Hannah McCarthy

3/05/15
Someone once said, Enlightenment is not a change into something better or more, but a
simple recognition of who we truly already are. John Locke, Baron de Montesquieu, and Jean
Jacques Rousseau all had beliefs that influenced the United States. John Locke believed that all
men have natural rights. Baron de Montesquieu had the idea for separation of powers in
government. Jean Jacques Rousseau believed that democracy is the most efficient form of
government. All three Enlightenment thinkers made influences on the birth of the United States
and its government.
John Locke influenced the United States by believing in natural rights. Natural rights are
rights that belong to all humans starting at birth. In addition, Locke provided the thorough idea
that if the government did not protect a persons natural right, the people have every right to
overthrow the government. Colonists overthrew the government by refusing to pay taxes. In
conclusion, having natural rights allows the citizens to live as free individuals.
Baron de Montesquieu influenced the government with the separation of powers. When
the 13 colonies won their independence and were becoming the new United States they needed
to begin a government that reflected their ideas. The colonies established the best structure of
government that divided the powers into three branches. Montesquieu believed the best way to
protect liberty and avoid tyranny was by creating the three branches. He also believed that each
branch should serve as a check on the other so no branch could become too powerful. Without
the three branches, the government would be unequal and some parts of the government would
be too powerful.

Rousseau influenced the United States and the government with the idea of general will.
Before the American Revolution, colonists thought they were being forced to having certain
government without their approval. Rousseau was a supporter for democracy because he
believed that even though people had to give up their interests, they would keep their freedom.
Rousseau believed in general will. General will is how good the community is as a whole and
how they should be placed higher than individual interests. As a result Rousseau, America has a
democratic government.
Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau made a huge impact of the United States and its
government. John Locke provided the idea behind natural rights for America. Baron de
Montesquieu created the separation of powers after overthrowing King George and Great
Britain. Jean Jacques Rousseau took people into consideration when having the idea of
democracy for the government. Without these three very important Enlightenment thinkers,
America and its government would be very different.