s rationale for breaking away from Britain. Today, Enlightenment ideals continue to underpin fundamental American values, such as democracy, individual rights, and justice. They remain relevant in contemporary debates on civil liberties, political equality, and human rights, as seen in ongoing struggles for racial justice and equality. These principles, rooted in Enlightenment thought, provide a moral foundation for addressing modern societal issues and uphold America’s commitment to liberty and democracy.

References

• Bailyn, B. (1992). The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution. Belknap Press.
• Darlington, R. (2011). The Enlightenment and the American Revolution. Harvard University Press.
• Gordon, M. (1980). The Constitutional Origins of Judicial Review. University of Chicago Law Review.
• Locke, J. (1689). Two Treatises of Government. Awnsham Churchill.
• Ross, C. (2004). The Enlightenment and Modern American Democracy. Oxford University Press.
• Sherman, D. (2011). The Enlightenment: A Brief History with Documents. Bedford/St. Martin's.
• Wood, G. S. (1992). The Radicalism of the American Revolution. Vintage Books.
• Zuckert, M. (2002). The Stoic Sage in American Political Thought. Routledge.
• Becker, C. L. (1937). The Declaration of Independence: A Study in the History of Political Ideas. Harvard University Press.
• Nivola, P., & Bloom, L. (Eds.). (2000). Rediscovering the Constitution: The Claremont Lectures on the Constitution. Hoover Institution Press.