Words: 549
During the Enlightenment, there were many philosophers who developed various Ideas pertaining to government. Among these philosophers were Locke, Voltaire, and Nonentities. The Ideas and principles of these men have Influenced the American government greatly. The Declaration of Independence is influenced by Locker’s ideas of all citizens having certain rights. The Constitution is influenced by Momentousness’s ideas for a system of checks and balances and separation of powers. The Bill of Rights is influenced by Voltaire ideas of free speech and individual rights.
Ideas of Enlightenment thinkers Locke, Nonentities, and Voltaire have been woven into important American documents such as the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence. Locke believed that all men had certain natural rights. These rights were life, liberty, and property. He believed that a government’s Job Is to protect these rights of the citizens, and If It Is not doing Its Job the people can overthrow It. Thomas Jefferson used these Ideas when writing the Declaration of Independence, which dates that all colleens have the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
It also states that in order to secure these rights, a government must be instituted. If the government becomes destructive, the people can alter or abolish it. Nonentities believed in the separation of powers and a system of checks and balances. This means that the government should be divided into three branches and given equal but different powers. Each branch should be able to limit the power of the other branches, so as not to cause one branch having more power and straying all the other powers.
These ideas are the basis of the American Constitution. The Constitution establishes the Judicial, legislative, and executive branches and describes the duties of each. It also shows how each branch can Limit the powers of the other branches. For example, the legislative branch makes new laws but the executive branch Is permitted to veto a law. The judicial branch can interpret the law, but If the legislative branch Is not content with the way It Is interpreted they can create a new law.
Voltaire was a man who strongly believed in individual rights and the right to free speech. He once said, “l may not agree with a word you say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it! ” This idea is shown in the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights clearly states the rights and liberties of individual citizens. The First Amendment says that the government cannot make any law that will restrict the people’s rights to freedom of religion, freedom of speech or the press, or the freedom of the people to assemble peacefully.
As you can see, Ideas of the Enlightenment thinkers are used In Important documents today such as the Bill of Rights, the Constitution, and the Declaration of Independence. Locke, Nonentities, and Voltaire had a great Influence on these documents. Locker’s belief that all people had certain rights is used in the Declaration balances is used in the Constitution. Voltaire belief of free speech and individual rights is used in the Bill of Rights. All of these ideas are demonstrated in the American government today.