How did the Enlightenment impact people’s opinions at the time of the American Revolution?
The enlightenment period or age of reason was an intellectual movement in the late 17th century in Europe that emphasized reason and science. During this period, political, scientific, social, and philosophical ideas flourished and continued to spread through England. In a world dominated by monarchies, democracy and self-governance were not an option. But scientists like Isaac Newton and writer John Locke began challenging the old ways of life and started spreading new ideas about honesty, investigation, and religious tolerance. They challenged old hierarchical structures and leadership by stressing that a good society is developed through rational thinking. In his law of gravity and motion, Isaac Newton portrayed the world to be under the influence of natural laws rather than spiritual forces.
American intellectuals also began picking up these ideas. Even religious leaders began compromising and letting go of most of their dogmatic opinions. They started focusing on the similarities between the Anglican and the protestant churches rather than dwelling on their differences. Cotton Mather, an influential Massachusetts minister who openly talked about the existence of witches, supported science and encouraged people to get immunization against smallpox. With time, many ministers in England began doubting and questioning religion.
Enlightenment ideas also transformed political attitudes. John Locke advocated for the displacement of any monarchies that did not prioritize protecting the people’s lives, properties, and liberties. He argued that a government’s power and legitimacy was based on the support it received from the people. He also insisted that it was the government’s responsibility to protect its people rather than oppressing and imposing powers, as seen in the old monarchies. Therefore, people had the right to overthrow any government that they did not view as legitimate and which they did not agree to its rules.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau asserted that a society is best governed through the general will. This meant that people would have to give up some of their rights and submit to the government. However, they would still have the power to influence the actions of the leaders by participating in elections.
Baron De Montesquieu strongly opposed any government that gives more power to one individual or a group of people. He stated that power should be equally distributed among the three branches of the government. By doing so, Baron believed that the separation of powers would help maintain a balance. American intellectuals began absorbing this idea and would later employ it to develop the three independent branches, legislative, executive, and judicial. The current United States Constitution is a direct reflection of enlightenment principles.
Enlightenment ideas ushered in a completely new way of life, which replaced the old leadership dominated by absolute authority and submission. The public did not have to tolerate despair, and leaders could no longer impose power and authority on the people.
Sergeev, Mikhail. “The Enlightenment Project: Reflections on the National Identity of US Americans.” In Russian Philosophy in the Twenty-First Century, pp. 358-367. Brill Rodopi, 2020.
de Azevedo, João, and Dias Duarte. “Enlightenment and Religion.” História da Historiografia: International Journal of Theory and History of Historiography 13, no. 32 (2020): 83-114.
McIntosh, Carey. “The Enlightenment.” In Semantics and Cultural Change in the British Enlightenment: New Words and Old, pp. 68-98. Brill, 2020.
