Essay On The Enlightenment

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The Enlightenment and the American Revolution brought political, social, and cultural changes supported by many thinkers in the 18th Century. Some believed that they could change the world through reason, and could solve any problem. The end of the Scientific Revolution brought the beginning of the Enlightenment. It had changed how people viewed the world. Scientists of the Enlightenment thought that rules discoverable by reason, or Natural Law, could be used to get a better understanding of social, political, and economic problems. This idea helped solve the many problems of society, and could explain aspects of humanity. The Enlightenment thinkers, John Locke, Baron de Montesquieu, and Voltaire all were very important during this time. John …show more content…
At first, he read many books to educate himself on the many governments in the past. So, Baron de Montesquieu equally divided the government into three separate branches called the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. In order for them all to remain equal, he formed the system of checks and balances. Checks and balances can give the other two branches the power to limit one branch’s power. He had created it this way so one branch can’t become too powerful. Baron de Montesquieu had explained this form of government in a book he published called The Spirit of the Laws. He wrote about the many other governments used in the past, why he felt Separation of Powers is the best, and how a government should work. Also, he wrote a book he called Persian Letters, and he criticized French social classes and government. Anyway, Baron de Montesquieu wanted to decrease many problems of society by having a better understanding of the laws of government. He believed that there were three types of government, a republic, a monarchy, and a despotism. He thought that the best way was a government elected by the people. But he said, there needed to be a right balance of power. In conclusion, the Separation of Powers and checks and balances still impact us today because that is what our government in centered

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