Influences on the Declaration of Independence
Influence of John Locke
Europe, during the 1700s, experienced a time known as the Age of Enlightenment. This was a time of great philosophical thought, scientific invention, and discovery. Enlightenment thinkers developed new ideas about government that came to influence the founders of the United States. For example, a man named Montesquieu developed the idea of separating political power among different branches of government in a writing called The Spirit of the Laws written in 1748. His idea influenced the founding fathers and eventually ended up in the U.S. Constitution.
The ideas presented by John Locke influenced Thomas Jefferson as he wrote the Declaration of Independence. Locke’s ideas about the sovereignty and the rights of people were viewed as radical and challenged the centuries-old power structure held by kings, emperors, and tribal leaders. In this interactivity, learn about the political views of John Locke. Click on the player button to get started.
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Influence of Thomas Paine
Thomas Paine, born in England in 1737, immigrated to America in 1774. In January 1776, while the colonists were engaged in an open rebellion against British control, Paine produced a 48-page booklet known as Common Sense. In the booklet, he expressed his views on the need for colonists to demand freedom from British rule. Take a moment to view some of the statements written by Thomas Paine in Common Sense.
"…I challenge the warmest advocate for reconciliation, to show, a single advantage that this continent can reap, by being connected with Great Britain…"
"…But the injuries and disadvantages which we sustain by that connection, are without number…"
"…Everything that is right or natural pleads for separation. The blood of the slain, the weeping voice of nature cries, ‘TIS TIME TO PART’…"
"…As to government matters, it is not the power of Britain to do this continent justice…they cannot govern us..."
The Declaration of Independence
By the summer of 1776, the delegates of the Continental Congress agreed that the time had come to officially declare the colonies’ independence from Great Britain. Thomas Jefferson, a Virginia delegate, was assigned the task of officially drafting the document that would explain the reasons for the colonies’ need to separate from England. His writing was heavily influenced by the ideas of Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke, Thomas Paine, and Montesquieu. Jefferson also incorporated ideas from English Common Law, parliamentary systems and blended them with colonial ideas like the separation of church and state that Roger Williams had argued in favor of. In this interactivity, you will analyze the Declaration of Independence.
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Influences on the Declaration of Independence Review
Now that you have learned about the influences on the Declaration of Independence, complete this activity to check your knowledge. In this non-graded activity, follow the directions on each question slide. Click the player button to get started.