Tyler Marmo

Enlightenment Philosophers

Have you ever wondered how America adopted the ideas included in the constitution and The

Declaration of Independence? During the enlightenment period people such as John Locke,

Voltaire, and Montesquieu came up with ideas of a better society. Their ideas may have been

different but they all had one goal in mind and that was to create a better society. John Locke

was an English Philosopher and physician widely regarded as one of the most influential

Enlightenment thinkers who is considered the Father of Liberalism. Voltaire was a French

philosopher known for his advocacy of freedom of religion, freedom of speech and separation of

church and state. Montesquieu was a political philosopher famous for the articulation of the

theory of separation of powers implemented in many constitutions that are used today. I argue

that the United States adopted the ideas of the Enlightenment philosophers; including the works

of John Locke, Voltaire, and Montesquieu. I will prove this by explaining how John Locke,

Voltaire, and Montesquieu were very influential writers during the Enlightenment period and

how their ideas are still used today.

John Locke was one of the early influential writers in the Enlightenment period and many of

his ideas were adopted and used in the United Sates Constitution. Crf-usa.org states, “The first

idea John Locke used that the United States adopted in the Declaration of Independence was that

“All men are created equal” which were the basis of Jefferson’s ideas”. Next, the second idea

that John Locke thought of that is used in the constitution can be found in the 9th amendment

which talks about how the rights are retained by the people. Furthermore, the next philosopher

that influenced the ideas used in America was Voltaire. History.com states, “Voltaire had a huge

influence on the American Revolution which helped to free America from Great Britain during
the late 1700’s.” Additionally, Gettysburg.edu states, “Voltaire had a great influence on the

French Revolution and would be one of the people to rise to power after the French Revolution”.

Lastly, the writer that was one of the most influential writers during the Enlightenment Period

was Montesquieu. Rjgeib.com states, “Montesquieu believed in the separation of powers because

he thought that if these powers were united that it would lead to despotism”. Montesquieu was a

very influential person for Thomas Jefferson who wrote the United States Declaration of

Independence.

In conclusion, John Locke, Voltaire, and Montesquieu were very influential writers during the

Enlightenment period and they influenced many ideas that are still used today. Locke, Voltaire,

and Montesquieu were very influential in their own rights and all three were very important

writers in their own respects. Without influential writers such as these men and many other

people some of the ideas that were adopted by the United States into the Constitution and the

Declaration of Independence may have been different or changed.