Fiveable
Fiveable
Fiveable
Fiveable

🧁English 12

🧁english 12 review

7.2 The American Enlightenment

2 min readLast Updated on July 25, 2024

The American Enlightenment sparked a revolution in thought, emphasizing reason, natural rights, and progress. Thinkers like Franklin, Jefferson, and Paine championed these ideas, shaping the nation's founding principles and documents.

This intellectual movement profoundly influenced American society, politics, and culture. It fostered individualism, civic engagement, and scientific advancement, leaving an indelible mark on the nation's identity and global role.

Key Principles and Thinkers of the American Enlightenment

Principles of American Enlightenment

Top images from around the web for Principles of American Enlightenment
Top images from around the web for Principles of American Enlightenment
  • Reason and rationality emphasized logical thinking and empirical evidence, rejecting superstition and blind faith (scientific method)
  • Natural rights asserted inherent human rights including life, liberty, and property as fundamental (Declaration of Independence)
  • Social contract theory posited government power derived from consent of governed, citizens right to overthrow tyranny (American Revolution)
  • Religious tolerance advocated separation of church and state, freedom of religious practice (First Amendment)
  • Scientific method applied observation and experimentation to understand world (Franklin's electricity experiments)
  • Progress and human perfectibility believed in continuous improvement of society and individuals (public education)

Works of American Enlightenment thinkers

Impact and Influence of the American Enlightenment

Enlightenment's influence on American discourse

Impact on American identity

Key Terms to Review (30)

Abolitionism: Abolitionism is the movement aimed at ending slavery and the slave trade, advocating for the emancipation of enslaved people and promoting their rights. This movement gained significant traction in the 18th and 19th centuries, fueled by Enlightenment ideals of individual liberty, equality, and human rights, which challenged the moral and ethical justifications of slavery.
American Dream: The American Dream is the belief that anyone, regardless of their background, can achieve success and prosperity through hard work and determination. This idea has been deeply rooted in American culture, often representing ideals such as freedom, equality, and opportunity for all. The concept has evolved over time, reflecting the changing social landscape and aspirations of different generations.
American Exceptionalism: American exceptionalism is the idea that the United States is inherently different from other nations, often due to its unique origins, democratic ideals, and historical development. This belief suggests that America has a special mission to promote liberty and democracy globally, which has influenced its literature and political writings throughout history.
American Philosophical Society: The American Philosophical Society, founded in 1743 by Benjamin Franklin, is one of the oldest learned societies in the United States. It was established to promote scientific research and knowledge, reflecting the values of the American Enlightenment, which emphasized reason, empirical evidence, and the pursuit of knowledge for societal improvement.
American Revolution: The American Revolution was a pivotal conflict from 1775 to 1783 in which the thirteen American colonies broke away from British rule, ultimately leading to the establishment of the United States of America. This revolutionary movement was marked by a desire for independence, self-governance, and a series of ideological shifts that emphasized liberty and democracy, connecting deeply with the emerging ideas of Romanticism and Enlightenment thought.
Benjamin Franklin: Benjamin Franklin was a Founding Father of the United States, renowned for his contributions as a statesman, inventor, and philosopher during the 18th century. He played a pivotal role in shaping American thought, emphasizing reason, science, and civic virtue, which are essential components of the American Enlightenment. His writings and ideas laid the groundwork for revolutionary thought and political discourse that fueled the fight for independence.
Bill of Rights: The Bill of Rights is the collective name for the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1791. These amendments were designed to protect individual liberties and limit the power of the federal government, reflecting the Enlightenment ideals of natural rights and social contract theory.
Checks and balances: Checks and balances is a fundamental principle of governance that ensures no single branch of government becomes too powerful by providing each branch the ability to limit the powers of the others. This system is vital for maintaining accountability and preventing tyranny, fostering a balance where the legislative, executive, and judicial branches can oversee and regulate one another's actions. It reflects Enlightenment ideas about the separation of powers and directly influenced the formation of government structures during revolutionary movements.
Civic engagement: Civic engagement refers to the active participation of individuals in the political and community processes that shape their society. This involvement can manifest in various ways, such as voting, volunteering, activism, or participating in community organizations. It emphasizes the importance of citizens taking responsibility for their communities and contributing to democratic practices, which were particularly highlighted during pivotal historical movements.
Civil discourse: Civil discourse refers to the engagement in conversation or debate that is respectful, constructive, and aimed at understanding differing viewpoints. It emphasizes the importance of listening, reasoning, and expressing ideas in a manner that fosters mutual respect, even amidst disagreement. This practice is essential for the functioning of a democratic society, as it encourages collaboration and thoughtful dialogue on critical issues.
Common sense: Common sense refers to the basic ability to perceive, understand, and judge things that are shared by nearly all people. It is the collective reasoning that helps individuals navigate everyday life and make decisions based on practical understanding rather than complex theories. In various historical contexts, particularly during times of social and political upheaval, common sense has been invoked to advocate for rational thought and the pursuit of liberty, resonating deeply with the ideals of reason and democracy.
Declaration of Independence: The Declaration of Independence is a historic document adopted on July 4, 1776, declaring the thirteen American colonies' independence from British rule. It articulated the Enlightenment ideals of individual rights and government by consent, emphasizing the belief that people have the right to overthrow a government that does not protect their rights.
Federalist Papers: The Federalist Papers are a collection of 85 articles and essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay to promote the ratification of the United States Constitution. These writings articulated the principles of government and the necessity of a strong federal authority, reflecting Enlightenment ideas about democracy, liberty, and governance.
Individualism: Individualism is a social and philosophical concept that emphasizes the moral worth of the individual and the importance of personal autonomy and self-reliance. This idea encourages people to think for themselves, value personal freedom, and pursue their own paths in life, often contrasting with collectivist ideologies that prioritize group identity and conformity. The focus on individualism shaped cultural movements and literary expressions across different historical periods, highlighting the significance of personal experience and individuality.
Laissez-faire capitalism: Laissez-faire capitalism is an economic philosophy advocating minimal government intervention in the marketplace, allowing individuals and businesses to operate freely according to their own interests. This system is rooted in the belief that economic prosperity is best achieved when the forces of supply and demand are allowed to function without regulatory constraints. In this context, laissez-faire capitalism supports the idea that free markets can regulate themselves, leading to innovation, efficiency, and overall economic growth.
Meritocracy: Meritocracy is a system of governance or social organization in which individuals are rewarded and advanced based on their abilities, talents, and achievements rather than on their social class, wealth, or other arbitrary factors. This concept emphasizes the importance of education, hard work, and personal merit as the primary means for success and upward mobility within society.
Monroe Doctrine: The Monroe Doctrine was a U.S. foreign policy principle established in 1823, which declared that the Americas should be free from European colonization and interference. It was rooted in the belief that the Western Hemisphere was separate from European politics and asserted that any attempts by European nations to extend their influence in the Americas would be viewed as acts of aggression. This doctrine was significant in shaping U.S. foreign relations and American nationalism during a period marked by the American Enlightenment.
Natural rights: Natural rights are fundamental human rights that are considered to be inherent and universal, not granted by any government or authority. These rights are often seen as life, liberty, and property, which individuals possess simply by being human. The idea of natural rights played a crucial role in the development of political thought during the Enlightenment and served as a foundation for revolutionary ideas about government and individual freedom.
Poor Richard's Almanack: Poor Richard's Almanack is a yearly publication created by Benjamin Franklin that was first published in 1732. It combined practical advice, proverbs, and observations on various aspects of daily life, reflecting the values and ideals of the American Enlightenment, including reason, science, and morality. Franklin used this almanack to promote virtues like frugality, hard work, and self-improvement, which resonated with the Enlightenment's emphasis on personal responsibility and rational thought.
Popular sovereignty: Popular sovereignty is the principle that the authority of a state and its government is created and sustained by the consent of its people, through their elected representatives. This concept emphasizes that the power rests in the hands of the people, allowing them to determine their own political fate and make decisions about governance. It emerged during a time of enlightenment thinking, challenging traditional forms of governance and promoting democratic ideals.
Public education: Public education refers to the system of schooling provided by the government to ensure that all children have access to free and quality education. This concept is rooted in the belief that education is a fundamental right and plays a crucial role in promoting an informed and engaged citizenry. Public education emerged as a response to the need for a literate population, especially during times of social and political change, making it a key factor in the development of democratic societies.
Representative Democracy: Representative democracy is a form of government in which citizens elect representatives to make decisions and pass laws on their behalf. This system allows for a more manageable and efficient means of governance, as elected officials are responsible for addressing the concerns of their constituents. It stands in contrast to direct democracy, where citizens directly participate in decision-making.
Seneca Falls Convention: The Seneca Falls Convention was the first women's rights convention held in the United States in July 1848, marking a pivotal moment in the early women's suffrage movement. Organized by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott, it aimed to discuss the social, civil, and religious rights of women, ultimately producing the Declaration of Sentiments, which called for equal rights and suffrage for women. This convention played a significant role in inspiring future activism and laid the groundwork for the ongoing struggle for women's rights in America.
Separation of powers: Separation of powers is a political doctrine that divides the responsibilities of government into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another. This principle is designed to prevent the concentration of power and to provide a system of checks and balances, ensuring that the legislative, executive, and judicial branches operate independently yet interdependently. This framework aims to promote fairness and accountability within government structures.
Social contract: A social contract is an implicit agreement among members of a society to cooperate for social benefits, often outlining the rights and duties of individuals within that society. This concept emphasizes the relationship between individuals and the authority of the state, suggesting that citizens consent to be governed in exchange for protection and the maintenance of social order. It played a crucial role in shaping political philosophy during significant historical movements.
Thomas Jefferson: Thomas Jefferson was an American statesman, diplomat, and Founding Father who served as the third President of the United States from 1801 to 1809. He is best known for his role in drafting the Declaration of Independence, which encapsulated Enlightenment ideas about individual rights and government by consent, linking his contributions to the broader intellectual movement of the American Enlightenment and the literature and political writing that emerged during the Revolutionary Era.
Thomas Paine: Thomas Paine was an influential political writer and revolutionary thinker in the late 18th century, best known for his works that inspired American independence and democratic ideals. His writings, particularly 'Common Sense' and 'The American Crisis,' played a crucial role in rallying support for the American Revolution and promoting Enlightenment principles such as liberty, equality, and reasoned governance.
Transcendentalism: Transcendentalism is a philosophical and literary movement that emerged in the early 19th century, emphasizing the inherent goodness of people and nature, the value of individual intuition, and the pursuit of spiritual experience over material reality. It connects to the broader Romantic movement by championing personal expression and a deep connection with the natural world, while also responding to earlier cultural movements like Puritan literature and the American Enlightenment, which focused on reason and religious orthodoxy.
U.S. Constitution: The U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the United States, establishing the framework for the federal government and outlining the rights of citizens. It was drafted in 1787 and ratified in 1788, embodying Enlightenment ideas about governance and individual rights, significantly influencing the development of democratic principles in America.
Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom: The Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom is a landmark law enacted in 1786 that established the principle of religious liberty in Virginia, ensuring that individuals could practice their religion without government interference. This statute was a significant step toward separating church and state, reflecting Enlightenment ideas about individual rights and freedoms.
Abolitionism
See definition

Abolitionism is the movement aimed at ending slavery and the slave trade, advocating for the emancipation of enslaved people and promoting their rights. This movement gained significant traction in the 18th and 19th centuries, fueled by Enlightenment ideals of individual liberty, equality, and human rights, which challenged the moral and ethical justifications of slavery.

Term 1 of 30

Abolitionism
See definition

Abolitionism is the movement aimed at ending slavery and the slave trade, advocating for the emancipation of enslaved people and promoting their rights. This movement gained significant traction in the 18th and 19th centuries, fueled by Enlightenment ideals of individual liberty, equality, and human rights, which challenged the moral and ethical justifications of slavery.

Term 1 of 30



© 2025 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.

© 2025 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.