3.4 - Philosophical Foundations of the American Revolution

Enlightenment Influence on Colonial Leadership

• Era of Enlightenment: The mid-18th century, coinciding with the maturation of future American leaders like Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, and Adams, was deeply influenced by Enlightenment ideas which emphasized reason, scientific inquiry, and individual rights.

• Deism: Many Enlightenment thinkers, including some American colonists, adopted Deism, which posits a God who creates natural laws for the universe but does not intervene in human affairs. This contrasted sharply with the prevailing Christian view of a God actively involved in daily life.

• Rationalism: Enlightenment rationalism trusted human reason to solve societal problems, promoting a move away from traditional religious interpretations and towards empirical scientific methods.

• Social Contract Theory: Influenced by thinkers like John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, this concept proposed that governments are formed through a pact among the people to ensure liberty and equality, challenging the notion of divine right of monarchs. This idea became particularly resonant among educated Americans, fueling revolutionary thoughts.

Thomas Paine’s "Common Sense"

• Publication and Impact: Published in January 1776, Thomas Paine's pamphlet "Common Sense" profoundly influenced American public opinion towards independence. Paine argued forcefully that it was irrational for a vast continent like North America to be ruled by a small distant island and a corrupt monarch.

• Arguments Against Monarchy: Unlike many contemporaries who criticized the British Parliament, Paine directly attacked King George III and the institution of monarchy itself. His clear and accessible writing made complex ideas understandable to a wide audience, significantly broadening support for independence.

• Role in Revolution: "Common Sense" was pivotal in shifting public opinion from discontent with British policies to active support for separation from Britain. It not only criticized the existing structure but also provided a vision of an independent government based on Enlightenment principles.