How the United States Adopted the Ideals of the Enlightenment Philosophes

Matthew Zavolta

How did the United States adopt the ideals of the Enlightenment philosophes? I argue that the

United States adopted ideals of the Enlightenment through the philosophes. People have other

opinions on if the United States adopted the ideals of the Enlightenment philosophes. Thomas Jefferson

took the thoughts from John Locke while he wrote the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration of

Independence is one of the most known documents in the world. It separated the 13 original colonies

from Great Britain. John Locke once said. “No man’s knowledge here can go beyond his experience.” The

United States adopted ideals from John Locke, Montesquieu, and Jean-Jacques Rosseau.

John Locke was one of the most influential Enlightenment philosophers. As stated on

Stanford.edu, he developed political philosophy. That is the reason Thomas Jefferson used his ideas to

create the Declaration of Independence. He founded the United States government as well. He was also

known for the separation of powers idea. The last thing that Locke was known for was the development

of modern executive and legislative power. That is how John Locke’s ideas were used for America. The

next person is Montesquieu. As stated on Seattlepi.com, He mostly influenced the Founding Fathers

when they were writing the Constitution. He also was involved with the separation of powers like John

Locke was. The Montesquieu’s theory of separation of powers was influential to James Madison when

he was writing the Constitution. He also influenced that America should separate their government into

three sections, which is today the executive, legislative, and judiciary. The last philosopher is Jean-

Jacques Rosseau. He influenced both the American and French Revolutionaries. Rosseau had a theory

which stated the outlines for the legitimate government. That theory was known as the social contract

theory. The central foundations of democratic government were shaped by Rosseau.

 My argument was that the United States adopted ideals of the Enlightenment through the

philosophers. Imagine if those three philosophers did not give America any ideas. What would our

country look like, run by, and would the people be free and have rights? In my opinion John Locke was

the most important philosopher in history. His ideas were so brilliant, and he created most of the

Declaration of Independence. I am not saying the other two did not do anything, but John Locke just was

the most important in my opinion. There are more philosophers that were brilliant like Isaac Newton, he

invented the telescope and he discovered the law of gravitation. In conclusion philosophers influenced

everyone in the world during the time they were alive and some of the greatest ones contributed greatly

to the United States.