How Did The Enlightenment Lead To The Rise Of The American Revolution

Enlightenment thinking throughout the 17th and 18th century in Europe and the Americas led to many people searching for independence from their governments, policies, and societal norms. These beliefs were strongly influenced by the thinking of John Locke. Locke believed if people were unsatisfied with their leadership they had the right to make a change by coming together to support a fight for a common goal. This was popular in the time period due to the controversy in the monarchy system to the common people. Due to a want for more representation and less discrimination. The American Revolution, French Revolution, and the Latin American Revolutions were very similar in the fact the people were in search of governmental freedom, but were also very different in the process of how the independence was eventually gained. …show more content…
The lead up to the eventual revolt by the colonists was caused by the “radical” imperialist actions of Great Brittan. The British government became too strict on the economics in the colonies, forcing the stamp acts, and only allowing the colonies to trade with them. The economic problems in the Colonies were some of the greatest factors during the rise of the American Revolution due to the colonist want to be represented in parliament, but were unable due to the inability to hold office in England. During this time in American history is when the phrase “ no taxation, without representation” was coined. The want for economic freedom was a leading factor for Americas eventual declaration of independence, but definitely not the only factor. Along with the economics in the Colonies taking a turn for the worst in the eyes of the colonists, the people living here began to be treated disrespectfully by the British soldiers living