American Enlightenment

The American Enlightenment also known as “Age of reason” was a period of intellectual growth in America in the 18^th century. In Germany, this was known as Aufklaerung. Afuklaerung means clearing way. Since the 1960’s historians have debated the enlightenment’s role in the American Revolution. Some people think that if the enlightenment movement didn’t happen then the American Revolution probably would have never happened. The American Revolution became a blueprint for Democracy in America.

Some “big thinkers” in the Age of Reason were Thomas Paine, Benjamin Franklin, John Locke, and Thomas Jefferson. John Locke was especially important and became known as the Father of Liberalism. Thomas Paine contributed by writing the book called Common Sense. This book argued why the U.S should be independent. Benjamin Franklin was a major figure in the American Enlightenment. He also practiced deism. Deism is the “belief in the existence of a supreme being, specifically of a creator who does not intervene in the universe,” according to the Google homepage.

 

To sum it up in the words of the Declaration of Independence, the Age of Reason was about freedom, right to govern ourselves, and religious tolerance. 

LATARSHA