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Line 30: − Enlightenment thought, especially the version known as [[Republicanism]] provided the intellectual foundations of the [[American Revolution]]. Thus Thomas Jefferson's [[Declaration of Independence]] (1776) borrowed human rights themes first developed a century before by [[John Locke]]. + +
Locke and political elements of the Enlightenment, this article needs more work. --~~~~
The Enlightenment artistic style is called "classical" (as opposed to the earlier [[Baroque]] and the later [[Romantic]] styles). The Enlightenment marked advances in philosophy, the sciences (especially physics, chemistry and mathematics), economics, political theory, geography (especially exploration), and technology (especially the origins of the [[Industrial Revolution]]), though in fact the greatest achievements in those fields were typically inspired by Christianity.
The Enlightenment artistic style is called "classical" (as opposed to the earlier [[Baroque]] and the later [[Romantic]] styles). The Enlightenment marked advances in philosophy, the sciences (especially physics, chemistry and mathematics), economics, political theory, geography (especially exploration), and technology (especially the origins of the [[Industrial Revolution]]), though in fact the greatest achievements in those fields were typically inspired by Christianity.
Several of America's Founding Fathers were actively engaged in the Enlightenment, including [[Benjamin Franklin]], [[Thomas Jefferson]], [[Alexander Hamilton]] and [[James Madison]], and their political thinking influenced American political ideas of [[republicanism]]. [[Adam Smith]] had a major impact on creating [[classical liberalism]] and the ideals of the free market.
Out of the Enlightenment emerged the new philosophy of liberalism. Thinkers like [[Adam Smith]] had a major impact on creating [[classical liberalism]] and the ideals of the free market. [[John Locke]] is often considered the father of the Enlightenment and wrote several works on social contract theory and religious toleration. Several of America's Founding Fathers were actively engaged in the Enlightenment, including [[Benjamin Franklin]], [[Thomas Jefferson]], [[Alexander Hamilton]] and [[James Madison]], and their political thinking influenced American political ideas of [[republicanism]].
Developed by the [[philosophes]] in [[France]], England, Scotland, and the German states, the Enlightenment influenced the whole of Europe including [[Russia]] and Scandinavia, as well as the American colonies in the era of the [[American Revolution]].
Developed by the [[philosophes]] in [[France]], England, Scotland, and the German states, the Enlightenment influenced the whole of Europe including [[Russia]] and Scandinavia, as well as the American colonies in the era of the [[American Revolution]].
==Politics==
==Politics==
Liberalism ([[Classical liberalism]]) was one the dominate political thoughts to emerge from the European Enlightenment. Writers like John Locke imagined the foundations of classical liberal thought in government and society. In his ''Second Treatise of Civil Government'', Locke expounds on the basic tenets of liberalism such as individual freedom<ref>Locke, John. ''A Second Treaties of Civil Government'', Chapter VII, Sec. 87</ref>, legal equality under the law, and private property<ref>Ibid., Chapter V</ref>. His concept of civil society was one of a contractual agreement between the citizens and a government formed to protect the fundamental rights of all persons<ref>Ibid., Chapter II, Chapter II, Sec. 13</ref>. These ideas provided a foundation for constitutional government and the creation of rights in the private and public sphere.
Constitutionalism competed with absolutism as a source of central, government power beginning the 17th century. In 1688, constitutionalism was codified in England during the ascension of William and Mary to the throne. An English Bill of Rights was also adopted. The French Revolution of 1789 replaced the absolutist tradition of the French Monarchy. American independence established a constitution (originally the Articles of Confederation and later the Constitution of 1787) and articles like the [[Declaration of Independence]] echoed themes of social contract theory.
==Ending==
==Ending==
Politically the [[French Revolution]] of the 1790s ended the movement. Culturally, the rise of [[Romanticism]], with its quest for the unknown future, displaced classical Enlightenment forms, especially in music, painting, literature and philosophy, after 1810.
Politically the [[French Revolution]] of the 1790s ended the movement. Culturally, the rise of [[Romanticism]], with its quest for the unknown future, displaced classical Enlightenment forms, especially in music, painting, literature and philosophy, after 1810.