Which statement best identifies the impact of the Enlightenment on the American Revolution?(1 point)
Responses
Rousseau’s creation of social contract theory influenced American ideas on government.
Rousseau’s creation of social contract theory influenced American ideas on government.
Thomas Jefferson’s idea that governments should not violate the natural rights of people was used to criticize the British.
Thomas Jefferson’s idea that governments should not violate the natural rights of people was used to criticize the British.
Ideas such as democracy, natural rights, and fair government inspired colonists to revolt against the British.
Ideas such as democracy, natural rights, and fair government inspired colonists to revolt against the British.
The social contract belief that the government should have total power motivated the colonists to rebel.
Ideas such as democracy, natural rights, and fair government inspired colonists to revolt against the British.
The statement that best identifies the impact of the Enlightenment on the American Revolution is: "Ideas such as democracy, natural rights, and fair government inspired colonists to revolt against the British."
The statement that best identifies the impact of the Enlightenment on the American Revolution is: "Ideas such as democracy, natural rights, and fair government inspired colonists to revolt against the British." This statement captures the influence of Enlightenment thinkers on the American Revolution.
To arrive at this answer, you can break down the statement options and identify the one that aligns most closely with the principles and ideas championed during the Enlightenment. The Enlightenment period was characterized by a focus on reason, natural rights, and the belief in fair and just government. It emphasized the importance of individual liberty and challenged the notion of absolute monarchy.
Rousseau's social contract theory is mentioned in two of the options, but it's important to note that his theory called for a contractual agreement between the government and the governed, rather than advocating for total power. This aligns more with the concept of limiting government power, which is reflected in Jefferson's idea about governments not violating natural rights.
The third option captures the broader influence of Enlightenment ideas on the American Revolution. Concepts like democracy, natural rights, and fair government were instrumental in inspiring and motivating colonists to revolt against the British.