How Did The Enlightenment Cause The American Revolution

With the conclusion of the French and Indian War, Great Britain now was the strongest and largest nation in the Western hemisphere with multiple colonies spread on the east coast of the Americas. Although they won the war, it did come with a cost; a price that Britain threw onto the American colonists. The ideas enticed by the Enlightenment period, the results of the French and Indian War, and the passage of acts because of the colonists rebellious actions all provoked the American Revolution. During the time of the Enlightenment, a handful of influential scholars and leaders released their views on the world. Many of America’s founding fathers were greatly moved by this period. James I’s Divine Rights of Kings gave the king of England power over his people. This put the king right next to God and anything he says should not be challenged. He received his power from God. The Enlightenment thinkers challenged this philosophy or doctrine to overthrow a king or monarch. They fought for the separation of the church and government. The idea of popular sovereignty which was originated by John Locke influenced Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson but with a change. The founders changed how the European people used popular sovereignty to sacrifice some liberties for protection but rather having the government serve the people. Jean Jacques Rousseau’s social contract stated, “one king cannot make all the decisions for …show more content…
The policy makers did not allow the colonists to have a say in the passage of acts. Popular sovereignty did not exist. America was a nation of slaves made in the best interest of Great Britain. Virtually all of the efforts of the colonists went unnoticed and remained useless as the revolution approached. The ideas from the Enlightenment period insinuated in the minds of the colonists as England pushed a wave of ridiculous Acts and taxes to promote their own