The Enlightenment, philosophers theories and ideas influenced changes in government and religious beliefs. The importance of these philosophers and thinkers challenge society to view the world in a most positive direction. They gave many hope for a free and prosperous society. John Locke’s “social contract” and “natural rights” were ideas that inspired are government and the freedoms as Americans we are afforded Baron de Montesquieu backed John Locke’s and also brought in ideas of a division between church and state. Lastly, the last thinker i picked was Benjamin Franklin. He had profound influence on the formation of the new government of the United States. John Locke was an English political theorist who focused on the structure of governments.
