The Enlightenment

• 1720-1765 in the colonies• Focused on intellectual movement focused on

inquiry and discovery• Believed that problems could be solved

through reason. • Challenged the old way of thinking of science,

government and religion

John Locke

*Natural Rights*

• ‘Tabula Rosa’- experience =basis for peoples ideas, values, and morals (You are born a blank slate)

• Governments exists to protect the rights of the people.

Baron de Montesquieu

• Separation of powers• Checks and Balances- no part of government

should become more powerful than another.

Ben Franklin

• Wanted to understand everything• Scientist• Enlightenment Ideas• Belief in individualism• Inventor- Bifocals, Franklin Stove, Lighting Rod• Printer: Poor Richards Almanac• Deist- relies on natural reason • Organized first Philadelphia Union Fire company

Impacts of the Enlightenment

• Basis for the American Revolution• Blueprint for the ideas of Democracy

throughout the colonies• Great Awakening attempted to counter the

Enlightenment in order to express a need to return to church.