Which of the following was an Enlightenment thinker whose ideas influenced American political thought?
A.
George Whitefield
B.
Jonathan Edwards
C.
King George II
D.
John Locke
The Enlightenment was a period in the 18th century marked by intellectual and philosophical advancements. It had a profound influence on various aspects of society, including politics. In the American context, one prominent Enlightenment thinker whose ideas influenced American political thought was John Locke.
To determine the correct answer to the question, we can analyze each option and its relevance to American political thought during the Enlightenment.
A. George Whitefield: George Whitefield was a prominent figure in the First Great Awakening, a religious revival movement in the American colonies. While he had significant influence on religious thought and practice, his ideas did not directly impact American political thought during the Enlightenment.
B. Jonathan Edwards: Like George Whitefield, Jonathan Edwards was also a key figure in the First Great Awakening. His focus was on religious revivalism and spiritual matters, rather than political thought.
C. King George II: King George II was the monarch of Great Britain during the 18th century, ruling from 1727 to 1760. Although his reign coincided with the Enlightenment period, the influence of his ideas on American political thought was limited, as the American colonies were moving towards ideas of self-governance and independence.
D. John Locke: John Locke was a highly influential Enlightenment thinker, particularly when it comes to political philosophy. His ideas on natural rights, social contract theory, and limited government had a significant impact on the founding fathers of the United States and the development of American political thought. Locke's works, such as "Two Treatises of Government," advocated for the importance of individual liberty, popular sovereignty, and the right to rebel against unjust rulers, which resonated with the principles underlying key documents like the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
Therefore, the correct answer is D. John Locke.
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