1. American Enlightenment Thinkers
Late 1600s through 1700s

2. ENlightenment
Shift of thinking in late 17th century and early 18th century
Began in Europe, spread to U.S.
Emphasis on importance of reason/individualism
Denounces sole reliance on tradition and faith
Its purpose was to…
reform society using reason
challenge ideas grounded in tradition (esp. absolute rule)
advance knowledge through the scientific method

3. John Locke Life, liberty and property
Two Treatises of Government (1690)
Representative government is the form that would best serve all constituents
Believed society was based on an agreement of the majority (social contract theory)
Government by consent of the governed

4. Thomas Paine Common Sense (1776) Gov’t is a necessary evil
Argued that colonists should rebel against the Crown
Widely read throughout colonies (500,000+ copies sold)
Gov’t is a necessary evil

5. Benjamin Franklin American thinker, diplomat, and inventor
Traveled between colonies and Europe
Facilitated exchange on ideas across Atlantic
Involved in founding of the country
Declaration of Independence
U.S. Constitution

6. Thomas Jefferson American thinker and politician
Penned Declaration of Independence
Altered Locke’s “life, liberty, and property” to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
Organic constitutionalism
Living documents that transforms over time with progress of humanity

7. James Madison “Father of the Constitution”
The Federalist Papers (with Hamilton & Jay)
Separation of powers (3 branches)
Checks and balances
Gov’t will control itself
Advocated for Bill of Rights

8. John Adams Criticized popular rule or pure democracy Right to attorney
Idea of electoral college
Humans want to increase their personal power and reputation
Right to attorney
Represented British soldiers in connection with Boston Massacre