Enlightenment in United States Legislature sample essay

European thinkers of Enlightenment period have had a significant effect on American politicians of 18th century. Thomas Jefferson is one of the prominent American politicians who followed philosophical views of John Locke. He was succeeded by James Madison, another prominent politician, who is considered one of the fathers of United States Constitution.

Thomas Jefferson’s views of future America are opposite to what America is today. He viewed America as an agricultural state, a huge country with prospering farmers. Under the influence of John Locke, Jefferson believed that every person has certain list of rights despite the government. He was very much concerned about individual’s liberty. A clear trace of Locke’s works can be found in Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence, “we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and pursuit of Happiness…” While Locke’s rights were life, liberty, and estate (Wiki, 2006).

Traces of Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s ideas about freedom and liberty can be found in American Constitution of 1787 and Declaration of Independence. James Madison and other writers of American Constitution were not only influenced by Rousseau’s views on liberty, but by his beliefs in the paramount importance of morality and in the influence on society as well.

Ultimately, the Age of Enlightenment had a significant influence on American politicians, which in turn has positively affected the history of the United States in general.

Bibliography

1. Jean-Jacques Rousseau. (2006). Answers. Retrieved January 24, 2006 from http://www.answers.com/topic/jean-jacques-rousseau

2. Social contract. (2006). The Free Dictionary. Retrieved January 24, 2006 from http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Social%20contract%20theories

3. Wikipedia contributors. (2006). Thomas Jefferson. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved January 24, 2006 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Jefferson

4. Wikipedia contributors (2006). John Locke. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved January 24, 2006 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Locke
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