The Influence of Enlightenment Philosophes on the United States Government

Nick Brungo
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Have you ever wondered how big of a role Enlightenment philosophers had in the

founding of the United States? Enlightenment philosophers were some of the most influential

figures in the creation of the United States government. For example, Montesquieu heavily

influenced the way our government operates with his Separation of Powers theory. This theory

states that the government should be separated into two or more parts to prevent a single, more

powerful government of tyrants to rule. Additionally, John Locke influenced the creation of the

United States with his idea of Natural Rights. In this idea, Locke stated that every man is born

with a set of rights, including freedom of life and freedom of speech. Life in the United States is

very similar to this because it is a free country. These two men definitely had a very big influence

in the making of this country.

In The Spirit of the Laws, Montesquieu described the separation of powers among a

legislative branch, executive branch, and a judicial branch. Montesquieu's primary goal was to

create a form of government that was not focused around a single political power, such as a

monarch. He based his works around the Constitution of the Roman Republic and the British

constitutional system. Montesquieu saw that the Roman Republic had separated powers so that

no one person or party could assume complete power over the republic. In the British

constitutional system, Montesquieu saw that the separation of powers were between the

monarch, Parliament, and the courts. This idea comes up in the Constitution in a multitude of

ways, one being that the executive branch can control the power of the legislative branch with

the veto while the legislative branch can check the executive through impeachment, according to

classroom.synonym.com. This theory took form in the United States in the checks and balances
system. Today, we see Montesquieus Separation of Powers theory all throughout the United

States.

Another influential philosophe is John Locke. He expressed ideas that governments are

morally obliged to serve people, mainly by protecting life, liberty, and property. He explained

that when a government violates individual rights, people will ultimately rebel. Thomas Jefferson

ranked Locke as one of the most important philosophers of liberty. Locke inspired Thomas

Paines ideas of revolution. James Madison drew his most important principles of liberty and

government from Locke. Lockes writings were a major part of Benjamin Franklins self-

education, and John Adams believed that everyone should learn about Lockes ideas. Voltaire

even called Locke the man of the greatest wisdom. What he has not seen clearly, I despair of

ever seeing. Lockes ideas of individual rights are very prominent in the United States, as every

citizen, no matter their gender of ethnicity, are free to do almost everything in this country. This

is seen in the 1st Amendment of the Bill of Rights: Congress shall make no law respecting an

establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of

speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the

Government for a redress of grievances. The United States government also does a great job of

protecting its citizens life, liberty, and property.

These two men and their ideas heavily influenced the creation of the United States and

how it operates. For example, the separation of powers is seen in the government in the checks

and balances system. This system is not only prominent in the government, but is also seen in
many businesses and corporations throughout the states. Also, John Lockes idea of individual

rights is what makes this country what it is. When someone thinks of the United States, they

think of freedom. United States citizens are also granted protection of their Life, Liberty, and

Property, just as John Locke stressed. These and many more ideas influenced the founding

fathers when creating this country. It is safe to say that without these thinkers, this country would

not be what it is today.