People had no say as to how they were ruled until The Enlightenment presented them with ideas which led them to better understand their government and fight for change. This movement was led by “enlightened” thinkers, who provided the public with their thoughts on individual freedom and a new ruling that deterred from an imperial government. These revolutionary ideas, which are exemplified in the English Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Federal Constitution, were presented by John Locke, Baron de Montesquieu, and Thomas Paine. This 18th Century movement was considered a new way of thinking, but led to many changes in the way people perceived their government. The first document
…show more content…
People wanted more change, they wanted to separate themselves from the British Empire and a Monarchy system of ruling. Thomas Paine expressed the how the British Empire was not benefiting America in any form when he stated, “we can have no joy , knowing that this government is not sufficiently lasting to ensure any thing which we may bequeath to posterity” (Tusan 77) . To avoid being ruled in such a manner the Declaration of Independence gives power to the people, as can be seen when it states that the government is, “deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed” (Tusan …show more content…
This document included ideas of a unicameral congress, the idea that congressmen had to be chosen by the state, rulings were going to be passed by majority decision, and any changes had to be unanimous (Tusan, Lecture, 09/21/2016). Montesquieu hinted at the fact that giving power to one sole person was an unacceptable idea when he references “a man whom his senses continually inform that he himself is everything and that his subjects are nothing, is naturally lazy, voluptous, and ignorant” (Tusan 98). He states negative things about a king with sole power because he knows that it is not a correct way to rule. This document allowed every state to have a say in the government and by doing this, the government felt it was giving them an equal
People wanted more change, they wanted to separate themselves from the British Empire and a Monarchy system of ruling. Thomas Paine expressed the how the British Empire was not benefiting America in any form when he stated, “we can have no joy , knowing that this government is not sufficiently lasting to ensure any thing which we may bequeath to posterity” (Tusan 77) . To avoid being ruled in such a manner the Declaration of Independence gives power to the people, as can be seen when it states that the government is, “deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed” (Tusan …show more content…
This document included ideas of a unicameral congress, the idea that congressmen had to be chosen by the state, rulings were going to be passed by majority decision, and any changes had to be unanimous (Tusan, Lecture, 09/21/2016). Montesquieu hinted at the fact that giving power to one sole person was an unacceptable idea when he references “a man whom his senses continually inform that he himself is everything and that his subjects are nothing, is naturally lazy, voluptous, and ignorant” (Tusan 98). He states negative things about a king with sole power because he knows that it is not a correct way to rule. This document allowed every state to have a say in the government and by doing this, the government felt it was giving them an equal