Which statement best identifies the impact of the
Enlightenment on the American Revolution? (1 point)
Rousseau’s creation of social contract theory influenced
American ideas on government.
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.
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.
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 correct answer is: Ideas such as democracy, natural rights, and fair government inspired colonists to revolt against the British.
To arrive at this answer, we can analyze the impact of the Enlightenment on the American Revolution. The Enlightenment was a period of intellectual and philosophical flourishing in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries. It emphasized reason, individualism, and skepticism towards traditional authority.
One key Enlightenment idea that influenced the American Revolution was the concept of natural rights. Philosophers like John Locke argued that individuals have inherent rights to life, liberty, and property. These ideas resonated with American colonists who felt that their rights were being violated by British rule. Thomas Jefferson, one of the key figures in the American Revolution, drew heavily on these Enlightenment ideas when writing the Declaration of Independence.
Another important Enlightenment idea that sparked the American Revolution was the concept of democracy. Enlightenment thinkers believed in the idea of self-government and popular sovereignty. Colonists, inspired by these ideals, sought to overthrow the British monarchy and establish a democratic system that would better represent their interests.
In contrast, the social contract theory developed by Jean-Jacques Rousseau argued that the government should have total power. This concept was not influential in motivating the American colonists to rebel against the British. Instead, they sought to establish fair and just government based on the consent of the governed.
Therefore, 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.