enlightening

The American Enlightenment

The American Enlightenment was a intellectual thriving period. This movement happened during the American Revolution time in the mid-to-late 18^th century. Two of the main ideas are liberalism and republicanism, which the colonists used to fight against tyranny and monarchy. To gain freedom, and be treated equally, the colonists wanted their own rights for overall liberalism.

Some of the main thinkers who participated in this movement were John Locke, Voltaire, Benjamin Franklin,Thomas Paine, and Thomas Jefferson. John Locke, born 1632, was known as the father of liberalism. He was also an English philosopher, and physician. Voltaire, born 1694, was a French enlightenment writer. He was known for his great ideas such as: civil liberties, freedom of religion, freedom of expression, free trade, and separation of church and state. Benjamin Franklin, born 1706, was known for signing the Declaration of Independence, making him one of the Founding Fathers. Before signing he was famous for being an author of his book, Poor Richard's Almanack. Thomas Paine, born 1737, was known for doing an excellent job advocating independence. He did this by writing a pamphlet called Common Sense in 1776. Thomas Jefferson, born 1743, was known for writing the Declaration of Independence, and later becoming the third president of the United States of America. He also was a part of the Continental Congress, and was leader of this movement. 

Kimpsha G.